Robert L. Pincus, chief arts editor for The San Diego Union Tribune, interviewed me on my last trip down to the San Diego Natural History Museum. Bob is a great guy with an enormous range of cultural interests. He wrote a beautiful front page article for last Sunday’s (April 25, 2010) newspaper based upon our interview. You can check it out at http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/25/jurassic-art/
Robert must have a near photographic memory. Our conversation touched on so many different subjects, yet his observations remained amazingly precise.
My only correction would be to one of the pull-out quotes. My teaching philosophy is pretty much the opposite of what appears in the article. Here’s how it should have read:
I use the “Chouinard method” of teaching art. That is, I look at what you’re trying to achieve and help you to be better at that. I want you to be the best you that you can be. I have no desire to teach people to mimic my stuff.
Technique is one of the least important things one can be taught in art. It’s also one of the easiest. I began my career as an art mimic. I was known for being able to duplicate any style. I tell my students that style is relatively unimportant, that I can teach them how to do any style in about ten minutes. That’s an exaggeration — but not by much.
Drawing, creativity and problem solving — now those are three important things that are well worth teaching — and learning.
Thank you!! At the forefront of history’s best painters are great draughtsmen. I don’t think this can be stressed enough. “Kids, turn the computer off and pick up a pencil.” I think I just heard some tighty whiteys being soiled at the very thought.