Artist-Art Teacher statements follow these two student drawings.
Why I Am An Artist
Art takes me into uncharted waters. I always knew that I wanted to be an artist because I saw how Visual Art affects people by evoking emotion. I love experimenting with color, form and texture, because making Art is an emotional experience. It is pure joy discovering new ways of combining the elements of design to get an entirely new visual effect. My paintings, drawings, political cartoons and murals must provoke new thoughts and ideas within my brain. It is then I know that I have communicated something to those who see my work. It is that approbation which drives me.
Why I Became A Teacher (student gallery follows)
I always wanted to help people.Growing up in an extended family home, I was trained to respect and help my grandparents. This translated to my VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) experience on a Montanan Indian reservation. I left my home in Boston and finished my Fine Arts Teaching degree in Chicago. I started out at Academy of Our Lady in the Beverly section, but had to leave teaching to make a better living. I was an insurance rep, a fund raiser and a manager, but Teaching Art drew me back and I have spent the last twenty-four years in the Chicago Public Schools. I met the challenges of changing times by producing creative student exhibits at unusual venues, placing gifted students in special programs,presenting at an Art Educators conference, painting murals and teaching new media. Looking back, it was alot of fun, but most gratifying has been meeting old students who are now in a Visual Art career. Though retired from the CPS system, I still teach, because there are children-and adults-who need me.
Reuven Robinson,
Muralist- Art Educator
The following STUDENT GALLERY is art work from grades Kindergarten to eight, Lorenz Brentano Math and Science Academy, Officer Donald J.Marquez Charter School, Bessie Shoesmith, Edward Bridge, Emiliano Zapata and Alexandre Dumas Elementary Schools.
"My Neighborhood", composite of Styrofoam block prints by 3rd graders.
Father's Day card (with real tie) by 2nd grader
Postcards of Chicago sights, by Alexandre Dumas Elementary students, grade 5. These cards were sent to students in a missionary school in Africa, as part of an Art exchange program.
TOP: Thanksgiving backdrop for 3rd grade student play. BOTTOM: More art exchange postcards of Chicago sights, by the 5th graders.
metal craft: tooled locomotive
Chicago Swing Bridge
Drawn under an Oppenheimer Foundation Grant, "Bridging the Chicago River".
texture fish drawings, grade six
Aztecan-Mayan Warriors
student, grade seven
