With one mark — uncovering the artist within

I find my work teaching fine art for Eastern Iowa Arts Academy exhilarating. Most of my students are adults living in senior living communities. Some are dealing with limitations presented by the aging process. Some of them swear they can't 'do art.”

Many claim to have not touched clay to sculpt, linoleum to print or charcoal to draw, since grade school. New people would leave the class unless they were told that this class is for non artists. Those words put them at ease, and they sit down at a table full of supplies, ready to do an art project.

After a demonstration of a specific art process, with materials with which they might not have ever worked, and talking about a theme for their focus they begin. An important part of fine art is not showing a finished piece, this causes them to feel frustrated about how to begin. There is a moment in which they allow themselves to let go and make the first mark. As they interact with the first mark, they are engaged in the creative process.

They begin with a mark or a line or an entire idea on paper, clay, or linoleum to which they can react. It might be a false start, but by making just one mark, they have entered and are engaged in this wonderful process. This frustration creates an answer, and eventually no two pieces look alike. They have let go of their reluctance and have engaged with the material in front of them. The definition of fine art is refining your marks to reflect what is inside of you without interference.

What I see are fully engaged students on a level playing field of learning a new art form. No one is above or below them at the stage they enter. Despite the limitations of aging, I see no difference between these students and any other adult. The beauty of this program is that it surprises me each time I teach a class.

' Michelle Fischer is an artist and art instructor with Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids. Comments: michelle@eiaaprogram.com