My Personal Art Education History

By Priscilla Beck A journey through images and text presenting the development of my Art Education Timeline.

The Early Development of my Creative Spirit.

I would rather draw pictures all day than sit in a circle with other children doing structured activities.

One of my earliest drawings around age 2-3.

My Love of Nature and Animals.

I enjoyed drawing animals and creating stories.

Animal Drawing age 6.

The influence of my mother.

My mother is a very creative person and always encouraged my artistic endeavors.

Acrylic painting of my mother, age 14

The Age of the Horse.

The inspiration of horses was a common theme in my art from the age of seven through adolescence. In all of my art classes I wanted to draw horses which sometimes drove my teachers crazy.

Watercolor painting of horses Age 8.

Colored Pencil Drawing Age 16.

Emerging identity developed through Art.

In High School I realized Art was an important part of who I was, and I promised myself to keep it a vital part of whatever I pursued in my life. I started applying for colleges where I could pursue Art.

Watercolor and ink, Depiction of Pink Floyd. Age 17.

My Career Path: Art Education

Initially I attended Ball State University, only to realize I needed more of a challenge. The next year I got accepted into Herron School of Art, which ended up being a perfect fit to help me pursue my artistic endeavors.

Art as my own personal healing tool.

I was involved in a relationship with a man that lead to domestic abuse. The pain caused me to turn to art as therapy. I realized that I wanted to eventually help others to use art as a way to express themselves.

A pastel drawing I created of myself.

Raku fired ceramic figurative sculpture

The Inspirational Power of a child.

When my son Jude was born, he allowed me to see the world from a different perspective. I began to want to give him the best life and it gave me inspiration to provide for him.

My love of teaching young minds.

While finishing pursuing my degree at Herron School of Art, I spent a summer working at a preschool. I was so excited to see the curiosity and enthusiasm that the children had for art.

Finishing my Degree at Herron.

My wide array of studio courses gave me a solid foundation to pursue my future in Art Education.

Self Portrait, Oil on Wood.

Relief Sculpture, Clay, underglazes

My First Art Teaching Job

I received my first job offer as a temporary art teacher at Churubusco High school. This experience allowed me to really understand the power of teaching and realize that I really enjoyed working with high school students. I enjoyed the fact that I could challenge this age group to create art with depth.

A New Chapter: A Husband and a Family

My husband has always inspired me to pursue my artistic and educational endeavors including my pursuit of graduate school at University of Florida.

My own personal style of art making inspired by nature and animals.

My many summers spent in the Canadian wilderness have instilled a lifelong passion for nature and animals. I addressed this while developing my own personal artistic style over the last few years. I believe that as an art teacher I must continue to pursue my own art endeavors. My passion for my own work is imperative to influence my students.

Both pieces are oil paintings created on Walnut.

Heading out West

In Fall of 2012, my family and I moved to Arizona where I got a full time job teaching art at Imagine schools. I am now able to fulfill my lifelong passion for teaching art and motivating young students.

Future Goals in Teaching

I am in the process of pursuing a Masters in Art Education. I hope to eventually teach art at a community college level. I would like to teach Art History as well as a painting or drawing class.