I often talk about the "muddy middle" with workshop participants. It is the phase of most painting projects when the form of the subject is starting to take shape but the overall work feels like a big hot mess. For those of us of a certain age, the muddy middle feels very uncomfortable. We like things to be neat and tidy. Perhaps it comes from several generations that were encouraged (that's the nice way of saying it) to only colour within the lines.
In our first day of art camp at New Humble Community School, it was clear that the young people of today are far more comfortable with the muddy middle than we were. They seem to embrace the uncertainty and imperfections. The results have been both unexpected and delightful.
I've been working with my students on one end of the gym while Heather works with hers about 50 feet away. We get so busy providing guidance and support that we are only able to observe the work being created in the group opposite during breaks. Several times Heather would hold up an abstract piece and my breath would get taken away. She had an equally appreciative reaction walking over to see the trees being painted on my end of the room.
Coming from a public relations background, I worked hard to try to learn the names of the students. Most wore name tags during the camp's five hours, which helped a lot. It also helped to say their name aloud as often as possible. How did I do? Ha ha ha. I'll find out today.
Much like working with young students in Cambodia who speak a completely different language, working closely with kids for just a few hours in collective focus around a project breaks down barriers. Very quickly the individuals begin to express their uniquenesses and personalities.
I was so focused on the process that I took very few pictures. I'll try to take more today to help tell the visual story of these young artists and their creative journey happening in a small country school just south of Calmar, Alberta.
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