Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Twisted Tuesdays - Teacher Turned Student

teacher student 1
This isn't going to be the usual Twisted Tuesday style post. I am not sharing any behind-the-scenes info from Totally Twisted or new jewelry or new beads. Ya know, I am finding myself venturing off topic a lot on Twisted Tuesday, but I am really really okay with that. Life can be rather twisted at times... so as long as there is good content, I am going to keep calling it Twisted Tuesdays.

Today's twist is where I tell you about the ways I am finding myself turning from Teacher to Student. We have talked a few times over the past year or so about the ways in which I am making more of an effort to listen to whispers my heart is telling me (something prompted by Kelly Rae Roberts's book, Taking Flight). You might remember that I had been wanting to take up running again, and I did it last summer! I am also doing simpler things like taking some of the pressure off that I put on myself to be constantly doing something. So, a nap under the maple tree in the back yard on Sunday afternoon was had, and it felt wonderful.

A whisper that has been growing for a while now has finally risen to a shout and I need to follow it. I want to *learn*. I always loved school, even though socially it was extremely difficult for me. The pencil and paper aspect of learning new things was, and still is, something that gets me all a flutter. I love to read, to experiment, to take notes, and draw conclusions. Going back-to-school though isn't something in the cards though, and even if it was, it isn't the kind of education I am actually drawn to now. The type of classes that get most excited these days are "e-courses". It started, who-knows how long ago, from the many, many, many art blogs that I follow. Countless (okay, maybe not countless, I just don't feel like actually counting) artists have started sharing their knowledge and experiences in online workshops. They are relatively inexpensive, their topics are as varied as their creators, and I think, I hope, they can truly inspire.

So, I have gone back and forth... what kind of e-course do I want to take? This summer I have signed up for two. The first is for the month of June, it is Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Roberts. You may have noticed the badge I added for it on the sidebar over there. At first glance, you might think "Kerry, you already have a successful creative business, what do you need that course for?" Well, I will tell you... 1) I love Kelly, and I wish we were friends, so there is a stalker level to my wanting to take her class, LOL. 2) I have been able to make my bead business soar, now I want to do it for my mixed media art as well. 3) I am eager to learn more about licensing too. (I don't know that it is something I would ever do, but it intrigues me.) The course started over the weekend and I must say, two days in and it already has me thinking about so much. I have a journal devoted just to this and I am finding it so helpful to get my thoughts and feelings out.

The second course I signed up for just today. I have been really wanting to take a photography course. I missed the sign ups for one in particular that I really really want to take, but I know this one will be a great starting point and a fun adventure for summer. I enrolled in Picture Summer with Tracey Clark. It is a 30-day photo project and I am so excited and ready to be inspired by it. I have this freaking stinking awesome camera and I feel like I am only scratched the surface of what it can do. Now, granted, this class isn't going to teach me to use it, but it will get me off my butt to use my camera more. With practice comes expertise, no? I toyed with the idea for a few minutes that I might take July off from blogging and just do a photo a day to coincide with the project. HA! Me not run my motor-mouth for a whole month, who am I kidding?

So there ya go. The teacher in me is becoming a student and I am taking some summer e-courses. What plans do you have set for the new season?

teacher student 2

8 comments:

Brandi Hussey said...

Kerry, you eloquently summed up my desire for learning, too. I'm fascinated with e-classes myself, and am finishing the first of two I'm taking so far this week.

The second is Flying Lessons - I'm your classmate, too! I hope we both find what we're looking for out of this class.

Unknown said...

Thats great you growing and blooming the way your heart tells you and whispers you to go. Otherwise time passess and we become like a dwarfed tree that barely produces fruit. The world is at your fingertips!

Cindy said...

Kerry, there are just SO many wonderful eCourses, it is so hard to chose. Unfortunately for me the choice is easy....since I have no time, I do not sign up!!! The one with Kelly Rae was so tempting, I'll admit. I'm occassionally popping in to a Vintage Gluebook class that is wonderful, but again I don't keep up because I just don't have the free time for it. I am also seriously eyeing Stephanie Lee's metalsmithing course in August...how can I pass that one up? :-)

Shannon of HAPPINESS IS said...

I love that quote. Thank you for the inspiration today :) xo

Amy F said...

Cool recommendations! I'm going to try out their free summer photo mini-class but I'm intrigued by the photo class you are taking. I don't scrapbook (another hobby!?! egads I'd have to sell the house) but i'm dying for some photography inspiration. maybe that will be the kick in the rear i need

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

Flying lessons is my first e-course as well. It is perfect due to my overseas status and little one at home. I will have to take a peek at the other e-course you mentioned.

lisa oram said...

Yay, Kerry! You are going to have so much fun! It's sort of what I've been doing (and writing about on my blog.) I call it "my own personal fake grad school." I have found that thinking of myself as a student (of many teachers) allows me to take my learning seriously. And it's been great. Your photos are already awesome; I can't wait to see what you come up with in the class. Enjoy!

joann said...

Hi Kerry,
I'm taking the "Flying Lessons" e-class too. Only 2 classes and I already love it. It's making me think about things I've been trying to figure out for a while...and I may actually get them figured!! A lovely little course to start the summer off...