Teaching Artists Directory

Artists in residence
      directory of teaching artists: LINDA WOLFE
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  Describe a transformative process that has occurred in your own practice as an artist or in a past residency as a teaching artist.
My transformative process happened at an art show. A woman I did not know shared with me that one of my art pieces was helping her deal with her husband’s death. I was overwhelmed and amazed that my art could actually touch someone so deeply. I realized that “my” art was not just about me. Often I wonder, “Can I make lots of money, will I be a success?” Now I realize that maybe my art can bring an awakening, a healing and a purpose to other people. Maybe it will wake me up to a new awareness of life, healing and peace. It did and I am grateful that in some way I can make people happy. I can teach with love, create with honesty and help heal emotional wounds.

When have you been able to recognize learning taking place?
During the creative process, starting with the idea, research and the final product. I remember one of my students was carving a very complicated block. He kept saying “I can’t do this, I can’t imagine what it will look like”. In spite of his complaints he kept carving. This student was learning. He did not give up and was proud of his final print.

What excites your imagination and in turn how does your work excite imagination for your audience?
I am always excited by the power of new ideas, observations and personal discovery. My excitement and imagination becomes a part of my audience thru communication and my works of art. Children excite my imagination.  They are so innocent and always bring a fresh feeling to life.  I never want to forget the special magic that we can add to our teaching and to our art.  I hope my students and art observers can experience a spark of excitement and connection to a special part of who they are.

What characteristics mark a successful collaboration for you?
Knowledge – sensitivity – communication – positive and successful art experience – respect

How do you foster creativity, both in your own work and as a teaching artist?
Engaged learning – self discovery – developing a meaningful balance of art.

Three key understandingsof this discipline are:
  1. Acquiring knowledge about the historical and cultural value of printmaking and learning to recognize how it applies in today’s society.
  2. Interpreting relief printmaking thru vocabulary and image.
  3. Combining technique, form, composition and expression into a structured skill level.
Outcomes of the three understandings are:
  1. Understand the purpose of printmaking past and present.
  2. Identify and discuss the value of printmaking.
  3. Acquire skills of technique ­ concepts and materials.
Three Idaho Humanities Content Standards that correlate with each of the core concepts identified above:
  1. Discuss the historical and cultural contexts of the visual arts.
    Standard 1: Historical and Cultural Contexts, Goal 1.
    1. Compare and contrast key differences and similarities in art works from different time periods or cultures.

  2. Conduct analysis in the visual arts.
    Standard 2: Critical Thinking, Goal 2.1
    1. Examine the visual arts as a form of communication.

  3. Demonstrate skills essential to the visual arts.
    Standard 3: Performance, Goal 3.1
    1. Acquire and use skills necessary for applying arts techniques, media, and processes.
Vocabulary words that relate to this discipline:
Printmaker, relief printing, carving, negative, positive.
Bench hook, brayer, carving tools, gouge.
Linoleum blocks, wood blocks, ink, barens, proof press, reduction prints.
Registration, proofing, burnishing tool.


Subject areas outside of the fine arts that relate to potential residency work include:

Math, science, history, biology

Example 1. Use a famous artist such as M. C. Escher in a math investigation using prints. Symmetry, angles, shapes, patterns, radius and much more could be used.

Example 2. Creating a book identifying historical people, places, etc.


References
  1. Steve Weeg, Executive Director
    Health West Inc.
    P. O. Box 2377
    Pocatello, ID, 83206
    (208) 232-7862
    sweeg@healthwestinc.org

  2. Rebecca A. Thorne-Ferrel, Education Resources Coordinator
    Idaho State University
    Campus Box 8096
    Pocatello, ID, 83209-8096
    (208) 282-2195
    thorrebe@isu.edu

  3. Dr. Martha Martin,  Dean
    Pocatello Community Charter School 
    995 S. Arthur Ave. 
    Pocatello, Id. 
    83204  208 478-2522 
    martha.martin@pccs.k12.id.us


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Linda Wolfe
Discipline: Printmaker

Phone: (208) 232-2290

Email: linda@wolfeprints.com

Website: www.wolfeprints.com

Special Populations I work with: All age groups - at risk ­ special needs

Linda Wolfe art work





Idaho Commission on the Arts- Teaching Artists Directory

Phone: 208/334-2119 or 800/278-3863 Fax: 208/334-2488
Mailing address: P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0008
Street address: 2410 North Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, ID 83712