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| directory of teaching artists: LINDA WOLFE |
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I have always been an artist. It has been the one constant in my life that has helped me grow and view the world as a beautiful place. I am a gardener and enjoy reading mysteries. I love to take walks with my dogs, to sip tea, and to spend special times with friends. I grew up in Oregon and was raised on a farm where I learned how to appreciate nature, simple living, and animals.
I fell in love with the process of creating a block print while attending art school. I work primarily with linoleum and wood blocks. I hand print and use my Vandercook No. 2 proof press (Guinevere) and my 908 small press (Paloma). My prints take on a life of their own. Some need to have color added and some need to show their black and white beauty. Art should be available to everyone. Every time we create and offer our art to those around us we are transforming our thoughts into higher ideals for a better world. Describe a transformative process that has occurred in your own practice as an artist or in a past residency as a teaching artist. I was working at a high school with a group of students with specific learning disabilities. It was important to choose an art project that would develop self-awareness and increase self-esteem. I chose a self-portrait idea using printmaking as the medium. We defined a self-portrait, colors, size, and all the art related aspects of a portrait. One student with Autism worked hard on his drawing and his print. He did not speak to anyone during this process. When he was finished printing he held his portrait up high, looked at me, and said, "I finally know who I am." He had tears in his eyes and so did everyone else. I am grateful that 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:
Three Idaho Humanities Content Standards that correlate
with each of the core concepts identified above:
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, humanities, social studies 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. Example 3. Field Journal for biology in the study of flora and fauna References
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 Discipline: Printmaker Phone: (208) 232-2290 Email: JWolf55@juno.com Website: www.wolfeprints.com Special Populations I work with: All age groups - at risk special needs  ICA Artists by Disciplines Dance Kay Braden Joy Esplin LiAnne Hunt Norma Pintar Rachel Swenson Paul Zmolek Theater/Storytelling Joy Steiner Teresa Clark Language Arts Malia Collins Carol Muzik Judy Sobeloff Visual Arts Deana Attebery Tom Bennick Judith Brand Sue Rooke Lizette Fife Helen Grainger Wilson Bernie Jestrabek-Hart Terrie Kralik Jeanne Leffingwell Amy Nack Mike Shipman Jennifer Williams Linda Wolfe Video/Media Arts Peppershock Media |
 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 |