How to Become or Find an Art Mentor |
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Mentoring Art AdviceIntroductionMuch has been made of late on the topic of "mentoring." It's one of our latest buzzwords. But what is it really, and how does it relate to fine art painters? Why discuss it at all? There is a compelling reason why I want to address this subject for both the mentor and the individual being mentored. However, before offering that conclusion, I will explore the ins-and-outs of mentoring...what it is, and what it is not. You can compare what you think and know to this writing and see how it fits within the framework of your own life or situation. What Mentoring is NotBefore talking about what mentoring is it helps to know what it is not. To my mind, a mentor is not a teacher per-se. The word teach according to the Cambridge dictionary means "to give someone knowledge or to instruct or train someone". Further, to be a teacher the dictionary goes on to define as, "someone whose job is to teach in a school or college." However, the dictionary describes a mentor as "a person who gives another person help and advice over a period of time and often also teaches them how to do their job." So, it is the role of the teacher to impart knowledge, train or instruct, but the mentor goes beyond teaching to advise another individual over time and implies teaching as it relates to employment or a trade. If we go one-step father, to the word protégé, it says, "a young person who is helped and taught by an older and usually famous person." I would likely conclude that a mentor is one who not only teaches and advises, but one who is older than the person being mentored. However, this is not always the case. On ocassion, a mentor is the younger rather than the elder. Taking the broad technical definitions above and embellishing, there is much more to mentoring that is essential for both parties engaged in a mentoring relationship. Ah, a relationship? Yes! Moreover, this is where we'll delve deeper - into the elements of mentoring. Attributes of a Good MentorWhat constitutes being a mentor? Here is a shortlist of just some of the attributes of a mentor:
EligibilityWhat is it that makes someone eligible to become a mentor? The previous list shows some of the elements and attributes one should possess to be a mentor. Some people are not cut-out to be a mentor. They have no interest in people nor wish to devote time to another individual. That's ok. Not everyone is nor wants to be a mentor. On the other hand, one who has vast experience and wisdom, one who desires to share by passing what they know to a younger generation can be a great contributor and effective as a mentor. How does it Happen?When does someone know that they are in a mentoring relationship? Does it just happen or is it something mutually agreed upon by two people? How does mentoring begin? Who initiates the relationship? How does one seek-out a mentor? Does it happen all by itself, does the mentor tap someone or is it the other way around - that of a person asking to be mentored? Let's continue as these questions will be answered. Types of MentoringSo how does mentoring begin?
Securing a MentorNow that we've seen three different types of mentors how does one go about finding or linking up with a mentor? As shown in the previous notes: either the mentor can approach someone or the individual realizing a need or desire to be mentored can make the invitation. Who Needs One?The answer here is simple: anyone who desires more than teaching alone can provide. It can be for a short duration however, in most cases mentorships are from several months to a lifetime. An Artist's StorySo, what does all this about mentoring have to do with painting? This example from my own experience is about mentoring a budding artist. I once had a private student who since the age of five knew she wanted to be an artist. She took lessons, tried and tried to paint but was not making satisfactory progress. As a college freshman, she declared a major in art. Upon arriving at the college, she found that there was no major in art even though it was listed in the catalog! Disheartened and unable to transfer, she asked an English professor where she could take classes in art off campus. The professor recommended my name. The young woman phoned me, and I invited her to my studio to discuss her situation further. After a review of her work and observing her deep passion to become a painter, I agreed to take her on as a student. I was impressed that she sought resources beyond the confines of college to secure the resources to meet her artistic needs - that's ingenuity for one so young. Her portfolio was weak, but I was willing to explore how her desire in tandem with good training could tap into her talent. We spent weeks on the fundamentals and principles studio art, beginning with drawing. Weeks turned into a year. Great progress was made. On her behalf, I called another local college and spoke to the head of the art department. I told him about this student and was dumbfounded by his response! He asked me if her work was good. I replied that she is just beginning although what I observed so far was weak. His reply was, "Well, you better tell her now. Don't waste her time and yours if she does not have any talent. It would be a disservice to you both." Floored, I thanked him for his candid advice, and proceeded to do the opposite - I continued working with her. An event in my own life precipitated my decision to do so... As a high school student, I made the obligatory visit to the guidance counselor regarding college prep. When I told him I wanted to become an artist, he looked me in the eye and stated, "You can't be an artist - you'll never eat." Upon hearing that statement (which I believed at the time, "It must be true, he's a guidance counselor. They know what they are talking about.") I entered college with an eye on becoming an art teacher instead. I did not have an interest in teaching at the time, but at least I could make a living upon graduation. Back to my story. In spite of the local college's art department head (as much as I appreciated his opinion) I did not take his advice. Instead, I invested my time in this student because of her passion and determination, not because of her perceived talent or lack thereof. I have seen too many people blossom in spite of what others have said and low expectations placed on those who have a heart for art. Although the next year she transferred to another college several states away, she arranged to spend a month in the summer to continue working with me. That is when I discovered that she not only needed more technical training but also guidance and encouragement. It was then that I sensed acting more like a mentor than a teacher alone. Without saying so, I decided to invest my time and experience with her to see where it would lead. Had I mentioned being her mentor, it may have upset the delicate balance of her artistic struggles. Nevertheless, as it turned out, she was hungry for more than the technical side of art and asked me to be her mentor. She posed many questions that were art-related but others were somewhat outside the scope of art itself into the realm of life goals. She went on to another college and we kept contact by phone and letter. She posed questions and challenges to me that she was facing at school such as art marketing and other aspects of being a painter that are not addressed in her academic environment (sound familiar?) I would probe more deeply offering concepts to think about and tasks for her to complete. I watched her grow. She was convinced that her goal was to become a portraitist. The next time she visited for a series of lessons I recommended she study with a particular national painter as well as think about attending a school in New York City which offered her a broad range of master painters to study with. She agreed, and although I was tempted to make all the arrangements for her, I equipped her to do it all by herself with me at her side. This was a major confidence-builder for her and a giant step to move to the City, apply to the art school and secure funding for it all. Again, we communicated frequently by phone and mail to work through issues with instructors, answer technical questions, and discuss her future. It has been over 10 years since I began working with this now 30-year-old woman. She has progressed greatly, carved-out a place for herself and has become an artist in her own right. While we both agree I have been her mentor, she had to do everything on her own and took many people in her life to make it happen. It required determination, patience and perseverance on her part and time, patience and challenges on my part. CautionThe one thing that can scuttle a mentoring relationship is trying to be a mentor to someone of your same sex. I know that sounds funny in today's world. But it is beneficial for you to mentor a man if a man and a woman if a woman. It will keep things on the up-and-up and minimize temptations. In the case of my husband's mentoring the young woman as mentioned above, he was always sure to have other people around when they worked together. To the MentorMentoring, particularly for young people, makes them feel very special, cared about, valuable, needed, and offers them some measure of security. There is a comfort factor when they know that they can pick-up the phone at any time and ask their mentor a question. You will have to draw the line and decide to what extent the relationship will go. However, do not sacrifice the effectiveness or intent of the mentorship by exploring areas that may not be appropriate and could even damage the mentoring relationship. You are a mentor - not a parent. It is not your role to be the parent, it is your role to be the friend and confidant in a way that perhaps parents, friends and other teachers cannot fulfill. You have a very special position in the person's life. A young person (under 21): It can be helpful to be acquainted with their family, parents, and perhaps even some of their friends in a cursory way so you can gain insights as to where they are coming from. Sometimes when a protégé's parents accept a mentor, it can serve to be an incredible support system for the up-and-coming artist that would not have been achieved any other way. You have to know when to put your hands on and when to take your hands off any given situation. You have to gauge and ferret out when it's wiser to allow the student find their own way through a problem while keeping a watchful eye over their shoulder, as opposed to taking on their solutions yourself whatever the issue might be. Seeking a Mentor?If you really learn best one-on-one and feel a mentor is for you. Seek out someone who you admire, trust and can accept honest constructive criticism from. You may only need assistance in one area of your art. Then choose the best person you can find in that topic area. If you are looking for a broader brush (pardon the pun) then find someone who has a more rounded experience in all aspects of the field of art. Once you find that special person who you think you'd have great chemistry with in addition to appropriate skill-set, ask them to lunch and invite them to be your mentor. Don't be disappointed if they say they would rather not, ask them to recommend someone else! If you trusted them enough to ask, you can trust them to give you ideas on where to look next. Once you secure a mentor, you want to get the most out of your experience. I highly recommend that you avoid doing two things. First is, do not act like you know everything. None of us do. And, you don't need a mentor if you already know everything. Besides, this attitude can greatly detract and slow your progress. It is difficult to teach or advise someone who is resistant. Repetition is the best form of learning. So if you already know something simply say, "I've heard that before, but I needed to hear it again. Thanks." Secondly, don't say no to change. Embrace it. You want to improve or learn new concepts right? Then expect to shed old habits in lieu of new more productive ones. The mentor is there to help you. They want you to be successful. They are on your team and on your side. That does not mean you will agree with everything your mentor says or recommends. Nevertheless, give each recommendation a try. You never know what will work for you! ConclusionThere should be mutual respect for one another. A mentor and the one being mentored are equal. One is just more experienced than the other. Mentors themselves were once novices too! At the beginning of this article I said this mentoring is a compelling reason why I addressed this topic. One relates to artists of old. Master painters apprenticed up-and-coming artists. They painted together, talked and the younger listened to the sage advice of the elder. The content and wisdom has been hand down through the years through this special relationship. Therefore, the biggest reason to discuss this is to continue the tradition of not having to re-invent the wheel. Mentoring will see to it that concepts, art techniques, and life lessons are carried through to generations yet to come. I wish you all the best as you either are mentored or become a mentor! Visit L. Diane JohnsonTutorial is copyright of L. Diane Johnson
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