“Teaching art is not just about technique; it’s about encouraging students to question and explore their own ideas.” – Kara Walker
As an educator at Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan, my teaching philosophy is centered on this belief, that art education should not only equip students with the technical abilities to create but also empower them to think deeply about their work, the world around them, and their place within it.
To do this, I emphasize the creative process over the final product. My goal is to create an environment where students feel free to explore various materials, techniques, and ideas without the fear of making mistakes. I encourage them to experiment, take risks, and push the boundaries of their creativity. I incorporate activities that allow for iterative development, where students can revisit and refine their ideas. This not only enhances their technical skills but also deepens their understanding of the concepts they are working with.
Student work featured below from Stamps Studio 2D, Sign & Symbol, Typography, Drawing Visualization, Making Images with Adobe Illustrator, Intro to Graphic Design and Intro to Watercolor for Non-Art Majors.
I also offer a YouTube channel of introductory watercolor tutorials for beginner and intermediate painters.

Map Design: Sign & Symbol

Table of Contents Design: Typography

Alphabet Poster: Intro to Graphic Design

Map Design: Sign & Symbol

Advocacy Poster Design: Sign & Symbol

Letterpress Studio: Duderstadt Library

Letterpress Studio: Duderstadt Library

Figure/Ground Project: Studio 2D

Figure/Ground Project: Studio 2D

Face Value: Studio 2D

Reimagined Color Wheel: Studio 2D

Psychology of Color: Studio 2D

Psychology of Color: Studio 2D

Exquisite Corpse Collage: Studio 2D

Exquisite Corpse Collage: Studio 2D

Mixed Media Final Project: Studio 2D

3D Type: Drawing Visualization

Droid Design: Drawing Visualization

Visual Narrative: Drawing Visualization

Visual Narrative: Drawing Visualization

Memorial Project: Drawing Visualization

Plein Air in the Courtyard: Intro to Watercolor

Landscapes: Intro to Watercolor

Plein Air Landscape: Intro to Watercolor

Making Images with Adobe Illustrator

Making Images with Adobe Illustrator
