Can you be a nontraditional student and not be at a regular school?

I think the answer is yes to this.

Since I started (re-) learning pottery and painting, (and soon: weaving...) part of me does feel like I am back in school. I have been doing research, reading books, and now plan to learn more with a private teacher at the Pots Place.

I will be taking a class from Bob Brigl, who is a Pots Place master potter.

I think just knowing I have a class and going at least once a week will help me make more progress. It's always too easy to say, "I have _________ (insert excuse here) to do instead..." and that is a cop-out, really. It prevents progress on art and anything I want to learn.

But it is so easy to say. Things just can get in the way if I let them. So... my solution is that I am going to MAKE time for art this year, not just talk about it. My plans are going into action.

I have a great book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron that I also will be looking at again this year. This is a great book to help artists get back on track with their art.

For many years, I was a graphic artist, working with different printing companies. True, I got to make logos and printed pieces, which can be very creative. But there is something about fine art that I have always thought was more lasting.

Back to my projects this year, which include weaving, painting, and pottery. The motto is Just Do It or Make Yourself Do It.

Like many other nontraditional students, I am taking a class in order to become more skillful, but also to have a good time.

Memphis Marsha (Marsha Heidbrink) here in Bowling Green, Kentucky had a studio where lots of artists and students could learn art from many different teachers. What a great idea. I do miss Marsha. I wish I had known her even better. I think her gallery is still open, and I plan to visit there soon to find out for sure.

If you are currently in a class, are you having a good time with your classes? Or are you studying so you can have a good time later? Or maybe you are just now considering going back to school or taking a class.

Just wondering. Leave a comment!

More links:
The Pots Place Studio and Gallery
Memphis Marsha's Art Studio
Artworks in Bowling Green, Kentucky - a Visual Arts Coalition (I am a member here too).

More later!

-Betsyanne
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog 
Join Nontrads on Facebook 
Nontrads on Yahoo  and
Nontrads on Twitter

Nontrads and User Groups - a great combination

Hi again, fellow nontraditional students.


I recently wrote a posting here on the Nontraditional Student Blog about Computers and Nontraditional students. I talked about how hard it is sometimes for nontraditional students to learn about computers. Here they are, in school, and they HAVE to know computers. It can cause some real problems for them.

Their fellow students have grown up with computers, but they haven't. They might not even be able to type very well. What can they do?

I had a great comment (thanks, Tina) about this blog entry. Here it is:

It is really hard for a lot of older people going back to school to get the hang of using the computers. We just changed our computer systems at the public library and so many people are having trouble adjust from the 2003versions of the Microsoft programs to the 2007 versions. Even our staff, especially the older members of staff are having a hard time. The kids are fine with it because they use it at school. I wish there would be more places people could take computer classes (full-scale besides the short ones we offer at the library) without the high cost that a lot of the colleges are charging.

What a great comment. It made me think. I am in a Microcomputer User Group called BGAMUG. This stands for the Bowling Green (KY) Microcomputer User's Group. It has been around since the first computers came out. Like other User Groups, they have classes for people who are absolute beginners and charge little or no money for them.

These User Group classes would be perfect for nontraditional students. Do you have a local User Group in your area? Do you or somebody you know need computer help?

Here is a good first step - look up your area on this website: the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG) Group Search Page. There's a good chance there is a group near you. Also, try Googling the terms "Computer User Group" and your city or town.

And thanks again for the great comment, Tina. It led to an "aha" moment for people who might really benefit from a good (and cheap!) computer class.

Nontraditionally Yours,

-Betsyanne

My original posting: The Computer and the Nontraditional Student 

My other sites:

The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral

Art in the Park 9

When I was a non-traditional student, I took a Journalism class as part of my English and Allied Arts certification classes (Journalism in the Schools with Professor Bretz).

It was a good class, covering learning how to be a yearbook advisor and/or newspaper advisor. (Or - - as we were warned... maybe both!)

It was fun because I always liked working for the paper in high school, and almost took a job with AP long ago.

As part of a class assignment I interviewed non-traditional art students. I met several who said that they wanted to continue with their art their whole lives, and were so happy to finally pursue their dreams.

One older lady, in late 70's, was a painter. She was very excited about her art projects, and talked easily to other, younger students in the Art Lounge.

It is my opinion that nobody is too old to start going after his or her dream. Talking about dreams, one of mine is to get back into my art. I am lucky to be able to be a non-traditional student at the Pots Place downtown, where I am learning how to be a better potter.

You can see more photos of the downtown Art in the Park event that took place in Bowling Green, Kentucky here at my personal blog site.

A bigger view...

Here's a bigger version of the Fountain Square Fountain.

fountain_primer

fountain_primer
Originally uploaded by betsyanne.

This is the fountain in Fountain Square Park, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. I don't know if this is primer on the statue or not. It is usually a darker color.

When the water is turned on, it is SO beautiful.

Hello to all non-traditional students, who right now are thinking about final projects and grades. Good luck to all on your homework and projects. Write me here on the blog to let me know how you are doing!

Non-traditional students and conventions

I think it's important for non-traditional students to have fun hobbies (hobbies OUTSIDE of school...) The main reason this is important is that sometimes you need to get your mind off of school. Taking a break for a convention (this is the famous Kentucky Concave convention) is healthy. You can take a break and then come back to school or work refreshed.
Do you have a hobby? Can you take a break and perhaps attend a convention once in awhile? I think once a year is the minimum for attending this kind of event. Some people do this a lot.
Want to see some more photos of Concave? They are on my other blog, which is here.