"Don't think. Draw."

People come and go through my life, and each make an impact on how I grew up, whether I noticed it or not. But there are a special few who stand out the most, who helped push me in the right direction. 

The biggest influence on the way my life is shaping out would be my art teacher, Linda Carson. 

I started taking classes at her studio, The Big Black Pig, when I was young, and really fell in love with art. I took as many classes as I could and learned as much as I could. She was an amazing teacher and knew how each of us learned and in turn we all learned a lot. She taught me to keep a sketch book. I was taught that my sketch book was not a book of beautiful drawings, but my thoughts and ideas.  

At the beginning of each class we would start with warm up sketches and drawings, to get our hands loose. This is where I learned a lot as these exercises taught me to work quickly and to not be so perfect, to just get my ideas down.

Linda taught me that it was ok to make mistakes. She always had a way of showing me so that I understood what she was talking about. We used to take a blank piece of paper, then draw a picture on it, she would then make us do certain things such as paint over half of it with white paint, and then draw on top of that paint with a new material. I didn't realize it at the time, but she taught me to loosen up and to enjoy making mistakes and failing. I'm very grateful for that now.

She also got to know us all, had new things to teach us each week, made us all feel like amazing artists and was honest when something could be changed. I was taught to look at things a different way, see my world around me differently. Her studio was what I looked forward to each week. It was inspiring just to be standing in it. She pushed the boundaries and I loved her for it. She was truly an inspiration to each and every child that went through there.

I also wouldn't be at Humber if it weren't for another very special teacher, Mr. Waldeck. He introduced me to Graphic Design. I really had not heard of this profession while at school and it seemed too good to be true. Combining my two loves of art and computers for a job. I was shocked. But he taught me everything I needed to get into school. He encouraged me to do my best and to push my limits. He saw potential and knew I could do better. He too was a great teacher, knew how I learned and taught me so that I would get the most out of his lessons. 

Eventually I was pushed to where I thought I would never be in high school. I would never have guessed that in my final year I would be allowed to design the sets for the drama club. It was a great experience. I was taught new tricks and techniques and I was proud of the work I did. I was even more proud when he awarded me the Computer Art award in my grade 11 & 12 years. I was ecstatic and it helped me decide that I might just be good enough to go to school for Graphic Design. 

Without these two very important people in my life, I'm not sure where I would be. But I am glad that they touched my life and helped shaped who I am today. 

There are fewer rules than you think (by Linda Carson)

1. Don't put down anyone's work, especially your own.
2. Don't lick the brushes.
3. No adult slave labour.
4. You can quit but you can't whine.