h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm a practicing/exhibiting artist and a few years ago I added teaching art to my 'interesting things to do in my lifetime list'.

Last week I came upon a situation that I feel/hope you may be able to assist me with.

A student (adult, female) was having difficulty progressing with her painting, all my suggestions were answered with excuses why she couldn't do them. I laid out a simple step by step plan for her to approach the block that she appeared to be having and still she stalled. In desperation I insisted that she tell me why she wouldn't at least try my idea, "because I haven't given myself permission to do that" she said.

Now, I am all in favour of getting in touch with the inner self and taking responsibility for your own life etc., but I was stumped with this one. My instinctive reaction was to roar with laughter, this was quickly followed by a visual image of me hauling her over the workbench by the scruff of the neck while steam escaped through my ears, (this image was rather theatrical and a tad overdramatic I admit, perhaps my Celtic origins came into play here)so instead I said "O.K. when you're ready" and walked away.

I felt strangely stunned by the exchange and wondered if I could have handled it better. Any suggestions?

My apologies, I posted in the wrong place. Being a new member and still finding my way about is my excuse. Have re-posted in the proper place.

Scruff o' the neck sounds reasonable.
The only question is why is the is woman there?
Art flows through us, it commands us, it pushes us, until there is no alternative but to express ourselves. If she can so easily cast aside these urges, when so many artists are at their whim - then perhaps
she just doesn't have these urges. Art is the opportunity to commune with the human spirit - and it is not a gift that comes with no responsability. Either she should step up, and give in to creation -
or she should give up. What was it that the wise man said -
"do or do not... there is no try."

You don't say what the class was based on.

In my limited experience the woman in question has a routine on which she bases her life to maintain control. This suggests that in the past she has lost control. From that I would assume that she has a lot of emotional baggage that art would be a great medium for.

Short statements and non-confrontational closed questions could lead her through the maze she has set herself.

If this does not work then you either have to dedicate yourself to extracting the truth or decide to work with the less complex, and ultimately less satisfying, students.

Are you willing, and able, to commit youself to this task?

Very few are because very few come through unscathed.

Keep us up to date.

I suppose that giving her a California drivers license and telling her that she was in the wrong place is out of the question?

This person is perhaps a robot with a real lack of talent. This would explain the 'permissions' problem.
Possibly her creator, or if you will allow, her subconscious, (assuming sentience) will not permit her to paint in case she gets depressed. I suggest the 'ego enhancement' service pack and possibly also the 'get a life you saddo' patch. This should sort her out.

I believe the was man who denied the existence of try was Yoda, the green wrinkled Muppet from Dagobah

I've noticed something amongst those who fancy themselves to be seriously into the 'art student' thing. I was in a life class not long ago, and I was listening to some of the other students explaining their reasons for doing what they felt like doing. Basically, a lot of what was said was a variety of art-studenty rhetoric - the sort of things they ought to say in order so sound enigmatic and arty. I suspect that her comments were a mixture of frustration, stubborness and a desire to do the 'arty thing'. Hell, I like making excuses to explain why what I want to do is far superior to what my tutor wants me to do.

I think that human should just connect brain with heart.
Did you do your best ? if so, you don't have any problem, no mistake has been done. ( Excuse my english, please) . Simply, that person must give up with giving her/him self excuse NOT to do something. See you.

I am sorry, I just changed my nickname in Peter. So, 180874 was me.

Being the tackless, non politically correct, non-beat-a-round the bush person that I am. I would have simply told her how her painting is coming along, good or bad, then I would have said " i get paid weather (< not the right spelling) you progress or not in your painting ability. You paid for the course, it's upto you what you do with it. I will be here if you need questions answered, or help. BUT you will have to decide what you want! I wont do it for you."

But then in some places I am known as a {another name for female dog}.

I'd have most likely have gone for the very mature approach...... laughed in her face and told her to get a life!
sorry, but eople who create the "second person" really get on my nerves..

In my opinion, you handled the conversation very well. Surely, you're not a worse person/artist/tutor because one of your students isn't ready to grow? If she doesn't want your direct help, you'll have more time to spend on your students that DO want to progress. Have fun.

Such a simple problem with so many possible solutions.
Firstly let's assume that you MUST teach her.....then you can not in conscience abdicate your responsibility to see that she learns....in this case, you points to where you think she should go (under alternative conditions the door would be a good direction), and she follows.

Her statement can be described invariably as either:
1. Game Playing
2. Attention seeking.
3. Nonchalance
4. Laziness
5. Artistic expression
6. Anal retentiveness
7. Challenge to authority

If we assume that, say, this is an adult education course and she is not obliged to be there (except to herself having paid the fee... in which case you are also obliged to have her there), then your answer to her is to say 'well, it seems you are not ready yet, so when you are, let me know'...in this case your response was correct. Well Done.

Be sure to make a note of the exchange and bring it to your supervisor/head attention (to cover your own back against allegations that you refused to help her.

Alternatively, ask her to draw/paint whatever a picture of her giveing herself permission to do what you showed her. IF she can not visualise giving herself permission to give herself permission then she clearly need to some conventional therapy to get past the awful life experiences she must surely ahve had to date.
I hope this helps.

I HAVE READ MOST OF THE RESPONSES TO YOUR STUDENT'S INABILITY TO PROCEED, BUT NOWHERE DID I SEE ANYONE ASK WHAT DID SHE GIVE HERSELF PERMISSION TO DO!
NOW TO ME ART IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE RESPONSES IT STIMLATES, SO A PUSSY CAT CAN DO AS GOOD ART AS AN ELEPHANT. EMOTIONS YOU GET WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING TELL YOU IT IS ART MORE THAN THE SKILL LEVEL OR INTENT OF THE "ARTIST". FIND A FEW EMOTIONS IN THE STUDENT. LIKE HOLMES DEDUCE FROM THE GAPS.

You doun't have to scream... We can hear you quite well in small print.