Discovering the Me
Nicole McCauley
University of Florida
I have discovered throughout
my life that the best way for
me to truly know myself is to
periodically look in from the
outside. Amidst the evolution
of my artistic development,
there is an overwhelming
desire to forever grow and
become the true creator in me.
My Cultural Patchwork2008
Sewn fabric, dowel rods, and ink pen22.5” x 17”
Russellville, Arkansas
It was the first time my personal voice
ever came through in a visual work that
matched the passion in my writing. I
now recognize my passion for nature
and art, as well as my job as an
educator and steward of the earth.
According to Lankford (1997), the
restoration and preservation of our
planet is “everyone’s job, everywhere, all
the time” (p. 53).
Industrial Leaf2006Clay and ceramic glaze11” x 4”Russellville, Arkansas
And The Waves...They Crash2007
Monoprint, India Ink18” x 24”
Russellville, Arkansas
I wanted to capture the
ephemeral quality of
the initial monoprint
creation process
through my choice of
subject matter, showing
the ever-changing
artistic ebb and flow of
my favorite part of
nature; the magnificent
ocean. As an educator,
I believe the art room is an ideal place to
investigate our relationship with nature
through subject matter, medium, and process.
Plant2011
Clay and ceramic glaze6.5” x 3.5”
Rogers, Arkansas
Writing was
my first
mode of true
expression
and it was
not until
college that I
found the
strength
contained
within the
visual arts.
My exploration of self
inevitably led me to my
connection with nature. I
had an idea in my head of a
woman becoming one with
nature and although my
initial thought was to create
a painting, I decided to try it
with clay. I suppose, in a
way, it represents a part of
myself. Untitled2012
Clay and ceramic glaze10.5” x 8”
Rogers, Arkansas
Educational theorists, art educators,
and artists have affirmed the
importance of a comprehensive
approach to teaching, taking into
consideration the importance of
building a relationship with the
environment (Blandy et al, 1998;
Lankford, 1997; Neperud, 1997;
Strauch-Nelson, 2012).
Untitled2010Clay and acrylic paint6” x 3.5”Bentonville, Arkansas
Soon, it became time for me to
define exactly what I wanted to say
about the interconnectedness of all
things. Progressive educators like
Gude (2009) have acted upon a
strong pull towards a meaningful
approach to teaching, promoting
creative thinking, personal
identity, cultural understandings,
and the basic belief that what we do
matters. My Glocal Print
2015Pencil and black ink on canvas
24” x 20”Bella Vista, Arkansas
Through my evolution, I have formulated new perspectives on
virtually everything in my life, from the way I teach to the ways I
create, consume, communicate, collaborate, question, and study.
Break The Mold 2; 2015; Black permanent marker on canvas; 16” x 20”; Bella Vista, Arkanasas
References
Blandy, D., Congdon, K., and Krug, D. (1998). Art, ecological restoration, and art education. Studies in Art Education, 39(3), 230-243.
Gude, O. (2009). The 2009 Lowenfeld lecture: 2009 NAEA National Convention/Minneapolis, Minnesota: Art education for democratic life. Art Education, 62(6), 6-11.
Lankford, E. (1997). Ecological stewardship in art education. Art Education, 50(6), 47-53.
Neperud, R. (1997). Art, ecology, and art education: Practices and linkages. Art Education, 50(6), 14-20.
Strauch-Nelson, W. (2012). Reuniting art and nature in the life of the child. Art Education, 65(3), 33-38.
Reclaim2012
Acrylic on canvas16" x 20“
Bentonville, Arkansas
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