The Neverending FRUSTRATION

[Mordus]

I cant take it ANY more. Im going to explode. Someone help me blow off some steam and start thinking rationally again before I rip off my teachers HEAD.
I am currently on an Art GCSE course. When I arrived, I was immensely excited. I was in a group of people all dedicated to art and talented into the bargain. I had a (seemingly) open minded and creative teacher bursting with enthusiasm. I had access to a massive art supplies locker.
I was very happy indeed.
Our theme was "The Artists Studio", which we would be guided in by our teacher for about half of the first term before being let free for the remainder of the school year to interpret it as we wished.
Ok, so some time still being told what to do. I could wait. Id waited this long already for some freedom in the studio.
Then it began to go downhill.
Our teacher stamped down on anyone out of line with the topic. He told us we could only use such and such media and draw such and such. We had to conform, basically, and he gave highest marks to those simply drawing crinkled paint tubes.
This subject has such potential, and I have such ideas, but he wont let me express them. When I create art, it is INTENSELY emotional for me. Now I have to continue to splurge out regurgitated scrawls which mean nothing to me, and its killing me inside. I leave the lesson having been told I am an arrogant whiner for wishing to go my own way with the subject.
What makes it worse, is I know hes right, and I must slow down. But I just end up screaming inside, and every art lesson is harder. Im worried I might fall behind if this stagnation and repression continues. I need someone to give me some perspective on this.
And maybe some way of calming down.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Ivory_Oasis]

Don't think of it as "making art"...what you are doing in class is simply "getting better". What you make is only for improving your skill (so even boring things like bunch of perspective work...or drawing a hand over and over again... it is just about getting better, not about the "art' being made).

That is what school is for, to give you the foundation tools that let you create those wonderful things in your off-time (as in, not doing class WORK or studio WORK). When you get out, it will be the same. You will be doing work that you might not enjoy all the time ...boring projects that simply need to be done, with little time and exactly how someone else wants it to be.

In those times, you have to remember the same thing...you are doing it to get better (and to get paid!). Those things are just opening the door for you later on to take the lead in the project... or to work at a better company... to have more control and allow your art to really come out.

So, basically, don't worry about it so much. Just do what they want you to do and do it the best you can...try to learn the most you can... and when you are done, you will be a stronger artist to really be able to create what you want. You have the rest of your life to really "create"... don't stress too much about this one class.

[beastathon]

This is pretty funny. I just finished my high school art course where the teacher would let you make whatever ridiculous connections to the topic and as long as it had a "deep meaning" it was good work. He did not care if you couldn't draw correct proportions, anatomy, or if you couldn't paint for shit, as long as it meant something.

This got me incredibly frustrated because I want to really want to focus on improving my technical skills, I don't think any of my artwork has a meaning and I don't care. We all make art for different reasons and what it really boils down to is that you should do what you want to do. In this case, be grateful that he's teaching you how to improve your skills. Learn from him, but do not let him dictate your reasons for making art and when you come home from class, do some personal pieces and hopefully that will lessen your frustration.

[Arrowroot]

Ha I had a similar issue when i was doing my GCSE's too :3 I actually almost didn't make the grade because I had a head on collision with my teacher. But at the last minute I pulled my act together.

Like others said at this point in your life you are being taught foundations. For the moment just bare with it, and as long as you keep doing those random studies, you can throw in a few personal interpretation's every now and then. Provide they connect in some way shape or form.

Think of it this way... GCSE's are a bridge to get you into A levels where you have more freedom... A levels are a bridge onto Uni and College... where you get to do the more fun stuff :3

Hold strong for now. The freedom will come in time. Just remember to find time for your personal stuff at home and you won't run dry.

[ceddo]

The GCSE program is very focused on developing technical strength. I can understand that you want to express yourself now, and you can do that too, but what your teacher wants is that you show him how well you can represent volumes and shade.

Don't worry, after GCSE my art teachers pretty much let me do what I want.

[WhizBang]

What you think is ART now is a joke. Get over the fact that it has to something oh-so-precious and personal. Ditch the ego and thinking that this is The Man coming down on you and forcing you to do something you don't want to do. Your creativity isn't even being called out here just yet. You're learning a simple technical skill and you're screaming your head off already? GET REAL! You need to have a much much tougher skin than this if you ever think of having ANY chance at making it in the real world.

Quit the emo game here, understand what it is they're asking of you, and just do it. You'll get better only if you allow yourself to become better and have some maturity in this growth process.

[a la bapsi]

http://www.stanprokopenko.com/blog/2009/04/style-fundamental-principles/

When you are in school, it’s better to avoid breaking rules altogether. It’s better to have the boring ‘academic style’ because it pushes for complete accuracy. Trying to have a style can become an excuse for mistakes. Save the self-exploration for the studio. In school, stay focused and study those fundamental principles.
A bit off the mark about your frustrations, but something to keep in mind.
Hang in there, and try to find benefit in everything your instructor tells you to do.

[Mordus]

What you think is ART now is a joke. Get over the fact that it has to something oh-so-precious and personal. Ditch the ego and thinking that this is The Man coming down on you and forcing you to do something you don't want to do. Your creativity isn't even being called out here just yet. You're learning a simple technical skill and you're screaming your head off already? GET REAL! You need to have a much much tougher skin than this if you ever think of having ANY chance at making it in the real world.

Quit the emo game here, understand what it is they're asking of you, and just do it. You'll get better only if you allow yourself to become better and have some maturity in this growth process.

While I understand the angle you are coming from, I feel some sensitivity is needed in the creation of all art, whether simply to learn a technical skill or explore more deeply. Otherwise we reduce ourselves to malfunctioning cameras coated in flesh.
Without feeling life is nothing. If you feel, you live. If not, you probably have nothing to live for.
Also, I found the aggressive and slightly violent way the comment was framed to be offensive.
On a lighter note, I feel much more at ease now. Thank you for your support.

[WhizBang]

While I understand the angle you are coming from, I feel some sensitivity is needed in the creation of all art, whether simply to learn a technical skill or explore more deeply. Otherwise we reduce ourselves to malfunctioning cameras coated in flesh.
Without feeling life is nothing. If you feel, you live. If not, you probably have nothing to live for.
Also, I found the aggressive and slightly violent way the comment was framed to be offensive.
On a lighter note, I feel much more at ease now. Thank you for your support.

Look at some of the less than mature ways you used to describe your hardship:

"I cant take it ANY more. Im going to explode. Someone help me blow off some steam and start thinking rationally again before I rip off my teachers HEAD."

Care to expound upon being "aggressive and slightly violent" to me now? Want to talk about being offensive? Yeah, I had difficult teachers when I was in high school and college but I also knew where they were coming from. They had wisdom, a method for teaching and years of experience over me but I also had the humility and open mind to take what they gave me. At no point did they say for me to be less sensitive; instead they told me what worked, what didn't and more importantly... why. If they tore me down- there was a rationale for it. If you want to do fine art and express your sensitive self, then fine. But enter a commercial world where it's a little more cutthroat and no matter how good you think it is, the client at the other end who's paying you, might hate it.

Deal with the harsh fact that you and your artwork will be judged- whether it's behind your back or to your face. Clients don't care about your emotions; sometimes it's just about doing the job. Your teacher right now is playing the role of "client" as well as trying to instill in you some very very basic drawing skills and you're the one flying off the handle about how he's cramping your style ("We had to conform...", "its killing me inside").

Quite honestly, you don't have the depth yet to be creating grand works of art. You're just taking baby steps in this field. There are immensely talented and experienced folks out there that endure much tougher climates than you and come out of it wiser and better because they've got the skin thick enough to handle criticism, humble enough to hear the other person and be able to glean the knowledge in that person's words.

Feel offended if you must but I speak the truth.