16 years ago, a silly little 7th grade student made this silly little doodle of me as a teacher/crime boss. Now he’s a power lifter who taught me more, in three paragraphs, than I learned in grad school.

“Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Rhetoric, Reasoning, and Critical Thinking used to be taught as part of primary education, the obvious basic foundation for any further study. Those fundamental intellectual dimensions are now circumvented almost entirely, and it’s reflected in our society {see my art teacher/philosopher friend Todd Marrone’s The Necessity for Metamorphosis in the American Education System.

You should not have to explain to an adult, for example, what a “straw man” or “ad hominem” argument is in order to assert that their argument is guilty of it {to call bullshit in Murica terms}, but that is in fact the case. The ability for most adults to think in an independent, methodical, fluid, goal-directed manner is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to the health of a complex society. Not having this capacity is crippling to the development of practical intelligence and functioning, and results in susceptibility to the cookie-cutter, follow-the-leader, groupthink bullshit that tragically characterizes our culture.

Modern politics in particular relies entirely on mass ignorance of basic reasoning as well as a carefully-cultivated public gullibility. It takes only the most basic, straightforward, motive-conscious, loose detective work to plainly see that the government is controlled by an oligarchy of bankers, but this is sadly beyond the ken of the average citizen, because they have not been taught or encouraged to think for themselves. They’re assured that it’s a simple case of Donkeys vs. Elephants and that’s it. I’ll go as far as to say they’re deliberately prevented to think critically, because that’s dangerous. As long as they can blame everything on the opposing political party, everything makes sense to them and they’re limited to aimless, irrelevant bitching. Think for yourselves.

Computer Embellished Drawing

You know the old story… Guy teaches art for 15 years. Guy needs a change. Guy takes a job as a 7th grade gifted teacher. Guy struggles to make sense of it all by making ornate illustrations for his eBoard. It’s as old as the hills.

Acrylic & Paint Marker on Skateboard • Private Collection

Do I have something on my face?

Acrylic & Paint Marker on Longboard • Private Collection

In my classroom, the teacher vandalizes the students’ belongings.

Brooke Hoffman • The Philadelphia Examiner • June, 2010

Along with teaching middle school art and being a family man, Todd Marrone is an artist. He relates more to graphic or comic book artists, but still appreciates more traditionally known painters like Picasso. His work is very pop-culture based and is influenced by Keith Herring and John Burgerman. Marrone feels his artistic style helps create a connection between the art world and his students. It appeals to them and gives them a sense that they too can become artists. As a teacher, he has been very supportive of his students; recently he and a former student, now a senior in high school, have collaborated on a series of paintings that can be currently seen at MilkBoy, Bryn Mawr entitled the “Colabyrinth.” Another student, who is currently a sophomore at Drexel, started the Formation Skateboard Company and has worked with Marrone on about twelve different board designs. (more…)

In 2007, Hanna Williams was one of my most talented middle school art students. In 2010, she’s one of my most talented collaborators. We’ve joined forces to create a series of conjoined paintings, join us and enjoy.

Friday, June 4th, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
MilkBoy Coffee Acoustic
824 W. Lancaster Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA

“Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.” – Leonardo da Vinci

English Schoolgirls Reenvisioning my Artwork

As a middle school art teacher, I frequently introduce my students to the work of important artists and assign projects in their vain. Consequently, you can imagine how flattering, humbling and surreal it is to find out that students elsewhere are learning about me.

Here are a few of the annual snapshots that I receive from across the pond.