Sabbatical: Winter 2008

SABBATICAL PROPOSAL: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In the Fall of 2000, after twenty-three years of a successful career as an illustrator and graphic designer, I became a full-time faculty member at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). In Winter of 2001 I accepted the role of lead instructor of the Graphics Communication Program. Little did I know of the challenge awaiting me — participation in the development and growth of President Marilyn Schlack’s extraordinary vision of the Center for New Media (CNM). Since that time Marilyn Schlack’s vision has come to fruition. The process has been challenging, frequently exhausting, but always exciting.

Prior to coming to KVCC I worked in illustration and graphic design on a full time basis, as well as creating fine art pieces for exhibition. I came to KVCC as an instructor with a wealth of knowledge and skills in art, design, and digital media to pass onto our students. For the past eight years, my primary focus has been teaching the skill-sets needed in “new media” careers, the development of classes and programs for the Center of New Media at KVCC, and the diverse tasks of the CNM Program Coordinator. The writer and film maker, Phil Cousineau, description of “the journey of the pilgrim” in his book The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, New York: MJF Books, 1998, helps to describe the situation in which I, currently, see myself:

 “Pilgrims are persons in motion–passing through territories not their own–seeking something we might call completion, or perhaps the word clarity will do as well, a goal to which only the spirit’s compass points the way.”

I see myself in a territory that is not my own because I am loosing touch with the artist within me. During the past eight years, teaching and the success of the Center for New Media has been first and foremost on my mind, while this is a good thing, through doing this I have begun to loose the clarity of my “creative” self. My purpose for requesting sabbatical leave is to find that “clarity” again, to get back to my center and shore up my confidence. This sabbatical would afford me not only the opportunity to redefine and reignite my creative self, it would help me develop a stronger sense of who I am as an artist, as well as a teacher.  In addition to “the re-centering/rediscovery of self”, it will give me the time and opportunity to increase my skills directly related to the classes I have taught and will continue to teach:

• ART 103 Drawing & Composition (Observation, Traditional Drawing, Design Theory)
• GRD 108 Vector Design (Adobe Illustrator Software, Design Theory)
• GRD 211 Electronic Artistry (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Design Theory)
• GRD 212 Creative Interpretations (Design Theory, Design Developmental Methodology)
• ANG 221 Motion Graphics (Adobe After Effects, Video, Sound, Design Theory)

Ultimately, this sabbatical will allow me to reflect on my performance in the classroom, bringing first hand knowledge and experiences to my presentations, demonstrations and class discussions.

 

OBJECTIVES AND NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION

Narrative Description

I am a fine artist, a painter, trained in traditional media and a self-taught digital artist. My personal research interests are linked to nature and the study of comparative religion. I would like to have the time to develop a body of work created in digital media based on this personal research and interest.

For the past seven years I have led student study-trips to Ireland through the sponsorship of the Midwest Institute for International and Intercultural Education. During these study-trips, even though I was busy with classroom lectures and field excursions, I found that the immersion in the stark beauty of the landscape of Ireland’s western coastline called to the creative aspect of my being. This “call” has led to the creation of several pieces of artwork which focus on the sacred aspect of the landscape. I desire to have the time to continue with this pursuit and concentrate on “only” the creation of this work.

I’m fascinated by what is known as “Celtic Spirituality” because of the undercurrent of the ancient earth religions that one can see in the modern spirituality of the Irish people and its relationship to the writings of Joseph Campbell on the subject of global mythologies. I will travel to the west coast of Ireland to do studio research and related scholarly studies. I will immerse myself in a landscape that has remained untouched by modern consumer culture. There I will have the freedom and the time to explore, experience and create artwork from its inspiration and study. When I return home I will have the time to continue this work in my home studio.  The major themes of the artwork will be environmental and spiritual.

 

Objectives

1. Having Time, Space and Inspiration

The outcome will be an increase in my creative interpretation skills and a finding of my “center”.

The Specific Activities Planned to achieve Objective No. 1: I will travel to Ireland and rent a cottage in the Burren area of County Clare for 4 to 6 weeks. The cottage will serve as my lodging and studio space. This will provide the freedom and time to explore, experience and immerse myself in the landscape. Because of my previous visits to this area as a Midwest Institute Study-trip faculty and the many contacts I have established, a suitable cottage for lodging and studio space will be easy to obtain.

2.     Record the Landscape With Traditional Media

The outcome will be an improvement and increase in my skills regarding Observation, Drawing, Design and Composition.

The Specific Activities Planned to achieve Objective No. 2: While in Ireland, I will record the landscape with drawings, photography and video. These will serve as reference for the production of finished drawings. I will bring the necessary drawing supplies, and digital photography and video cameras. Other drawing supplies, paper and fixatives can be purchased in Galway. Although drawings will be created while in Ireland — I plan on creating more from my photographic reference when I return to my home studio in Kalamazoo.

3.     Creation of a Series of Digital Paintings

The outcome will be an improvement and increase in my skills with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. In addition, the scholarly studies and research will increase my knowledge of world mythologies and religions and deepen my understanding of the major underlying themes that occur.

The Specific Activities Planned to achieve Objective No. 3: While in Ireland, I will create a series of digital paintings based on the inspiration of the landscape and the mindset of “Celtic Spirituality” and its relationship to environmental issues. I will bring the necessary hardware and software needed as well as some research material. I will utilize the research materials available at the Burren College of Art, University of Galway, and Trinity College Library in Dublin. I will utilize the digital scanning equipment at the Burren College of Art or purchase an inexpensive scanner/printer in Galway for my own studio use while in Ireland. Although many of the digital pieces will be created while I’m in Ireland, I plan to continue working to produce digital paintings when I return to my home studio.

4.     Experimentation with Video, Audio and Motion Graphics

The outcome will be an improvement and increase in my skills using Adobe After Effects and an increase of skills in the realm of “Media Arts”.

The Specific Activities Planned to achieve Objective No. 4: When I return to my home studio I will have the time available to creatively experiment with the imagery I have produced and recorded while in Ireland. I own the necessary hardware and software needed for this experimentation.

 

The above Objectives and Activities will enhance my personal effectiveness by:

• Increasing my skill level regarding: 1) Creative Interpretation of landscape, nature, and literature; 2) General Observation, Drawing, Design and Composition; 3) Digital artwork creation using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; and 4) Video and Audio within motion graphics.
• Reestablishing my place as a “working artist” and the regaining of my confidence by totally immersing myself into the creation of art.

 

The above Objectives and Activities will enhance KVCC and CNM to fulfill its mission and/or improve service to students or others by:

• Supporting student goals of achievement and learning by returning to KVCC and the Center for New Media refreshed and more confident in my abilities as an artist and an instructor of “new media”.
• Supporting student and community needs by returning as a faculty member with new knowledge, new techniques and proficiencies to share with students in the classroom and with the community through exhibitions of my artwork.
• Supporting innovation in both personal development and technology by returning as a faculty member with an increase of personal experiences in, and a better understanding of, motion graphics.
• Supporting a learning environment built upon the inclusivity of ideas of all cultures by returning with increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of the consistencies of the common underlying themes seen in the mythologies and religions of the many cultures of this planet.

 

The above Objectives and Activities will provide an opportunity for refreshment of mind and body, creative challenges, and/or incentives for critical thinking by:

• Having the time and opportunity to reflect and find the completion and clarity that I seek after what has been a demanding yet invigorating pace as a faculty member and Program Coordinator of the Center for New Media.
• Having the time and opportunity to seek answers to the following questions found in Jean Houston’s book, Manual for the PeaceMaker: An Iroquois Legend to Heal Self & Society, Wheaton Illinois: Quest Books., 1995.

1. How do we align our own creative capacities with the [universe] in ways, which do not burn us out but serve to grow and green the world?

2. How do we learn to see and hear and feel our way in this world, and in so doing, add to the health and vitality of those around us?

3. How do we renew our spirits to give ourselves a deepened sense of our life’s purpose and the courage to heal what has been hurt and replenish what has been exhausted?

 

The above Objectives and Activities will exceed expectations for routine, ongoing professional development by:

• Allowing the opportunity, place and time to immerse myself in a foreign landscape for 4 to 6 weeks without the usual distractions of my “everyday” life.
• Allowing the opportunity, place and time to have nothing else to consider other than the creative problems that I present to myself and their solutions.

 

EXPECTED DOLLAR VALUE OF ANY GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND OTHER.

I have not and will not apply for any grants or fellowships. I will pay for all expenses relative to this proposal, including transportation, lodging, and supplies.