A Journey of Creative Renewal

Kane's wife, Barb (far left) and son, Nathan (far right) accompanied Kane and daughter, Julia (center) on their trip to Italy. Here they are pictured in Florence.

We all feel the need to recharge our batteries from time to time; physically, mentally or professionally. Some turn off their cell phones, take a vacation or go for a run. Carmel High School Art Instructor, Jonathan Kane found a way to take it a step farther; much farther. This past summer, as a recipient of an Eli Lilly Teacher Creativity Grant, Kane and his 13 year-old daughter and budding artist, Julia, traveled to Venice, Italy to draw and paint.

The idea to apply for the grant came to Kane as he watched his daughter paint with incredible self-confidence and spontaneity. Kane explains, “The Italians call it ‘sprezzatura’, which means to make difficult tasks seem effortless.” Kane, who teaches numerous courses at Carmel high school such as Advanced Drawing, Painting, Ceramics and Jewelry, is an accomplished artist himself. He found his daughter’s artistic inhibitions to be quite inspiring. When writing his grant, he proposed that if they could travel together to Italy, drawing and painting together while surrounded by great masterpieces, they would mutually learn from one another’s styles. Kane also anticipated taking this great learning opportunity and applying it to his teaching at the high school. “I find that what I want for my own children is often the same thing I want for my students.” Kane continues, “I not only want them to know and appreciate where they are from, but also to connect with and explore this earth to discover their part within it.”

Kane and daughter, Julia worked extensively in sketchbooks, and took over 2,000 photographs in their travels. Kane’s ultimate goal is to continue learning from this trip by creating works of art alongside his daughter, inspired by their sketchbooks and photos. Kane implements the daily use of sketchbooks with his students, as well, teaching them to get into the habit of observing the world around them and to find inspiration in it. Several Carmel businesses such as Evan Lurie Gallery, The Blue Egg Gallery and Vine & Table Gourmet Market have collaborated with Kane and his students to take their art beyond the classroom and into the community.

Recently, Kane also received a generous grant from the Carmel Clay Education Foundation. Through this Grant, he was able to attend a Gouache Painting Workshop in Michigan. Kane believes that in order to be able to teach art effectively and creatively to his students, he needs to prioritize time in his life for his own art. Kane adds, “I can’t expect creative growth in my students if I don’t find it within myself.”

The talented artist has found a great interconnection between his professional life as a teacher, his passionate life as an artist and most importantly, his family life. Balancing parenthood, his love of teaching and finding time for creative renewal provides a well-rounded life for Kane. “When that starts to happen, the world just makes more sense,” he adds. Kane’s work can be seen at www.jonathankanefineart.blogspot.com.