The Art of Teaching Art

Rest assured the artistic talent pool is secure in Carmel’s future …Carmel resident, Jeanne Dalzell is seeing to that. After school, on any given day of the week, aspiring young artists of Carmel can be found in Dalzell’s finished basement-turned art studio, sitting around the table eating cookies and learning the basics of perspective, composition and color. With her help, elementary through high school students learn to create using a rainbow of watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and pencils.

“I encourage the kids to complete many pieces throughout the year and to enter them in juried youth art shows,” Dalzell explains. “We’ve had student’s work shown in such venues as the Indiana State Fair, the Riley Festival and the Carmel Art & Design District.”

Dalzell, an established artist herself, was raised in an artistic family. Her mother and great uncle both graduated from Heron School of Art. “My mom wouldn’t buy me coloring books,” Dalzell explains. “Instead, she would say, “Here’s some paper. I’ll show you how to draw your own.”

Dalzell began teaching art to children in her own family about 15 years ago. She now works with dozens of students each week in group settings. She also acts as an art scholarship judge for Carmel High School and stays busy working on commissioned art for clients.

Passionate about the value of art in everyday life, Dalzell sees the value of art education at an early age. “I tell parents to encourage their children to be artists,” she says. “There are lots of practical applications for art in life,” she adds.

Dalzell, who has lived in Carmel with her family for thirty years, has raised four children with her husband Mike, and is now a grandmother of seven. She never tires of inspiring creative minds, and as all good teachers do, emphasizes practice, practice, practice. “Draw something every day,” she recommends. “Draw something you are passionate about, but don’t do it on your math paper.” For more information about Dalzell’s art or student lessons, go to www.yourartistindiana.com.