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Tyler Alpern: Teaching Philosophy All levels of students welcome. Everyone can learn to produce art! I have been teaching painting, drawing and design for the State of Colorado for ten years now. During that time I have evolved and grown as a teacher and found that it is what I both excell at and love. I have been at Front Range Communtiy College in Boulder since 1999, and also currently teach at and have taught at The University of Colorado in both Denver and Boulder. I volunteered my time and teaching ability for 2 courses titled Drawing for People with Aids at the Spark Gallery in Denver. Teaching art has made me able to articulate and understand visual concepts much better and as a result my own work has improved immeasurably. Teaching art is particulary rewarding becuase it is so intimate. I work one on one with students and really get to know each one as an indidviual. The work is very intense. I help students find ways to access and better express some of their most personal thoughts and emotions. Each class period I design has a particular lesson I want the students to learn and thus I leave my class knowing the students reached a new milstone or realization, and that they are excited by what they are acheiving. It is immensly sastisfying. I very much enjoy working with adults. I find that the students who come to a community college are often more enthusiastic to be in school because they are making more of a sacrifice to be there than those at a traditional university. That in turn inspires me to work especially hard to give students an experience worthy of their sacrifice and effort. I am very proud of my classes, take extensive notes on them so yet I can improve them them every time I teach so I grow as a teacher as well. I push hard even for non-majors who may be “taking this class for fun.” I want even those who do not eventually become artists, to learn to think in the manner of an artist and perhaps find a deeper respect to the field. For all, especially those who become artists, I try to share as much knowledge as I can, as soon as it is appropriate, and challenge everyone to try harder and have high standards and expectations of their own work and craftsmanship. I have learned that the higher my expectations I have for my students, then the stronger their work is, especially from beginning classes. In fact, some students have produced rather remarkable pieces, yet, each semester I still find myself amazed by the quality of artwork and enthusiasm for artmaking from novice artists. That encourages me to not be easily satisfied, so I push hard. I design my classes so students acquire skills in a logical order, yet early on have the independence to develop their own ideas and styles. I stress learning the skills and materials of the craft but also expect students to find an artistic voice. I guide my students as they learn the mechanics and force them to be creative and develop creative ideas. I want students to be excited by making art even while they are learning technique. If they are not excited by my class then they will not continue to study art, so I take that part of my job very seriously. I encourage students with much positive reinforcement and can always find something good to praise even when I am pointing out weaknesses and helping them to find ways to improve their work. On the first day of painting class, I inform my students, that even though this may be a beginning class, I expect masterpieces and from most of them I will get masterpieces. I stress learning the skills and materials of the craft but also expect independent work. I want students to be excited by making art even while they are learning technique. If they are not excited by my class then they will not continue, so I take that part of my job very seriously. The first level painting class I have been teaching for the past few years is of my own design. My painters are required to complete the first five learning projects I assign although I do not give a letter grade for them. It is a time of experimentation and investigation. I want the students to learn what paint does and not to worry about how the finished product ultimately looks or is graded. I give them permission to fail or to ruin something. This freedom allows students to push their work and the medium’s boundaries. Then as they become more independent, they will be able to make educated, rather than just safe, choices about the paint. I guide my students as they learn the mechanics of painting and force them to be creative and develop creative ideas. I realized that I never learned about creativity from any of my art teachers in my education so I try to find ways to incorporate it in my classes. Students are also reminded that art is a form of communication. They explore expressing ideas through imagery and the paint itself, and are required to develop a vocabulary to discuss and write about their art. In my drawing classes I seek a balance between teaching the skill of rendering what is seen, the qualities of drawing such as mark making, and learning to draw what is imagined. I use many types of exercises from traditional to nontraditional and continually challenge students to try new ways of drawing and thinking. I want students to discover the art in drawing, while perfecting the mechanics and skill of drawing. Again they are given the freedom to create really awful drawings while they determine for themselves how they want to use drawing as their art form. They are challenged in ways beyond their expectations and often are pushed beyond their own comfort zones when they enter my class.
References From Students
My students know me as a teacher, better than anyone else. Here are some of their emails to me: 2008: I just wanted to write to let you know how good of a job you are doing there at FRCC. I have been kind of bored here at CU artistically and have been thinking of how great your classes were. I just applied for some scholarships using the portfolio I built in your classes, and I received four of them. I owe most of that to you, I feel like I built such a strong eye in your classes that it doesn't matter if the classes here are not so great. 2008: ... I'm doing great here in Providence. My favorite thing about the city is the wealth of untouched Victorian architecture everywhere - so grandeur and elegant, a worthy trade off for the mountains I try and tell myself. I am very busy, but loving every bit of it. Its a little strange being the oldest one in all my classes, but certainly palatable. Too bad Tyler isn't here though! He is better than any professor here. FRCC is extremely lucky to have him.
Thu, 25 Nov 2004 Hi Tyler,
Do you teach drawing in the summer at FRCC or CU?
In case you don’t remember me, I took Drawing and 2D Design from you in 2002. I finished up with the Multimedia Technology degree last May. And, yes, you were the best teacher that I had at FRCC. Everyday as I go about life I have an appreciation for my surroundings - the designs, the colors - and you are the reason that my thinking will never be the same. Perhaps I need to take another class from you. I wanted my son, who is 17, to take your drawing class.
-Jill
4/3/2005
I want say that your class had a huge impact on me. Not only did I learn more than I could have imagined, but your class was one of the first art courses in which I was able to express my creative side. More than anything, I greatly appreciated the fact that you never made me feel bad about my work and that you allowed me to learn through making mistakes. You encouraged me consistently while maintaning high expectations. ...I trust your judgement and would be most grateful for your guidance.
Niki
4/27/05
Thanks again for all your help this semester. I seriously appreciate your passion to teach it comes across. I have never learned and seen improvement the way I did this semester with you. Thanks.
Ruston
Wed, 5 Nov 2003
I just interviewed someone looking for a marketing job who said she was taking a painting class. I inquired where, and it turns out she's a student of yours and thinks you're the greatest art teacher on the planet. Anyway, small world department.
Bob Morehouse
Sun, 17 Aug 2003
I don't know if I've told you but you have been one of my most influential teachers in art. I especially appreciated how good you were to me in 2D class because I was just beginning and at that stage where getting the wrong teacher (McIlhenny for example) would have crushed me. You helped give me the courage to keep moving forward in a new a scary place.
Patti
12/12/2003
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your class. I love that you were always honest with everyone and you weren't afraid to say when you didn't like something. That only makes you a better teacher. You really helped me with your advice, especially on the cat. I'm sorry to have become so frustrated and unable to work, but sometimes that happens, right?
Anyways, thank you again for being an incredible teacher. You are someone I will not forget.
Michelle
Here are some student comments taken from course evaluation sheets: Fall 2001 Fine 1013 Beginning Drawing This was an outstanding class – the best on the subject I have had and far superior to other art classes I have taken at CU. Tyler is not just an artist, but a very effective, prepared, experienced excellent teacher. He struck a perfect balance between structure and freedom. Tyler taught me to accomplish drawings that amazed me – everyone’s work seemed to improve dramatically over the course of the class. Great individual attention. Very clear, encouraging and helpful while also “demanding” in a very positive way. Get this guy to teach more (Drawing 2)! Tyler was a good, I mean great teacher. He taught me how to utilize my fullest drawing skills. I learned more from him in the first months then I ever learned with any other teacher in my life that I have ever encountered. One of the best instructors I had while at this university was Tyler. He was very attentive, very patient and helped me improve my drawing by leaps and bounds! Not once during my tenure in the Environmental Design School did I receive such thorough instruction. The teacher is a great person! I’m glad I had the chance to be his student. Tyler is a great teacher. I learned a lot from Tyler. Tyler was amazing at helping me understand all of the little rules of art. The lessons were well thought out and he was always willing to help without a lot of pressure. You didn’t have to be an amazing artist…as long as you tried hard and attended classes. Great class! Tyler is a wonderful teacher, and I’m glad I had the chance to take a class with him. I learned more from this course than many of my other courses! I loved seeing every student improve throughout the semester.
Design 1 Art 131 Fall 2001 Tyler obviously has enthusiasm for the subject and that excitement is getting projected to and shared with us. Tyler is a very talented artist and very organized instructor. I have bragged of everything I learned in this class to my peers and instructors. Tyler’s method of teaching is very effective because every assignment led to the next...I would definitely take more courses from Tyler. Excellent class, great learning experience and very challenging also. One of the best classes I have taken at FRCC.
Design 1 Art 131 Fall 2000 I learned a tremendous amount in this class. I took the class as requirement that fit my schedule but have been delighted with the class. Tyler does an excellent job of teaching, challenging the students and creating enthusiasm. This man is a natural born teacher who has a wonderful command of his subject. Tyler is a great teacher who is very passionate about what he teaches. I learned a lot from him not just about the subject matter, but about being actively engaged in a classroom that requires a lot of interaction. He has an excellent sense of humor...Him and his artwork...have been a great influence. I have had a wonderful semester. This class is awesome! And the instructor teaches it very well. The techniques that I have learned in this class will last a lifetime. I really enjoyed the class. Tyler managed to teach a lot of different things without getting stuck on one thing. He gave us a great overall view of design. This class has been challenging yet very interesting. I have learned a great deal in this class and Tyler is an excellent instructor. He genuinely cares that his students understand, learn and excel.
Beginning Painting FA 1200 Spring 98 Tyler is an incredibly motivating and dynamic instructor. The class was exciting and we were encoruaged to produce excellent work even though it was a first painting class for most of us.
The instructor was one of the best I ever had.
The class was one of the best classes I have taken in my college career.
Tyler is an awesome instructor.
Life Drawing FA 4020 Summer 97
Tyler’s teaching style is an exciting and refreshing change. His exercises are direct and helpful. His wit and skill are greatly appreciated.
Tyler is a great and dynamic teacher, ready to help and answer your questions.
Tyler is a great instructor with an excellent sense of humor and a great overall attitude.
Excellent approach to the course.
Beginning Painting FA 1200 Spring 97
As an instructor - he is an incredibly inspiring individual.
Tyler is an excellent instructor - having been at Metro, I have to say he is head and shoulders above most of the others I have encountered. Creativity was strongly encouraged.
...Tyler’s relaxed atmosphere and the way he allowed us to learn at our own pace without pressure.
Beginning Painting FA 1200 Fall 96
Very good class, helped me to learn at my own pace.
Time to paint what we wanted instead of strictly assignment based compositions.
A clear schedule of work, great assignments.
Beginning Painting FA 1200 Spring 95
The instructor rules!
Drawing 2 FA 2000 Fall 95
Tyler Alpern is a wonderful instructor and he presents the class with a series of assignments that are diverse and challenging. He assists the students according to their individual needs and is flexible and open minded. He encourages students to try things that are out of their comfort zones.
The instructor encouraged creativity and did an excellent job of encouraging me to push my ability to the limit.
This was my second class with Tyler Alpern and I will jump at the chance to take another. He is an excellent teacher and made learning things fun.
Got to be more creative than in other classes. Fun. Fun. Fun.
Links to Student Work:
Resume and Press Click here for Curriculum Vitae
Education:
1990 M.F.A., Creative Art, University of Colorado, Boulder. Doctoral Fellowship.
1987 B.A., Studio Art, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California. Uhlmann Scholar.
1986 Temple University Abroad, Rome, Italy.
1985 American University of Rome, Italy. Outstanding Student Award.
Additional Study: 2001 Computer Design: Adobe Illustrator 9.1 and Photoshop 6.0, Front Range Community College, Boulder. 1986 - 89 Ceramics, Drawing, Painting Workshops, Anderson Ranch Art Center, SnowmassCO. 1988 Ceramics and Life Drawing Courses, Colorado Rocky Mountain College, Aspen, CO.
Employment:
2001-Date DRAWING & PAINTING INSTRUCTOR, University of Colorado, Boulder, Continuing Ed., Art Dept., Libby RAP. 1999-Date Part-Time INSTRUCTOR, Front Range Community College, Boulder. 1998 DRAWING INSTRUCTOR, Spark Gallery, Denver. 1994 - 2000 HONORARIUM FACULTY, University of Colorado, Denver. 1988-1990 PAINTING INSTRUCTOR, University of Colorado, Boulder. Summer 1989 “CAPO” or COORDINATOR of the Student Internship Program, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy. 1986-87 RESIDENT ADVISOR, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA.
Exhibitions:
2007 A-Z, UMC Gallery, Univeristy of Colorado, Boulder. 2007 Art on the Range, Great Frame Up, Longmont, CO. 2007 Tyler Alpern, Boulder Pride, Boulder, CO. 2006 Wine Show, Tastes, Denver, CO. 2006 FRCC Part-Time Faculty Show, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO. 2006 Open Show, Next Gallery, Denver, CO. 2006 Intuition Vs. Intention, UMC Gallery, University of Colorado, Boulder. 2005 Clay, Paper, Paint, Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO. 2004 Storytellers: Fact or Fiction, UMC Gallery, Univeristy of Colorado, Boulder. 2004 Lessons in Art, Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, Colorado. 2003 Technically Speaking, UMC Gallery, Univeristy of Colorado, Boulder. 2003 Line + Color = Alpern + Carilli, Boulder Public Library. 2003 Man Show, Curated by Clare Cornell, Core Gallery, Denver. 2003 Wide Open, Core Gallery, Denver. 2001 Nuts and Bolts, Invitational Group Show, The Dairy Center for the Arts. 2001 Tyler Alpern, Cliffside, Nantucket, Massachusetts. 2001 The Dream Mill, curated by Simon Zalkind, Lakewood Cultural Center. 2001 Wide Open, Group Show, Core Gallery, Denver, Colorado. 2000 Inaugural Fine Art Exhibition, curated by Simon Zalkind, Lakewood Cultural Center. 2000 Tyler Alpern, Cliffside, Nantucket, Massachusetts. 1999 Tyler Alpern, Cliffside, Nantucket, Massachusetts. 1998 The Box Show, Invitational Exhibit, Ron Judish Gallery, Denver, Colorado. 1998 Tyler Alpern, Gingerbread Square Gallery, Key West, Florida. 1998 Tyler Alpern, Cliffside, Nantucket, Massachusetts. 1998 The Artifact Project (Italy and Australia), Exhibit and Book, Dwight Davison. 1998 Art Aids, Group Show, University of Colorado, Boulder. 1997 Tyler Alpern, Old South Wharf Gallery, Nantucket, Massachusetts. 1997 Nantucket Places, Cliffside, Nantucket, Massachusetts. 1997 Faculty Show, Group Show, Emmanuel Gallery, UCD, Denver. 1996 Open Your Eyes, Juried Group Show, Boulder Public Library. 1996 Faculty Show, Group Show, Emmanuel Gallery, UCD, Denver. 1996 Art AIDS, University of Colorado, Boulder. 1996 Tyler Alpern, Cliffside, Nantucket, MA. 1995 Faculty Show, Group Show, Emmanuel Gallery, UCD, Denver. 1995 Tyler Alpern, Farfalla, Aspen, Colorado. 1995 Legend of the Sun Virgin and Other Stories, Solo, Andrew J Macky Gallery, Boulder. 1994 Faculty Show, Group Show, Emmanuel Gallery, UCD, Denver. 1994 Caste of Stone, Juried Group Show, Boulder Public Library. 1994 Me Again, Solo Show, Beans, Boulder. 1993 Hetero/homophobia, Group Show, Boulder Artists’ Gallery. 1993 Boulder Flow, Juried by Michael Crane, University of Colorado, Boulder. 1993 Tyler Alpern, Solo Exhibition, Beans, Boulder. 1993 My Very Best, Group Show, Boulder Art Center. 1993 Oils and Pastels, Group Show, Off Center Gallery, Arvada, Colorado. 1993 Laughing Place, Group Show, Off Center Gallery, Arvada. 1993 Portraits and Scapes, Group Show, Eclectic Art, Denver. 1992 Tyler Alpern, Solo Exhibition, Aria, Boulder. 1992 Summer Auction, Group Show, Hassel Haessler Gallery, Denver. 1992 Art Against Aids, Group Show, 23 Parish, Denver. 1991 My Very Best, Group Show, Boulder Art Center. 1991 Roaring Fork Annual, Juried by David Floria, Aspen Art Museum. 1991 True Confessions, Group Show, Boulder Artists’ Gallery. 1990 Four Play,Four Artists in Search of an Exit, Old Core Gallery, Denver. 1989 Casa Ceramique, Juried by Roberto Juarez, Tavelli Gallery, Aspen. 1988 Roaring Fork Juried Exhibition, Group Show, Aspen Art Museum. 1988 2nd Annual Salon de Large Paintings, Juried by Roberto Juarez, Tavelli, Aspen. 1988 Hilaria, Two Person Show, Alpern Studio/Gallery, Aspen.
Collections:
Monique Currie, Nantucket, Massachusetts. Kathleen Tucker, New York City. Joel Lichtenwalter, Los Angeles. David Cohen, Denver. Bob Morehouse, Boulder. Harvey Hauswirth, Australia.
Articles, Papers and Books Mentioned in:
Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide, Nov/Dec 2006 Gay L. A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, And Lipstick Lesbians, by Lillian Faderman & Stuart Timmons, 2006, pg 307. Daily Camera, Boulder 6/16/93, 8/17/03, 10/26/03 5/16/04 Time Out New York 2/22/01 The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket, Mass 8/21/'97 The Nantucket Beacon 8/20/97 Key West The Newspaper 10/23/98 Miami Herald 10/23/98 Colorado Daily, Boulder 12/6/87, 12/13/91, 6/18/93 Aspen Times, 3/20/88 From Carmen Miranda’s Fruit to Wonder Woman’s Cape: Latina Stars, Iconic Representation, and Artistic License, Ingrid E. Castro, Northeastern University
Blogs Mentioned in:
CAMP DAVID MARCH 2007 by David del Valle, Mad About the Boy, http://filmsinreview.com/Features/CampDavid/campdavidMar07-04.html Complacency is the Enemy of Study: No Regrets, November 2006, http://littleredbookthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/11/is-there.html Arroyo Chamisa by Alex Gildzen: December 2006, Bruz, http://arroyochamisa.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html Oberon's Grove: April 2006, Remembering Makiko, http://oberon481.typepad.com/oberons_grove/2006/04/index.html Louise Brooks Society at LiveJournal - Bruz Fletcher, Tue, Mar. 7th, 2006, http://louisebrooks.livejournal.com/159260.html
Recent Press: From Edge Boston by Alan Ilagan, Feb 23, 2008:
lpern utilizes time-honored painting techniques while portraying a modern-day sensibility. He is a Picasso of the Pop World, reveling in and condemning our celebrity-obsessed culture and all of its colorful shortcomings. He also poses timely questions on identity, gender, and beauty in his work, challenging long-held notions on what is pretty, and turning traditional representations of male and female forms on their heads.
Each of his pieces tells a story, often many stories - spinning off one another, ricocheting back with new ideas and slants, and creating an ongoing dialogue within and without the work itself. Under Alpern’s touch, the simplest of scenes lend themselves to grandly elaborate tales, replete with psychological back-stories and symbolic gestures of stunning accuracy. He adroitly captures moments of human interaction, invoking those fleeting connections we make as we fumble through life ~ the awkward laugh of a suitor, the seductive glint of an eye, or the vaguely mournful gaze of a solitary bystander...
He showcases the freaks of the world ~ our everyday grotesqueries ~ and his genius is the way he manages to simultaneously criticize and celebrate their uniqueness. His way with color highlights the gaudy and garish nature of many of his subjects, serving to challenge the eye and question where real ugliness begins and superficial delights end.
He will sometimes present a gross distortion of form and figure, yet the expressions and stances remain accessible and universal, and he finds beauty even in his most hideous imagery. The bored countenance of a dinner party attendant or the attention-getting antics of a budding drama queen - these are brilliantly conceived and executed. It’s the eye for clever detail and minutiae of subtle visual cues that may be Alpern’s greatest asset. CLICK HERE to read the whole article'
By J. Gluckstern, Camera Visual Arts Critic August 17, 2003 It may, indeed, be a digital age, but the art of painting perseveres — even thrives — for one big reason: Paint is a sensual medium that stimulates both eye and mind. That's part of the premise of "aLpern + CarilLi = Line + Color," an exhibit of new paintings by Tyler Alpern and Catherine Carilli now on display at the Canyon Gallery in the Boulder Public Library. It's also what makes this show worth a look. Alpern takes a more narrative approach, often filling his subtly suggestive scenes with stylized caricatures. "10 of Hearts Was Good," for instance, captures an entire menagerie of social card players in their least flattering and most garish moments. In "Isaac," part of his "Falling" series, a woman tumbles down a flight of stairs, heels over head, while the pearls from her broken necklace fly in all directions. While the ostensible "stories" of these paintings might veer toward the unpleasant (and, in the case of "Bar Scene," even the grotesque), the paint itself is luxuriously applied, a seductive dance of color and texture on the canvas. This is particularly evident in "Coppertone," an oil that depicts a white woman rubbing suntan lotion on a black man's back. It's easy enough to read a sexual tension into the relationship between these two characters, but what's more satisfying is how Alpern renders the scene. The rich and variable blues of the water shimmer and collide, the flesh tones mingle and merge with the sand, and Matisse-like patterns blossom throughout the composition.
By J. Gluckstern, Camera Visual Arts Critic October 26, 2003 While the concept of innovation probably has some bearing on virtually any occupation these days, it's been an integral part of being an artist for centuries. But, especially in a gallery situation, viewers are seldom given an idea of the specific technical and aesthetic hurdles an artist may have had to overcome in order to produce the work on display. That's definitely not the case in "Technically Speaking," the current exhibition at the University Memorial Center Art Gallery, which presents not only the recent work of eight local artists but also some sense of the individual breakthroughs involved in the creation of each piece ... the show offers some interesting insights into process that even non-artists should be able to appreciate. For example, painter Tyler Alpern, who also curated the show, demonstrates some intriguing and unconventional methods of representing depth, contrast and contour in several pieces depicting the Maroon Bells. | ||||||||||||
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