The Power of a Teacher

I recently had the opportunity to interview a beautiful, wonderful, talented friend. When I first asked her to tell me a story, I had no idea what to expect. After some thinking, she sent me a beautiful story about the start of her passion for painting.

I hope you enjoy.

And check out some of my other stories here.

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Paintings by Taryn

My first thought I had when I signed up for an art class in middle school was that it would be an easy class where we made crafts and art projects all the time. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was required to take an elective and art class seemed an easy choice.

It was August 2014 when I first stepped into her classroom. The room was covered with art, whether it was printed, made by past students, or she painted it herself. She even painted a picture of Batman next to a full moon on her wall. The curtains hung on each side of her window - which she made herself - were burlap and painted with images inspired by Jackson Pollock. She introduced herself to us as Mrs. Cannon.

She gave the usual teacher introduction, telling us about her family and herself. But she strictly told us this would not be a craft class where all we would do is glue popsicle sticks together and call it art. We would be learning not just about different techniques on painting and drawing, but about famous paintings, artists and what inspired them.

She taught me about pastels, pen and pencil sketching, and other techniques, but painting was love at first sight for me. I loved how, with a few colors and the right perspective, you could make a world of your very own on a canvas. Her passion for art was contagious. She helped me find a part of myself I didn’t even know was there. Four years later, I am still in love with painting and I have her to thank.

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Interviewer: Emily Christine

Storyteller: Taryn