Every summer since 1976 local artist Dana Gilpin had been inviting children into her Brookside home studio to create imaginative, whimsical works of art. Two years ago, however, Dana took a break from teaching to care for her mother, who lived with Dana and her husband Jim Wall during a long illness.
“I had to focus on taking care of mom,” said Dana. “I never realized how much energy it takes. During that time, I felt pushed in all directions, so I decided to take a break [from teaching]. But, of course, I wouldn’t have changed anything about caring for my mom,” she added. “I wanted to do that.”
Now Dana is ready to resume her summer art classes. “I really missed the interaction with the kids,” she said. “I love to inspire them and expose them to art. Now, I feel like I have my mojo back,” Dana laughed, “and I’m excited about teaching again.”
Dana feels that children enjoy coming to a real working artist’s studio where they can see what a professional artist does. Teaching from her studio also gives Dana the flexibility to purchase whatever supplies she wants and to come up with interesting projects that are fun for kids.
“I usually have them do a frame-able mixed media piece, a clay piece and a third item.”
Dana finds that by breaking down projects into small steps, even very young children can produce something they will be proud of.
“We do a lot of animal imagery. Kids love animals,” said Dana, who is an animal lover herself. “I try to incorporate my world into my art and teaching. A lot of times, they’re doing the same projects I’m doing and we learn together.”
Children are also attracted to the bright colors and unusual materials such as feathers, glittery foil and jewels that Dana incorporates into both her own art and the children’s projects. “What I try to do,” said Dana, “is make everybody feel comfortable, and I try to take a positive approach with the kids.”
Dana feels that teachers can have a huge impact on children. “You never know what’s going to affect a kid,” she said. “Art is fun and creative and that is a really important thing to get across. My dad was an artist, and when I was in 4th grade, I drew a tree at school. I made my leaves all periwinkle and olive…to me, it looked like the trees in my yard. My teacher said something like, ‘That’s not the way trees look.’ I didn’t want to show it to my dad after that because I thought it wasn’t very good. But he thought it was beautiful and framed it. It made me feel so good.”
Dana wants to have the same kind of positive effect on her students.
“We learn together — I inspire them and they inspire me,” said Dana. “Kids are magical to me.”
Dana’s summer classes are for ages 5 and up, and meet for two weeks, two hours per day, either morning or afternoon. For information, call Dana at 747-4514 or email danagilpin@hotmail.com.
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