Ted Piltzecker

An artistic statement is an interplay of discipline and freedom. Discipline (form, craft, technique) gives a context to freedom (spirit, imagination, musicality), and vice versa. The challenge for the artist is to perceive this interplay and to skillfully manipulate the relationship between the two realms.

The educational process for the young artist involves the same interaction of discipline and freedom. Stated simply, the student brings imagination to the table, while the artist/teacher contributes knowledge of form and craft. The challenge, then, is for the teacher is to assist the student in both defining a creative idea and in giving it wing - to help give thought to imagination.