Discovering the Me

Nicole McCauley

University of Florida

I have discovered throughout

my life that the best way for

me to truly know myself is to

periodically look in from the

outside. Amidst the evolution

of my artistic development,

there is an overwhelming

desire to forever grow and

become the true creator in me.

My Cultural Patchwork2008

Sewn fabric, dowel rods, and ink pen22.5” x 17”

Russellville, Arkansas

It was the first time my personal voice

ever came through in a visual work that

matched the passion in my writing. I

now recognize my passion for nature

and art, as well as my job as an

educator and steward of the earth.

According to Lankford (1997), the

restoration and preservation of our

planet is “everyone’s job, everywhere, all

the time” (p. 53).

Industrial Leaf2006Clay and ceramic glaze11” x 4”Russellville, Arkansas

And The Waves...They Crash2007

Monoprint, India Ink18” x 24”

Russellville, Arkansas

I wanted to capture the

ephemeral quality of

the initial monoprint

creation process

through my choice of

subject matter, showing

the ever-changing

artistic ebb and flow of

my favorite part of

nature; the magnificent

ocean. As an educator,

I believe the art room is an ideal place to

investigate our relationship with nature

through subject matter, medium, and process.

Plant2011

Clay and ceramic glaze6.5” x 3.5”

Rogers, Arkansas

Writing was

my first

mode of true

expression

and it was

not until

college that I

found the

strength

contained

within the

visual arts.

My exploration of self

inevitably led me to my

connection with nature. I

had an idea in my head of a

woman becoming one with

nature and although my

initial thought was to create

a painting, I decided to try it

with clay. I suppose, in a

way, it represents a part of

myself. Untitled2012

Clay and ceramic glaze10.5” x 8”

Rogers, Arkansas

Educational theorists, art educators,

and artists have affirmed the

importance of a comprehensive

approach to teaching, taking into

consideration the importance of

building a relationship with the

environment (Blandy et al, 1998;

Lankford, 1997; Neperud, 1997;

Strauch-Nelson, 2012).

Untitled2010Clay and acrylic paint6” x 3.5”Bentonville, Arkansas

Soon, it became time for me to

define exactly what I wanted to say

about the interconnectedness of all

things. Progressive educators like

Gude (2009) have acted upon a

strong pull towards a meaningful

approach to teaching, promoting

creative thinking, personal

identity, cultural understandings,

and the basic belief that what we do

matters. My Glocal Print

2015Pencil and black ink on canvas

24” x 20”Bella Vista, Arkansas

Through my evolution, I have formulated new perspectives on

virtually everything in my life, from the way I teach to the ways I

create, consume, communicate, collaborate, question, and study.

Break The Mold 2; 2015; Black permanent marker on canvas; 16” x 20”; Bella Vista, Arkanasas

References

Blandy, D., Congdon, K., and Krug, D. (1998). Art, ecological restoration, and art education. Studies in Art Education, 39(3), 230-243.

Gude, O. (2009). The 2009 Lowenfeld lecture: 2009 NAEA National Convention/Minneapolis, Minnesota: Art education for democratic life. Art Education, 62(6), 6-11.

Lankford, E. (1997). Ecological stewardship in art education. Art Education, 50(6), 47-53.

Neperud, R. (1997). Art, ecology, and art education: Practices and linkages. Art Education, 50(6), 14-20.

Strauch-Nelson, W. (2012). Reuniting art and nature in the life of the child. Art Education, 65(3), 33-38.

Reclaim2012

Acrylic on canvas16" x 20“

Bentonville, Arkansas