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Marvin Mattelson · 12-14-2003, 06:07 PM

Thanks Renee,

It's always nice to know that some people actually choose to read my words. I'm quite certain that my smiling face functions as a do not enter sign for others. I seem to have a great talent for polarizing people. They tend to either agree what I have to say or take it personally. It's one of side effects of being passionate.

I think if you make it to one of my classes you'll find it interesting. I love painting and I love to talk about it so teaching is a ntural outgrowth.

Many of my theories seem to run counter to what the vast majority of other teachers have to say. Other teachers tend to not like this about me. I think many very good artists don't really understand what it is that makes them good. They may have great intuition which, I feel, they've developed in spite of what they were taught.

When good artists are invariably asked to teach or write a book, they fall back on perpetuating, what I like to call, the myth (mis) information that they succeeded in spite of. So when I hear what is offered as gospel, it's difficult for me to kind of go along and not ruffle feathers for the sake of maintaining some level of decorum.

It's hard to keep myself from interjecting when I believe that there is the possibility that others may be led astray. Lately though, I have tried very hard to keep myself in check and simply allow those, such as yourself, the opportunity to hear my message and at the same time avoid draining confrontations with those who don't agree with me and never will.

I have observed first hand that in all areas of life, the vast majority of people don't know what they're doing. I think that this is true for doctors, accountants, plumbers, definitely polititions and certainly teachers of art.

So when people inquire about my teaching, I advise them that if they aren't able to study with me, they can always study with another teacher and simply do the opposite of what they are told. People quite often laugh at this silly little notion of mine. After all I am a pretty funny guy..

I look forward to hooking up one day.

12-14-2003, 06:07 PM	#32
Marvin Mattelson SOG Member FT Professional '04 Merit Award PSA '04 Best Portfolio PSA '03 Honors Artists Magazine '01 Second Prize ASOPA Perm. Collection- Ntl. Portrait Gallery Perm. Collection- Met Leads Workshops Joined: May 2002 Location: Great Neck, NY Posts: 1,093	Thanks Renee, It's always nice to know that some people actually choose to read my words. I'm quite certain that my smiling face functions as a do not enter sign for others. I seem to have a great talent for polarizing people. They tend to either agree what I have to say or take it personally. It's one of side effects of being passionate. I think if you make it to one of my classes you'll find it interesting. I love painting and I love to talk about it so teaching is a ntural outgrowth. Many of my theories seem to run counter to what the vast majority of other teachers have to say. Other teachers tend to not like this about me. I think many very good artists don't really understand what it is that makes them good. They may have great intuition which, I feel, they've developed in spite of what they were taught. When good artists are invariably asked to teach or write a book, they fall back on perpetuating, what I like to call, the myth (mis) information that they succeeded in spite of. So when I hear what is offered as gospel, it's difficult for me to kind of go along and not ruffle feathers for the sake of maintaining some level of decorum. It's hard to keep myself from interjecting when I believe that there is the possibility that others may be led astray. Lately though, I have tried very hard to keep myself in check and simply allow those, such as yourself, the opportunity to hear my message and at the same time avoid draining confrontations with those who don't agree with me and never will. I have observed first hand that in all areas of life, the vast majority of people don't know what they're doing. I think that this is true for doctors, accountants, plumbers, definitely polititions and certainly teachers of art. So when people inquire about my teaching, I advise them that if they aren't able to study with me, they can always study with another teacher and simply do the opposite of what they are told. People quite often laugh at this silly little notion of mine. After all I am a pretty funny guy.. I look forward to hooking up one day. __________________ Marvin Mattelson http://www.fineartportrait.com [email protected]