A bad teacher squashed my dream. How do I get back on track?

Question:

A bad teacher squashed my dream. How do I get back on track?

I have been an artist my whole life. I'm really pretty good (if I do say so myself. LOL!!) and it has been my passion as far back as I can remember. I've placed in the top 3 at several local art shows, and have had people buy my work a few times.

So I decided to become an art teacher. I went to college, and in the first semester of my Freshman year, my dream got squashed.

I had this professor who was HORRIBLE. Every day he sat us in a circle, put a still-life arrangement in the middle of the floor, and told us to draw. Then after about 5 minutes (not nearly enough time) he would tell us to stop. Then one by one, he would literally tear our art work apart. He would scream and yell about how horrible it was, and then sometimes shred it in front of everyone and throw it at the wall.

He did this every day until we started making art EXACTLY the way he did. Which is the worst thing you can do to an artist. Could you imagine if all art work looked the same? BOREING!!

Additional Details

1 week ago
*** sorry, I ran out of room ***

I know I stopped making art because that Proff. sort of scarred me (I'm a pretty sensitive person).

How do I get my passion back so I can start being artist again? I just dont feel the same without my fav hobby.

THANKS in advance!!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 1 week ago
*** sorry, I ran out of room ***

I know I stopped making art because that Proff. sort of scarred me (I'm a pretty sensitive person).

How do I get my passion back so I can start being artist again? I just dont feel the same without my fav hobby.

THANKS in advance!! It happens to me all the time. Im trying to be a teacher and everywhere I go I have to battle other bad teachers, comments and all the negative things that come with that. Let me tell you that you are not alone and that there are many other people like you in this world. Keep you're head up and keep trying!!. God will bless you and if that is you're dream don't let anybody destroy it. Continue with what you started. Just keep telling yourself that he is not what you want to be. One thing he did teach you...how to deal with criticism. Do what you need to finish with his class, not all of your professors will be that way. Dont worry about it. Is only one opinion and the opinion that matters the most is your own. I had the same thing happen to me. I love art and airbrush, I had done some art projects and my teacher trashed them and said it was not art.
Now as a Hobby/ Weekend Business - I please many people by making my art on shirts. I keeped and had nothing to stop me. Believe me when I say there are going to be obsticles and people to try to stop you. Don't let that happend and continue with what YOU enjoy. What you have to ask yourself is why or how did this one man cause you to give it up in the first place?

It sounds like you believe in your talent and your right of expression. This professor hit a nerve somewhere for you. You need to figure out what that is.

All artist's - whether they be artists, musicians, actors ... - have at least one horror story like yours. It tests you and that's a good thing. It can make or break your resolve.

If you really want to be an art teacher, or artist, nothing will stop you, especially not one nasty old professor who feels intimidation will drive the cream to the top. And that's probably what he was doing.

Conquer your fear.

Need more? Check me at www.shawnshearer.com The nerve of that man!

Draw (or paste together pieces of construction paper) an image of that teacher. Tear it up into little pieces. Then, tape it back together, letting the tears still show, and put it in the center of a poster. Around the edges of the picture, draw or paste pictures of yourself winning those awards. If they were ribbons, staple them to the posterboard. Finally, on your computer type in BIG BOLD LETTERS, "Yes, I am an artist!" or "Yes I can!" or "Artists are unique!" Print it out and make it the caption under your artistic rendering of the teacher. Keep this poster up until you really believe it. Is this happening only to you? Sounded like not! If everyone in your class and other of this prof. classes agrees on this, won't you file a petition, stating what happened and having everyone sign. Then, submitting to your dean. There will be a serious investigation and definitely changes.
Critizing generally hurts. Be wise to pick up some useful comments and ignor the rest. That is the fastest way to learn from pros.