Well I finally got around to doing the #tussenkunstenquarantaine challenge myself. Since I was assigning it to student in my upcoming class, I figured I better test it out and give them an example. It wasn’t easy!

Fortunately we have a large Frozen costume collection but I struggled with the lighting, and my daughter Everly struggled with the pose. These compositionally challenges reminded me just how difficult it would have been to paint a child! But most importantly this exercise made me look closely at the work. 

I also wanted to share one of my own responses to the Art in Quarantine Challenge as a way to provide and increase my presence as an instructor. I envisioned this activity as a way for students to get to know each other. What better way for theme to get to know me more too. I think it also demonstrates that I am learning alongside them. What are some other ways to provide and increase instructor presence? Another thing I did to reflect me and my teaching style was to share with them an essay I wrote as an undergrad. It was from an upper level history course I took as an elective and I was lucky enough to have it published in an undergraduate journal. It is about one of the paintings included in our fourth module. Sharing my writing and my learning journey is an important way I can show that I am approachable. 

Over the course of the semester I will probably recreate more works alongside students. Johannes Verspronnck’s portrait of a Girl in a Light Blue Dress (1641) has long been one of my favorite works. And now it is even more special.