Biography

Missouri State University - Art

Per Course Faculty at Missouri State University
Higher Education
Heath
Draney
Omaha, Nebraska
Heath Draney
Statement of Teaching Philosophy

I have an instinct about where someone’s talents are going. I tend to notice lapses in peoples work and often can relate it to the larger issues of someone’s plans. I tend to create a learning environment which does not domineer but offers the students the chance to learn from each other. I provide lecture, examples and one on one instruction as needed to improve student work. I like to show examples of good design from Art History and relate it to current projects.
My assignments allow students to create, rework, and master skills of drawing and design. I always require students each quarter to recreate a master work and present it as a specific study in a design method. The concepts often involve Line, Value, Space, Composition, Perspective and many others. These master works help students in their own drawing adventures to recognize how to create dynamic compositions. Many of my students begin my classes with little to no Art experience. They always emerge as informed, and uniquely stylistic. Often student’s attendance in my classes has caused students grades to plummet. I have always offset attendance issues with an offer to students to produce extra drawings, which are sometimes even open to the student’s discretion. I am very unforgiving in situations where students neglect critiques and do not have the common sense to make up for multiple absences.
I have been an instructor for a brief time, but in this year I have developed many unique assignments which students have continued to love. I require my students to produce drawings of weather, self portraits, and even cave art to help the beginning artist explore a wide world of subject matter. I encourage students to use pastel, ink, charcoal and pencil to fully explore all mediums as well.