Santa Rosa Junior College

Claire B. Cotts, The Flood
acrylic on canvas, 36" x 48" 2000-2005

Artist Statement

My paintings are personal narratives, fragments of stories exploring ideas about faith, relationship, vulnerability and hope.

Teaching Philosophy

“To teach is to learn”

One thing I love about teaching…I get to learn so much!

I attended art school at a time when technical skills weren’t emphasized. Despite having a MFA in art, I managed to graduate without out knowing some of the most basic of art-making skills: how to create perspective in a drawing, how to stretch a canvas, mix colors, use a palette knife, etc. When I began to teach at the SRJC in 1996, I really wanted to focus on giving a strong foundation in drawing and technical skills. I don’t know if it is possible to teach anyone how to “be an artist”, per se.
Each student has their own voice and vision – What I do try to give are the technical skills to enable students to better express themselves in their own artwork.

www.clairebcotts.com
New work and events: clairebcotts.blogspot.com

FACULTY SHOW 2009: Recent Work by SRJC Faculty

Artist Statement

Teaching Philosophy