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On Teaching...
As an offshoot of my love for the creative life, I have drawn great joy from sharing my experience with others. Teaching involves using parallel form of creativity - in this case, using visual as well as verbal and tactile communication to get ideas and concepts across to someone else.
Working with students and getting to experience together the moment when they learn a new technique, concept or process, overcome a former obstacle, accomplish doing something they thought they couldn't or see something in a brand new way for them is beyond rewarding... in these moments, I am moved and inspired by my students.
Teaching allows me to share my lifetime's experiences with others - things I've studied, knowledge I've acquired, things I've discovered that work and things that don't, mistakes I've made, ways to problem solve, how I see and think... it is not only a way for me to give back but is also a means to having what I've learned carry on beyond my lifetime.
Rather than having to take time rediscovering for themselves what I've already spent my time learning, students can start where I left off and go that much further. If freely sharing all I know opens up new possibilities for someone else, helps them on their way or eases their learning curves in creativity, I will have succeeded.
Working with students and getting to experience together the moment when they learn a new technique, concept or process, overcome a former obstacle, accomplish doing something they thought they couldn't or see something in a brand new way for them is beyond rewarding... in these moments, I am moved and inspired by my students.
Teaching allows me to share my lifetime's experiences with others - things I've studied, knowledge I've acquired, things I've discovered that work and things that don't, mistakes I've made, ways to problem solve, how I see and think... it is not only a way for me to give back but is also a means to having what I've learned carry on beyond my lifetime.
Rather than having to take time rediscovering for themselves what I've already spent my time learning, students can start where I left off and go that much further. If freely sharing all I know opens up new possibilities for someone else, helps them on their way or eases their learning curves in creativity, I will have succeeded.
On Workshops...
Affectionately referred to by previous workshop participants as "The Poole School," Kristine Poole draws on 20 years of teaching experience to create the most effective, best possible learning environment for every student.
Even in group class settings, she gives individualized attention to each student - comfortably blending group demonstrations with specialized instruction tailored to each student's particular learning style, skill level, needs and areas of interest.
Her workshop teaching style is activity-based: she prefers shorter explanations and demonstrations and more "doing" - after imparting the information for each section concisely and efficiently, she has students jump in, get their hands dirty, then assesses where they are and works together with the student to improve.
She teaches 2-day to 2-week group workshops and private intensives focusing on her techniques for creating full-figure, large-scale fired clay sculpture as well as short specialty workshops on a variety of topics. She also lectures on clay sculpting, creative problem solving and the business side of art.
Even in group class settings, she gives individualized attention to each student - comfortably blending group demonstrations with specialized instruction tailored to each student's particular learning style, skill level, needs and areas of interest.
Her workshop teaching style is activity-based: she prefers shorter explanations and demonstrations and more "doing" - after imparting the information for each section concisely and efficiently, she has students jump in, get their hands dirty, then assesses where they are and works together with the student to improve.
She teaches 2-day to 2-week group workshops and private intensives focusing on her techniques for creating full-figure, large-scale fired clay sculpture as well as short specialty workshops on a variety of topics. She also lectures on clay sculpting, creative problem solving and the business side of art.
Upcoming workshops
For the past few years, my creative work has been focused on commissions and public artworks. I am looking forward to returning to teaching again shortly. Given the numerous requests for instruction from students around the world, I am currently developing a format for cyber-workshops wherein I can offer an interactive workshop for anyone in their own studio space. If you are interested in being included in email updates when these classes will be available and further schedule information, please email me or use the contact form and indicate that in the comments section. Click here to link to the "On Teaching" page, where there are numerous articles I've written about working in clay.
What People Are Saying...
"Kristine Poole provided a wonderful three-day workshop for 13 members of the The Santa Fe Community College Clay Club in June 2015. She brought numerous images of a target female model for our class to use as reference in our half- or three-quarter-size full body sculptures. These images included actual measurements from the model. She gave us a great introduction with a footprint drawing of the sculpture to answer the first important question of "How do I start?". Throughout the sessions, she had materials to help us in the construction process and was familiar with their advantages and disadvantages compared to the many tools and techniques that are currently available.
"Probably most important was her interaction with the students, many beginners, as they worked with their sculpture. She was open to the many directions that people took as they made personal aesthetic decisions over the course of the workshop. She had constructive suggestions when technical issues came up and possible solutions to the nagging thought of a student that, "Something doesn't look right here!" In some cases she spotted the troublesome area to be actually away from the focal area. She encouraged us with stories, alternative perspectives and personal insights.
"I felt that I made considerable progress in our workshop as I continue to explore the world of figurative sculpture. In my particular case, I learned how to correct the facial features I typically sculpt to be less masculine and more feminine. My finished piece is currently on my back patio with filtered sunshine casting shadows over the figure during the day. It's a keeper.
"In short, Kristine is a uniquely talented and gifted artist who is fully capable of sharing her extensive knowledge with students. She is a hard worker, has a friendly personality and a generous spirit. I would encourage anyone interested in having her do a workshop to consider a full week of this intensive instruction."
Cheryl Hoagland
President, SFCC Clay Club
"Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge and experience - I hope I can do justice to the time you spent with me!"
Kate Willett
"Thanks for sharing. I learned so much in 3 days. Thank you for all the attention, assistance, and great instructions. I really enjoyed the workshop."
Victor Teng
"Your content was powerful and spot on. I am impressed with all the work you did to prepare for this presentation and educate the students. Thank you for your commitment to our future artists and designers.”
Mechele Hebrook
Professor Emeritus - Design
Santa Fe Community College
"I learned more from you in one weekend of instruction than in an entire semester of classes at school."
Vivian Huotari
"Thank you so much for talking to my students. Your presentation was very insightful and thought out, I know they got a lot out of it and will be thinking about what you said for a while. It is good for them to look up once in a while to see where the road could lead. Thanks again for taking time out of your very busy schedule. "
Elizabeth Hunt
Associate Professor
Santa Fe Community College
"I want to thank you for an incredibly inspiring workshop ---- loved every minute of it. It just wasn't long enough ---- I would have liked to have gone right on and started another one, this time more true to the model, and this time obeying you in every way. I don't agree to obey very many people!
"You were amazing ---- what a great teacher. You took such interest in making sure everyone was progressing and your techniques are just wonderful. You obviously made an impact because there were so many people, myself included, who had never done a whole figure before. I had previously done some torsos starting with just a slab tube and poking out the boobs and hips, but that doesn't compare to what we did in this workshop. I was just so thrilled to get all the transmissions from you --- very empowering. Thanks again!"
Squidge Lane
“Someone would learn more in listening to you for one hour than someone else for days.”
Nicole M
“Some speakers are very casual in their approach; some come in, throw their business cards on the table and ask if there are any questions. And some, like you, actually teach.”
Mechele Hesbrook
Professor Emeritus - Design
Santa Fe Community College
“You are very eloquent and you present material in a very simple way that’s easy to understand.”
Maria G
Kate Willett
"Thanks for sharing. I learned so much in 3 days. Thank you for all the attention, assistance, and great instructions. I really enjoyed the workshop."
Victor Teng
"Your content was powerful and spot on. I am impressed with all the work you did to prepare for this presentation and educate the students. Thank you for your commitment to our future artists and designers.”
Mechele Hebrook
Professor Emeritus - Design
Santa Fe Community College
"I learned more from you in one weekend of instruction than in an entire semester of classes at school."
Vivian Huotari
"Thank you so much for talking to my students. Your presentation was very insightful and thought out, I know they got a lot out of it and will be thinking about what you said for a while. It is good for them to look up once in a while to see where the road could lead. Thanks again for taking time out of your very busy schedule. "
Elizabeth Hunt
Associate Professor
Santa Fe Community College
"I want to thank you for an incredibly inspiring workshop ---- loved every minute of it. It just wasn't long enough ---- I would have liked to have gone right on and started another one, this time more true to the model, and this time obeying you in every way. I don't agree to obey very many people!
"You were amazing ---- what a great teacher. You took such interest in making sure everyone was progressing and your techniques are just wonderful. You obviously made an impact because there were so many people, myself included, who had never done a whole figure before. I had previously done some torsos starting with just a slab tube and poking out the boobs and hips, but that doesn't compare to what we did in this workshop. I was just so thrilled to get all the transmissions from you --- very empowering. Thanks again!"
Squidge Lane
“Someone would learn more in listening to you for one hour than someone else for days.”
Nicole M
“Some speakers are very casual in their approach; some come in, throw their business cards on the table and ask if there are any questions. And some, like you, actually teach.”
Mechele Hesbrook
Professor Emeritus - Design
Santa Fe Community College
“You are very eloquent and you present material in a very simple way that’s easy to understand.”
Maria G