About Me
I enjoy traveling, specifically road trips. I’ve been to 34 of the 50 states but I haven’t traveled abroad, yet! I live in a skoolie with my partner Blake, our cat Frank, our pup Mammoth and our hens.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Photography from the Art Institute of Colorado
Why I Teach
I teach because Photography allows people to have a voice and express their thoughts, feelings and perspectives in a visual way that fuses Art and Science. It documents time, stories, and opens the door to witness other voices. I teach because I want our students to see that potential and their voices to be heard.
Currently Available Courses
Advanced Darkroom
Designed for students with some existing experience and knowledge in taking, developing and printing photographs, this course aims to consolidate existing skills and develop new ones to enable students to make a coherent body of photographic works which consider audiences, genres and professional contexts. The course content will be driven by the interests of individual students, to broaden their practical understanding and skills in photography as an art mediumIn this class.
Art History
Art History offers a mix of art and history that’s more than just memorizing dates and names. Spanning cultures across all continents and from prehistoric to contemporary times, in this course you’ll explore the different social and cultural beliefs, political and economic systems, and scientific and technological advancements that have led to the creation of well-known sculptures, paintings, buildings, and many other types of art.
You will be:
- Evaluating works of art from different eras and cultures
- Seeing connections to artistic traditions, styles, or practices in a work of art
- Developing a theory about the meaning of a work of art and explaining and supporting your interpretation
This class is a lecture and research based art course.
Darkroom 101
Darkroom 101 will introduce you to the art of film photography, darkroom processing, and photo printing. You'll learn everything from best practices and equipment usage to understanding the basic mechanics of fine art printing. We will cover the concepts of editing and composition. You will develop your film, create contact sheets, create your own prints and participate in group critiques. You’ll leave with an understanding of proper usage of equipment and chemistry. Along the way, you will develop your own personal style and visual narrative. The goal of the intro class is for you to feel comfortable and confident in the darkroom!
Digital Photography
Digital Photography is a trimester introduction to the digital camera as an art-making tool designed for students at the beginning level. The course will use digital photography to help students learn and apply the basic elements of art and the principles of design. This course will also provide students with opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills in the field of photography and the use of Adobe Photoshop, Bridge, and Lightroom.
History of Photography
Photographs can provide glimpses into lives past, long-ago events, and forgotten places. They can help shape our understanding of culture, history, and the identity of the people who appear in them. Photography has been utilized in these ways, and perceived as both an art form and a tool. Photographs can also be powerful tools for telling stories and chronicling events. Their context and presentation can greatly influence the way we understand everything from historical narratives to current cultural issues and situations. This course is a one-trimester survey of photography from its prehistory to the present. Course readings, lectures, and demonstrations will address photography’s multiple histories: as artistic medium, as social text, as technological adventure, and as cultural practice. We will view images made by important contributors to photography’s histories, as well as images that are important less for who made them than for their power within the discourses of mass culture. We will also learn about various technical processes, the camera’s evolution, and the vocabulary and issues of photographic theory and criticism.
Video Production
Introduction to Video Production is a trimester course for students who have taken Film Studies, by Dr. Hawkins. This course is for students interested in creating their very own short film. Students will write an original screenplay, build a crew, shoot and edit their short film projects so as to apply what they have learned. Students will expand their knowledge of artistic and technical terms, techniques, and skills inherent in the visual medium of film. We will study elements of composition and cinematic language, and apply these concepts effectively and purposefully to their own work. Video Production heavily focuses on student-centered projects which means active participation is vital to the successful completion of this course. Students in this course will learn basic camera, audio, and lighting equipment terminology, and functions and will be expected to act responsibly when using said equipment. Writing assignments include reflections and screenplays. In addition, students will gain valuable experience using professional video editing software.