yesterday evening

was wonderful. I was speaking with a teacher and wonderful artist about the difference between good teachers and bad teachers. As it turns out, we both have high standards, so now I don't feel so badly (and even though I'm still learning, her work is incredible!). There is something incomparable that you get from a great teacher. I've seen people explain it as 'life-changing'. Sometimes they just give you a good kick in the butt! One of my harshest photo teachers would make us, if she thought our work wasn't up to par, reshoot all 14 rolls of film and develop them (ourselves) into contact sheets in a week. Even if you had great photos, if they were soft focus they weren't good enough for her. In hindsight, I really appreciated that. In really great cases great teachers become your mentors and celebrate your progress and successes with their upcoming students. They are often very humble and generous. My friend gave me a few names (I have heard of and taken a workshop with one of two of those people she recommended) and so it was great to get good, solid direction. I am not impressed by names at all (especially having admired some people from afar and seeing them transform into absolute wart-hogs in person LOL). Often, a person's reputation precedes them but you may leave a workshop or class sadly disappointed. LA is a tough town, and I think although talent is appreciated if you are serious you really need to find the BEST (or at least the best advice). Anything else is not worth it in my opinion (you could work your butt off and still get there but it may take longer). I guess this is a great segue into my recent dropping of one of my classes; I just was not feeling fulfilled, and I think that although I am still learning, I almost forgot how powerful it is to say no, and that you want better for yourself and that your expectations are a lot higher. It's a tough thing to do but it was SO worth it! (especially since I lack sleep a lot...my time is very very valuable) I've been drawing a LOT (think 2000 plus a day) of circles, lines, waves, arcs and boxes in perspective for Peter Hn's class. It's been so awesome and I met a wonderful Dutch girl who is very talented. On the first day we each had to come up to draw an object. I got the word "snake", but I was really hoping for 'tank', because I had been spending time drawing those lately. The goal is to get better.