Dear Angela,
Today is a wonderful day for me. I had not expected it to be as splendid, but a little package in my faculty mail box made it so! Angela I wish to use this blessing from you to me as a teaching. So please permit me to share the following on my my blog and join with me in sharing the importance of encouragement!
Friends, my past student Angela Villavicencio, gave to me her graduation stole. I will wear the stole around my neck with more happiness in my heart than that attributed to my gold medallion that signifies my rank of full professor. Any one who knows me also knows I am a simple fisherman, and artist committed in teaching of art, and being a friend, and father.
Inside the beautiful box sent from California was her graduation stole. She wrote a touching message on the back of the silk garment piece, in her characteristically neat and artistic hand writing, she wrote, and thanked me for teaching her to think critically about her work, embrace the mistakes and to not only become a better artist but to also acquire a different outlook on life.
Folded inside the stole were two pictures of my excellent student. One is of her in her graduation cap and gown, the other of her riding in equestrian dressage competition. All equestrian competition requires courage, especially jumping. I have often observed the attributes of countless EQS students are transferrable to the discipline of studio art. The needed attributes include: determination, discipline, empathy and certain instincts. Angela you are accomplished in both of these challenging endeavors and will accomplish much more! Congratulations on your current work in Ireland and may you experience all you dream of!
You have made an older teacher very happy today and most surely understand how important it is to encourage others. We all need encouragement it keeps us motivated. I think I am about to paint again after a bit of a layoff!
Sincerely,
Professor Martin