What is Art?

Art can be anything you love. Nature, your pet, your friends and family, anything can become art. The possibilities are endless, and the best thing you can do is imagine and bring your ideas to life on a piece of paper.

Will that little doodle count as art? I think so. If you're proud of your masterpiece, then it is art. The joy you feel while imagining and creating, that spark in your eyes, is what makes it special.

I believe those fun, happy moments of creating something are what keep us engaged with life. So, maybe now you understand what art is… or at least what it can be.

“Philosophy of Education”

As an Asian woman and immigrant, I bring a unique perspective to my role as an aspiring art teacher. Navigating cultures and finding my identity through creativity has shaped how I want to teach and connect with students. I believe art is both a personal journey and a bridge between people and cultures. 

In my classroom, I create a space where students explore diverse art forms: painting, drawing, digital illustration, ceramics, and crafts. I design hands-on projects that invite play, risk-taking, and confidence-building. By introducing diverse artists and cultural views, I hope students see how art reflects identity, history, and community. 

Surrealism is a key part of my teaching philosophy because it encourages students to think beyond reality and explore limitless possibilities. It’s not just an art style; it’s a way of thinking that allows imagination to flow freely. Daydreaming, for example, can be a powerful tool to help students escape from everyday pressures and tap into their creative minds. I believe that within surrealism, students find freedom: freedom to express their thoughts, to challenge what they see, and to create something uniquely their own. 

I want my classroom to be a space where surreal ideas are welcomed and explored. Students should feel empowered to imagine without fear of being "wrong." By encouraging this mindset, I help them develop not only as artists but as thinkers who are open to new ideas and perspectives. Surrealism gives us permission to see the world differently, to combine unexpected elements, and to turn dreams into art. 

Young people have great creative potential because they are not yet burdened by the limitations that adulthood can bring. I want to nurture that potential by guiding them to explore their imagination, take risks, and trust their artistic instincts. This approach helps students build confidence in their abilities and understand that art can be both deeply personal and widely impactful. 

Ultimately, I aim to inspire a lifelong connection to art. Whether students become artists or create for joy, I want them to understand the power of self-expression, cultural storytelling, and the impact of their voices through art. 

“Course Curriculum”

For my lesson plan, I have prepared a unit specifically designed for a digital art classroom. It includes instruction on digital software and tools, lessons on the fundamentals of digital art and design, and a final project focused on world-building to encourage creativity and imagination.

Unit Plan

Links to my files!

“Unit Plan: Concept Design - Creating a World”

“Teacher Tutorial”

A teacher demonstration on how to draw a character’s head and how to transform the facial expression from a default to a different emotion.