Stanley Kaminski

Stanley Kaminski is an artist who has been teaching Studio Art and Art History to adults in a college environment since 1992. In 1994, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana State University. In 1991, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in his home state at West Virginia University. Stanley Kaminski has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions across the United States and internationally in Slovenia. His artwork is in numerous museum collections, university art collections and private collections including John Goodman in New Orleans and Citizen Kafka in New York. In 1997, his lithograph entitled Rest Stop was chosen by Lynne Allen and Phyllis McGibbon for publication in The Best of Printmaking: An International Collection by Quarry Books. Houston, Texas is where Stanley lives with his wife Bridget and children Catherine and Connor.

Artist's Statement

"I want my artworks to give form to feelings. I select compositions, images and elements that stir my mind-set. An old motel or storage building gives me nostalgia. A brightly colored sign creates an effect of whimsy. A drizzly street on December 27th makes me feel the sweet sadness of another holiday gone past. A closed door shuts me out and makes me curious about the interior. Glimpsed colors, patterns and compositions give me sensations words cannot describe. I want my viewers to feel these things too."

Statement of Teaching Philosophy

I care about my students, teach passionately and create an active learning environment. My students respond best this way. I get to know as much as I can about each one of my students. Students need to get to know me before they will listen to me. I treat our studio or classroom culture as openly and as humanly as possible. Students want a teacher who will lead and inspire them. Students want to succeed. When they can relate to me and know that I "speak" and "do" from the heart, they cooperate and "get with the program." I believe in hard work and in humanism. Art is a demanding endeavor and I believe I must prepare people to become better, more self-motivated artists and students. I firmly believe that a student must have excellent foundation training in drawing and design before advancing into any area of visual arts. My goal is to teach people to learn how to learn and also to foster a "love of learning" and a "love of creating." I am a traditionalist in terms that I start from the basics and build from there. Art, to me, is something that gives form to the human spirit. I always try to teach my students to make art that does this. I am open to any representation or means to carry this out, as long as this expression is honest and from my students' hearts. I also know that people are people and everyone needs different stimulation at different times. A public challenge or an unexpected phone call of encouragement or praise are examples of tactics that I will use. I am a challenging teacher, yet my students know if they fail at something they will get another chance. This is a fundamental lesson in life. If you "screw up - don't give up!" I believe my effectiveness as a teacher is measured by my students and that I am firstly accountable to them. I treat any student request as if it was directly from my boss. The students are the most important people on any campus. Students want a teacher who creates an active, passionate learning environment and a person who cares about them. These elements define my teaching and my philosophy of teaching.