Education & Opportunity

In my column for Nov. 16, I profile the story of Amanda Dunbar--a celebrated 23-year-old artist who only picked up a paint brush for the first time, accidentally, at age 13. What interested me in the story was that even in the case of this child prodigy, the role of her parents, Ken and Judi, was still critical in her development. For this reason, I consider Amanda's success more of a success story about the entire Dunbar family than just Amanda herself.

And yes, I truly believe that all of us have hidden talents awaiting discovery!

Also, for those of you who are interested in pursuing fine arts (or have kids interested in the fine arts), here are some tips from Ken and Judi Dunbar:

1. Choose a teacher whose personality fits the personality of the student. “If Amanda would have taken an art class that was very structured early on,” Judi Dunbar emphasizes, “it makes me wonder very seriously if it would have ruined what she has now.”

2. Get helpful feedback. Seek out college art professors, gallery owners, and other experts in an artistic discipline to provide feedback on a student’s work. “Do your research so you know what you’re getting yourself,” Judi advises. “We took the best of all of the suggestions and then put them to work for us.”

3. Try many different disciplines. As you explore art, try many different mediums and methods. “Fine art is not the only option,” Ken Dunbar notes. “Graphic artists, architects, layout designers, and animators, for example, all use art in different ways. The type of art should match the personality of the artist.”

If you haven't seen Amanda's artwork before, it is truly stunning. You can view numerous samples of her work at her website, www.amandadunbar.com.