About

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

I have taught Art at international schools in Asia, Africa and Europe as well as online adult Art classes with the University of Wisconsin. When I wasn't teaching art, I always found ways to weave it into the classroom. My art classes have stretched from Pre-K to High School, depending upon the school. I always believe that it is important to teach children skills and then see what they can do with the skills.

MY TEACHING STYLE

Some people give the kids paint brushes with no guidance and say express yourself. Not my style. When students enter my class, I tell them they are going to create the best art they have ever made. It means learning skills and practice. Kids don't always like that practice part. However, the proof is in the results. When you hear a student say, "This is the best artwork I've ever made!", you know you have done something right.

HONORS/AWARDS/SHINING TEACHER MOMENT

You Be the Judge of Hammurabi's Code and Deep in the Bush Where People Rarely Ever Go (Liberian Folk Tales) are two websites I created that won the Microsoft Encarta School House web lessons back when there was an Encarta. The important thing for me is they got my art on the web, which has changed my life. They directed me towards my current clip art website at phillipmartin.com and pppst.com.

MY OWN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Art as well as a Master's Degree in Education.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

I lost my teaching job at a private school in Belgium when the economy took a downturn. It was a sign to me to make a change from art teacher to artist. Since then, I work on my websites full time. But when I find the opportunity and get enough cash saved, I travel to remote locations around the globe to paint murals with communities. You can see the Google video about this on YouTube if you search "Phillip Martin Google". My brother Gary is not the artist. I got the "art gene" in the family. But, Gary got the genes to cook, fix about anything in the home, repair cars and figure out anything on the computer (given enough time). He is working with me to create the products you find on our pages.