Robert Bateman

(Naturalist and Wildlife Artist)  June 2005

"Look See Paint is a brilliant idea whose time has come...in fact the time is overdue. The end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st are seeing disturbing trends driving human beings away from the real world into a packaged and commercial virtual world. This is unhealthy, dangerous and sad."
Look See Paint is a refreshing and very practical system for putting us back in touch with the joy and complexity of our roots, our natural and human heritage. For starters is should be incorporated throughout our school systems. It can be beneficial from children to seniors."

Gail Simmons 

(teacher of Canadian Literature at Gananoque Secondary School)

It was exciting, rewarding and lasting for them. Their journal entries, which were submitted a week later, indicated repeatedly that their day and experience with "Look See Paint" was the most exciting part of the day. They were surprised and delighted at their own artistic successes .. The following words refer to a day long semi wilderness experience with 16 Grade 13 students. They traveled 5 miles in two big canoes along the Rideau River to a wilderness campsite where her program was conducted. Students read excerpts of wilderness prose and poetry, ie. Suzzana Moodie, and wrote their own pieces sitting alone "in the bush". Painted, each with their own compact water colour kit re: the LOOK SEE PAINT equipment and program, then journalized their experience.

You won over the "I can't paint" people by inviting them to "look" and then "see". Once those two steps were taken, the actual painting came naturally... much to my students' delight and mine. The entire experience became a reference point for many of our subsequent discussions about Canadian Literature. The "Look See Paint" package will be an integral part of my literature course from now on. Many thanks to you both for a rewarding experience.

James Raffan

Associate Professor & Coordinator
Outdoor & Experimental Education
Queens University - Kingston, Ontario

"Look See Paint works. It is a winning combination of idea, process, product, and meaningful educational/environmental outcomes."

My original hope for including Look - See - Paint in the teacher training programs here at Queen's Faculty of Education was that it would be a new and unique experience, during a 10-day residential course, that would allow my students to reflect on the nature of the experiential learning process. That they did, and continue to do, as they go about learning the business of outdoor teaching in their various internship settings, but my sense is that much else happened during their session with you. Look - See - Paint is a winning combination of idea, process, product, and meaningful educational/environmental outcomes.

After the Look - See - Paint session, students spoke about how empowered they felt in tackling something potentially threatening and very risky in a supportive environment created by the program and by the design of the kit itself. The design of the kit makes the worrisome issue of "medium" almost disappear. Instead of getting preoccupied and intimidated by terms, equipment, and / or detailed instructions, as soon as the kit is opened and the picture finder put into use, students move directly into the creative phase of making pictures. You've managed to come up with the visual art equivalent of Alex Tilley's threat-free washing instructions for his travel clothing: "Give 'em hell." he says, meaning "Use them, have fun with them, even if you're not sure how." One of the key elements to the power and success of the Look - See - Paint idea is its portability. There's something about painting outdoors that makes results seem possible, probable even. I don't think there was even one student in my class who did not experience substantial success of some kind during your session. Look - See - Paint works!

Like all great inventions, Look - See - Paint is elegant in its simplicity. As ably demonstrated by students in May, it's clean, direct, and effective way to teach people about the experiential learning process; it's a marvelous foil to illustrate hidden potential (artistic and otherwise); and, most importantly, it's a superb device to help anyone who uses it learn to see and appreciate nature. I have no doubt that the world will be a better place as a result of Look - See - Paint.

Thank you for everything you have done in getting Look - See - Paint installed at Queen's Faculty of Education. .

Mike Hill
Teacher
Couchiching Heights Public School
Orillia, Ontario

(Koochiching Heights Public School)
 " I have used the program with grade seven and eight students, and I have been pleased (as have the kids) with the outcome. Not only does it meet many of the expectations of the art program, but I feel it also answers some of the expectations of the Science and Technology program as well. Look See Paint helps students to communicate feelings and convey idea

First of all, let me assure you that the program is being put to good use in our intermediate division. This year I have used it with the grades seven and eight classes and I have been pleased (as have the kids) with the program.

I look forward to continued contact between you and the students at Couchiching Heights. Your infectious enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air (if you'll pardon the ecological play on words) at a time when there are so many negatives attached to education.In response to your questions about the curriculum, not only does Look See Paint meet many of the expectations of the art program, but I feel that it also answers some of the expectations of the science and technology program as well. For example wouldn't you agree that Look-See-Paint helps students to "communicate feelings and convey ideas... and enrich peoples' lives." (some of the grade 7 and 8 Visual Arts expectations.) In the new Science curriculum, students are expected to investigate such things as the local ecosystem and preservation of habitats. Look See Paint definitely meets those requirements as well.

Kimberly A. Pellow
(Head of Fine Art, Albert College)

Mr. Miller's approach to the idea that nature and art are connected in a very strong and emotional relationship was not only informative but inspirational. His enthusiasm and love of the arts (and nature) were introduced in a very personable way which helped the students relax and become less intimidated about their talents and skills.Freedom to create expressive and imaginative watercolours were encouraged and having each art piece displayed in a window mat gave the students a sense of success and satisfaction. The workshop was well organized and prepared, providing a smooth and productive day.