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Delvin Goode | Episode 472
Delvin Goode has been doing pottery off and on for over 20 years. Delvin is currently pursuing a Master of Ceramics from Fort Hays State University, though he work in all types medium. Delvin is loving the process more and more each day.
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What is the biggest challenge you face as a distance learner?
I would say the biggest challenge is you don’t have that peer interaction that you have in the studio. That bouncing your work off of somebody else and getting the instant did you try this, did you try that. So I don’t have that in the studio, so it always a joy when I go back to the University and get to experience that.
What is the biggest blessing about distance learning?
That you can do it. That there is a program that you can still pursue your masters degree without being at university and still be connected. Maybe not one on one at the university but I still feel very connected to the college and the program. I can be in contact with anybody I want to through phone calls., social media, emails, and that is how we keep in touch. I think just the fact that I can pursue this masters while in the military and moving every other year and still being able to keep going, that has been the best.
How do you compensate for not having the one on one contact with other students or the faculty?
We turn in papers periodically and she gives amazing feedback for your work. You submit pictures of your work and you critique your own work. If I have time I will send her a piece every now and again just so she can actually get her hands on what I am making and give me that feedback. Anybody is easily within reach in the program. We have a Facebook group and I can just put a message out and I will get pretty instant responses.
How does social media help to bridge that gap?
We are highly encouraged to post progress shots of all our work. You post your ideas before you even start to work. Ask for direct feedback. Get feedback. That is how that works pretty much. We have a little bit of that virtual classroom. You can see what everybody is working on and what everybody is doing.
How do you get your work actually critiqued?
Take good photos. Take really good photos of your work and don’t hide anything. I am very active on Instagram. About 70-80 percent of what you see on my Instagram is a class assignment. You just put yourself out there. I will either send some work or if I will bring my work during midterms or finals, you bring as much work as you can. That is what most of us do.
How does distance learning impact family time?
Not too bad. I kind of depends on you. I have been blessed to be a pretty quick worker when I do anything art wise. Sometimes it will be once the boys go to bed I will go to the studio late at night. I try to make family time with my wife as well. Weekends is usually where I will spend a lot of time in the studio but not too much, because that is also the perfect time to have family time. Yesterday we checked out the zoo and things like that instead of me staying in the studio all day. I think I have found a pretty awesome balance since we have been in Texas.
Would you recommend distance learning for other ceramic artists?
Yeah! Definitely. The preference would be to be at the university. I have actually looked at ways to get stationed back in Kansas to be close to the university. We’ll see if that works out next summer. But it is the next best thing. I would definitely recommend it.
What is the value of being in the military today?
Well you know, protecting and serving. That’s it. You do a lot of stuff the average person will never know. But it is an extremely impactful mission that we are doing out there all over the world. Protecting democracy and fighting for freedom, if you come in looking for glory then you are probably joining the wrong team. It’s a selfless service job and that is why you do it.
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Contact:
Instagram: @dgoodeart