I don't believe in Art. I only believe in Science.

(Entry found in the archive, written a couple of years ago.)

Figure drawing classes include a study of anatomy.

"[You don't need to know the scientific names of all the bones. I don't really care about them,]" said the professor.

"[...the Tibia... your shin bone. And the small one next to it is the Fibula. ... These little ones here are your ankle bones. They are tarsals. And all your foot bones are called tarsals.]"

Maybe I have just taken too many science classes, but there are important distinctions between the tarsals and everything below them. I'm just relieved that my instructor and classmates won't be operating on anyone.

"And," said the professor, "bones are smooth so that the muscles don't get torn up and caught between them. Ouch! That would hurt."

But he's a great teacher anyway. One of my favorite things is to watch a teacher give approval to a student's work, but then to soft-pedal it so the student doesn't get an ego. For example, the teacher came up behind me while I was working and said, "OH! That looks Fantas--- ... nice. Very nice."