from Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School — Mapleton, Iowa

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Biography

BACKGROUND

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, I attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. I’ve taught Art at both Los Angeles Lutheran Jr/Sr High School in California and at Boyer Valley Community Schools in Dunlap, Iowa.

Taught at Boyer Valley 2000-2023
Taught at Los Angeles Lutheran Jr/Sr High School in Sylmar, CA. 1993-2000
BSEd from Concordia University, Seward, NE
Double-Major in K-12 Art & 7-12 History/Social Studies

INFLUENCES

Growing up in the Southwest, I was steeped in the styles and aesthetics of such diverse artists like Paul Coze, R.C. Gorman, Ed Mell, John Nieto and Billy Schenk. As a teen I soaked up as much of the gallery scene in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley as I could. Like many teenagers I loved comics, but rather than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I gravitated to the alternative comics in the ‘New Times’ weekly by Bob Boze Bell.

I was deeply influenced by all of the Art faculty at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska especially Professor Reinhold Marxhausen. While a young teacher at Los Angeles Lutheran Jr/Sr High School I was privileged to know Gerald Brommer is a world renown landscape watercolorist and Art educator. Brommer was a Seward grad that had begun his career at Lutheran High.

RECOGNITION

Painted cover of 2015 poetry anthology, 'Stay Awhile: Poetic Narratives About Multiculturalism and Diversity' from University Professors Press

Member of the National Art Education Association and the Art Educators of Iowa since 2016

Artsonia’s annual Art Education Leadership Award in 2021 for “demonstration of outstanding leadership and innovation within the art education community.”

SHAPING VISIONS

As a teacher, I believe that Art is in everyone and for everyone. I endeavor to challenge students to see differently and to think deliberately, emphasizing the principles of design, composition, and visual thinking skills. Art is integral if not foundational to all kinds of learning, not mere enrichment or distraction.

I’m committed to teaching just as I have been for the last thirty years, but I’ve always been open to side projects. Currently I’m considered the Artist in Residence for Crawford County Abstract, LLC. where I’ve been asked to create works both for the office and as gifts for customers. I’ve had illustration clients as far away as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Key West. I’ve drawn cartoons for regional weekly newspapers in Western Iowa.

CONNECTIONS

Website maladjusted.us
National Art Education Portfolio naea.digication.com/tedmallory

Personal Art Gallery