Chawky Frenn - George Mason University

Professor: Chawky Frenn

Department: TBD

College: George Mason University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AVT362
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He gets very angry at you if you don't get the technique right away, and he expects you to master it after 10 minutes of instruction. At one point I was struggling and asked for his help and his exact words when I was struggling were "no, I'm not going to help you. Figure it out for yourself."

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AVT333
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He's by far one of the most intense professors I had so far coming to Mason. Even though you turn in an assignment every week you get to see what you improve from. He gives inspirational lectures but he can be really blunt on critique day. Manage your time for his classes!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AVT323
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don't take his class if you don't have at least twenty hours a week free to paint non-stop. "Excessive" is an understatement when it comes to his assignments. He seemed to have a hard time understanding simple English statements. Overall, a very stressful professor and a very stressful class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: AVT323
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Verbally combative. Prone to fits of yelling. Assigned unreasonably large assignments to be completed outside of class: for example, 21 small paintings in the span of one and a half weeks.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AVT323
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don't take this class if you are not ready to work! Huge assignments due every week, and he WILL call you out if you don't try. VERY passionate, but extremely blunt. He tells it like it is, so if you are sensitive about your work, this class may not be for you. If you do take the class, listen to what he says! So much can be learned from him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AVT323
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Chawky is a wonderful professor if you are serious about your art and have a good attitude. If you aren't willing to put forth a lot of time and effort, don't take the class, but if you're really looking to improve your skill definitely sign up.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PAINTING2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Chawky is an incredible instructor but a very tough grader. He can tell how much effort you put into a project and will grade accordingly. Cares about students deeply and will do anything in his power to help you accommodate you. Take this class if you really want to learn something.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AVT232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very hard and frustrating. He does not help after class, he is very intense and energetic, the paintings take upwards of 10 hours if you're just learning, and you will be taking the class with people who can already paint so you will be compared to them. 13 of the class dropped by finals. Excellent at teaching grayscale but not color.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AVT222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The only person who prepared me for SCAD. A born teacher. Only take his class if you're SERIOUS. Leave your ego behind. Consistently take his advice &you'll improve. No matter what your skill level he just wants your best. Demanding, but patient &devoted to his students - unlimited resubmits. Loud, repetitive, skilled, inspiring, honest -take him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AVT433
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

AMAZING teacher. Most I have ever learned, but be ready to work. He will expect you to give everything to this class, but if you are passionate about painting you would be an idiot not to take him. Best teacher I have ever had, but it was a struggle to get through the semester. He's not afraid to be mean, but he is there to make you better!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AVT433
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Other teachers of Advanced Painting expect students to already have a personal vision, and do not assign projects but rather make a contract with each individual regarding their work. Chawky only allows this for the last project, but specifies the number and size of works for the first two. This is frustrating for truly advanced students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AVT222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He yells a lot, repeats himself, and calls bad work bad. BUT HE IS AMAZING. The best art teacher I've ever had, yes because he knows art very well but also because he is an exceptional teacher. You will learn so much and thank him for pushing you. He is inspiring, don't miss a chance to take a class by him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: AVT222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took this class solely for Gen Ed credits. I never painted in my life. It was very time consuming to paint after class and I had to quit running club to get paintings done on time. Don't defend yourself from his painting criticisms, and he will grow to help you and appreciate you so much that you will end up really liking him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AVT222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is the best art professor ever!!! He gives second to even third chance to improve on your drawings. He gives good criticism and takes his profession seriously. Many students in class were professionals i wasn't, but i improved in each drawing & got a good grade. Con- takes alot of your time. Pro- as long as you don't give up, you'll do great!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AVT423
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I have taken 3 classes with Chawky. He pushes you to your limits and does not accept poor, lazy work. As far as the favoring male comments that is ridiculous. Everyone received praise and criticism, and we were all respected. He tries to INSPIRE students with other student work, which is not playing favorites. A FANTASTIC teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AVT323
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This is my 3rd studio class with Chawky. He is a precious commodity & a huge asset to the department. He goes above & beyond with his teaching & truly inspires his students. He made me a better artist & a better person. I learned many life lessons from him. His passion for life is contagious, he radiates. The more you give, the more you'll receive.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: AVT324
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Extremely energetic, passionate and skilled, which is great for students that can keep up with him. He did make an introverted girl in the class cry on several occasions. Will push the majority to do good work, but is impatient with anything that contradict his point of view, which has many biases.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AVT323
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

i LOVE Chawky! Make sure you show up for class. He really cares about you & the work you produce. THIS IS NOT AN EASY CLASS. Its challenging in a great way. He lets you redo drawings. Hes very philosophical when it comes to art. Chawky is a loveable, funny, bald man. Take this class if your ready to be a better artist & have HOURS of free time.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AVT233
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Incredible Professor! He takes art seriously and pushes you to your limit. Don't take him if you are a slacker or a psuedo-artist - he will make you work. If you are interested in learning, being creative, and going far in painting then he is the best professor in the AVT dept.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AVT333
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

What an amazing teacher! I've never been so challenged and pushed so far beyond what I thought I was capable of. Everyone who took the class seriously said at the end of the semester, that they wished they had taken his class during Freshman year because they realized they loved painting. If you want to be a better artist, take any Chawky class.