ABSTRACT
Artists/researcher/teachers are mostly keen to maintain an art practice alongside their professional work. This chapter details personal practical knowledge as a theoretical framework and a "dialectic research method" in examining art educators' narratives of experience. It aims to explore how art educators describe their challenges and successes in maintaining an art practice alongside their professional work. Art educators share their stories and views of an art practice in offering opportunities to enhance their artistic skills, research avenues and personal, professional growth. The chapter traces the stories from art educators to extend knowledge about their art practice and professional experiences which draws upon individual actions, attitudes and circumstances. It summarises the importance of an art practice as part of artists/researcher/teachers' personal practical knowledge from two perspectives: the notion of image as embodied and enacted through personal and professional art practice and the contribution of narrative unities in sharing participants' stories from a dialectic research method.
