UNPLUG (Seven Days of Art: Day THREE)

Posted on by Prior...

This post is also Day THREE for the Seven Day Art Challenge.  It was a discard because someone wanted the frame. 

art-trees-unplug
Untitled; date unknown, author unknown. I added the word “unplug” because I am combining one word with each day of the 7 day art challenge.

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art-prior-trees-poem
Thank you, Helen Chen, for interpreting this poem for me. Another wonderful perk of this online community is that we have culture rich connections. 🙂

 

While teaching some art lessons, I often referred to the wonderful “Pine Trees” by Hasegawa Tōhaku (Japanese, 1539–1610). The “Pine Trees” screen has been designated as National Treasure of Japan.

pine-trees
One art idea to help students explore the “Pine Trees” screen: We took heavy weight paper (yellow if available) and made six long strips. We also gave each student six strips of printer paper (cheap) to practice on. Using a sumi brush (round) and black ink (washable paint for younger students) – and having water and blotting rags – Have students line up their six sheets and make their own pine tree design. On suggestion is to leave some negative space (the space without any trees, which is the positive space). Younger grades can work on showing “near and far” with some larger and darker pine trees to show near and smaller and lighter to show far. I also put out many types of extra brushes to see what students are in the mood for, but everyone has to learn how to make a tree with a sumi brush. The success level for this project was high, because most students can make a loose image of a pine tree.  Sometimes we practice on some extra sheets just to really build confidence. Anyhow, this is something you might want to try if you are in the mood for a mini painting lesson – because remember – our hobbies breathe life into us…. Side note – I have some old step by step sheets and later I will try to come back to add them here.

See you tomorrow for Day FOUR

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Special thanks to A Thursday’s Child Blog for the idea.

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40 thoughts on “UNPLUG (Seven Days of Art: Day THREE)”

    1. I know – and I wonder what the cram looked like- was it ornate or simple, but well made? Was it dark or light or even gold?

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    1. Well that book sounds interesting – and I love Van Gogh – and your book has me curious!
      Anyhow – I think the Asian influence on all the impressionists and expressionists provide a good example of understanding how historical events impact the socio-cultural- world – and because Japan “was opened” in 1845 and their art seeped Into the world with freshness – artists everywhere were inspired – and I am still surprised as to how much of Monet’s work has replicas and borrowed ideas from Japanese woodblock prints and small Asian works .
      And with Van Gogh, we used to show children how can Gogh’ colors exploded after he encountered the Japanese prints –
      And how he could not afford to go to Japan and his artists friends told him the south of France had a Japan feel, which is partly why he went – in search of that beauty -….
      😉

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    1. Well Yes – taught art for seven years and had some fun with it! Burned out a little too – but it was nice change after I taught science for a handful of years – a fresh change and a way to use my passion to motivate and teach kids.
      Anyhow – I am working on a book with ten minute mini lessons for children and adults of all ages – and you get a free copy for translating services – ha!
      But the book was inspired out of a need – because so many folks need or want a bit of art yet don’t know where to begin (besides taking 150 dollar workshops) and so I am still working on it, hope to have it ready in January -but it could even be used by anyone who wants to dabble – stretch skills – and then decide which art medium to invest more time in to get to know deeper (or not) –
      Thanks so much again, Helen

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    1. Well have a bit of a hodge podge background – I taught on and off while trying to be home with my children as much as possible – and science and art were my two main areas – but now I am working on wellness workshops and I have had the chance to teach psychology courses – so I guess it is evolving still – xxoo

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        1. Well thanks dawn – but had to find my groove just like everyone else – and so with all humility I celebrate my wiring – flaws and strengths – hah!

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  8. I really like the initial piece. That oriental style always appeals to me, and I like the sentiments too. I could use a spell of isolation. Maybe somewhere warmer 🙂 🙂 Love the other painting too.

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    1. Hi bf2-chipscafe
      I never was able to see the frame – so I can only wonder. But it had to be nice enough for the person to want to reuse it.
      When I taught art, I let parents (and everyone) know that all donated items would be accepted lovingly – and told them what we did not use would find good homes or be sent to charity – so they could rest in that – and I usually had stream of misc. coming in – including this – but no frame to see –

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    1. Well thanks for the comment – and I bet u are seeing some diverse art across the USA- and by the way –
      your traveling is crazy fun! I still imagine the blue line on the map from day 27

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  11. I am so glad you initiated this ‘art’ challenge – it’s more like an art appreciation course 🙂 I never did have an eye for art/painting (quite the black sheep as I am ‘supposed’ to be artistically inclined as my uncle was an acclaimed artist and the principal of a reputed Art College). I fared very poorly in art in school, which created a mental block of its own. But I really am enjoying this ‘eye-opener’ series of yours and while on my travels, I was automatically drawn to the paintings, which I used to never even notice – all thanks to you 🙂 Loved the poem too – glad you made an effort to have it translated, I was itching to know what was written!

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    1. Oh thanks DawD!
      and hopefully you were able to get some photos of the art you have seen?

      and thanks for the feedback on the 365 days of art, it really fit right in to what I was pondering on and off since October.

      I scratched down around 15 themes to anchor my challenge, but I do not want it to become laborious and feel like “work” – so my aim is too keep it light – and if I need a break – I will schedule them a week or two out and come back after a small pause. We’ll see how it goes, but thanks for adding this comment because it really added to the confirmation. And one of the ideas was to have about a dozen guest posts – so maybe you could think about doing one?

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        1. sounds good – I am doing “formal interviews” in April – It was an idea I had carried over form last year -and now I will make it connect with art.
          and so maybe guest post in February or March?

          and as easy or as complex as you want. one single painting – or a handful of favs with some info – or an artist feature – one of your stories – whatever – but at least one image – cool?

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