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| photo by Lauri Johnston |
This evening I went to a special class at our city's art museum. About fifty of us--teachers, artists, writers--were going to explore Monet's art in depth.
The museum was closed to everyone else. We had a quick meal in the cafe, then began our workshop. At one point I needed to use the restroom; another woman and I went at the same time. A guard was there when we got on the elevator, and a guard was there when we got off and went directly into the bathroom. The rest of the museum was off-access.
The cloak of darkness was upon us. The elevator was large enough to comfortably accomodate a painting or two. For a moment, the Walter Mitty in me came out...What would it be like to try and lift a priceless painting? Probably more exciting than wrestling with my students and their stuffed animals (It's "Hugs Not Drugs" day tomorrow.)
Of course, I did not conjure up Pierce Brosnan ala "The Thomas Crowne Affair," nor did I branch out on my own and become an art thief. But I did think about it for a split-second.
This evening we looked at Monet's Waterlilies using homemade viewfinders (an index card with a small rectangle cut out of the center) and decided on a spot of our own, we drew what our spot inspired in us, we chose a sound that we "heard" at our spot and created a symphony of sounds, and we wrote poetry about the paintings. Even though I did not get back until close to 9 (making it a 14-hour day for me), it was a marvelous night.
The bit of writing advice I got out of this experience: look from afar, and then look closely (make your own handy-dandy viewfinder), and then back up again and look from a distance. If you're writing about a character, and you know a person who has the same hair as your character, ask to look at their hair with the viewfinder. You'll see things differently. You'll see the variances in color, you'll see more texture than you would otherwise. Look at your house with the viewfinder. You'll be focusing on parts, which will nudge you into thinking in unique ways.
Try it. You'll be surprised...
What a great event to take part in! And I LOVE the view finder idea. I'll certainly make one! Thanks, Sioux!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Sioux. And your recounting of the trip to and from the ladies room reminded me of an earlier post of yours, where you dared to touch a painting. My goodness, I think museums bring out the criminal in you (but in a good way!). As for taking a viewfinder to my home, no thanks! That would be way too scary. ...I do, though, like the idea of using it on my characters.
ReplyDeleteMy kind of class!I wouldn't want to be the only other person on an elevator with you :)
ReplyDeleteI used to teach school-age kids at summer day camp for 16 years. I'd cover a floor to ceiling window with butcher paper and make several small holes at varying heights. The children had to observe and report what they saw through the openings. With limited scope it made for interesting stories.
What a great experience, Sioux. And thanks for the advice.
ReplyDeleteDonna
What a great technique to use in writing! And what a fun class, too. It kinda worries me that I would've been wondering what it would be like to lift a painting, too. We should probably not travel on elevators together. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love these suggestions! Thanks! I will try it in the book I'm writing now.
ReplyDeleteArt begets art.... What a wonderful lesson!
ReplyDeleteOh, Monet is wonderful! His use of colors is breathtaking. *sigh* Nice suggestions you impart at the end; a new way of seeing things. :)
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