I’ve always wished I could paint. But I never had a chance to take any classes
or really try it. Earlier this year
several of my friends felt the same way I did, we all wanted to paint and never
had. We decided there was no reason not
to start painting, so we just did. One
in the group was an artist/art teacher, so she got us started in our new adventure in
acrylic painting. Now we get together
each week for art.
What I didn’t expect was to find so many similarities between
painting and writing. For example, though
I was painting a “nonfiction” subject-a pumpkin-there were endless ways to
paint said pumpkin. Just like a book
about a nonfiction topic, there are endless ways to do it. I knew what a pumpkin looked like, but I
painted my pumpkin, my way.
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My pumpkin, my way. |
But that isn’t the only similarity for me between writing and painting. Here are a few others:
I choose what details to put in a painting and what to leave
out, just like in my books.
Revision is necessary in art, just like my books.
I decide when a painting is finished, just like my
books.
I sometimes look at the painting later and wish I’d done
something a little bit different or better, just like my books.
When other people see my art and it isn’t the sort of thing
they like-it is ok, just like my books.
As a beginning painter every piece of art I attempt is a
challenge, just like my books.
There is satisfaction when a painting is finished to know
that I started with a blank canvas and ended up with something, just like my
books.
If I’m happy with the final piece that is all that matters,
just like my books.
Carla Killough McClafferty
3 comments:
Great post, Carla! I too have wanted to try painting for a long time but haven't. Perhaps I'll give it a shot in the new year!
I love your pumpkin! Thank you for this insightful comparison, Carla!
Thanks Bobbi and Marti (yes you should give it a shot-it has been great fun).
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