The Artful Readers Club for January
Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures by Cathy Johnson Sat in front of a local church on a sunny Saturday, then picked some flowers to examine. I only had a pencil so I added the watercolor later. Armed with few supplies, I went to one of my favorite spots and doodled. Lines added in Photoshop before posting...timid me. Please note: I recommend this book for any artist at any stage...my reference to 12-13 year olds in this review, is remarked due to the value of journaling. It's actually a very sophisticated book on many levels. In a brief shuffle through the pages of Artist's Journal Workshop , I found myself conflicted. The book contains numerous examples of a style of art making that toggles between the hugely personal and a publishable 'look'. So, with that...the book set up on my shelf for nearly a year. Now, after an honest read, I still feel a bit conflicted...but in a way that offers some inspir...
I really feel for the amputated tree in this image.
ReplyDeleteI sort of wrote a poem (with a secret personal meaning) about this once:
Brittle opposite,
Straining opposite,
Tree seen through glass.
Like a hand without character
Outstretched
And trembling,
Half-eaten by stone
I feel like you took this picture for me.
The thing that wrenches at me is that the tree is still trying to produce life despite everything that's happened to it and despite everyone else being against it. You can still see the greenery sprouting from it. Even though the concrete is literally eating even into its roots.