Any Minute Now

Take a good look at the picture and write your own story.

Any Minute Now, ©2008 Denise M. Cassano

You Don’t Scare Me, Visual Writing Prompt

Take a good look at the image below and wrote your story.  Remember to look carefully at the details!

You Don't Scare Me, ©2008 Denise M. Cassano

You Don’t Scare Me, ©2008 Denise M. Cassano

Through the Keyhole Visual Writing Prompt

Look carefully at the image below and write your story. Remember to look at the details.

Through the Keyhole, ©2008 Denise M. Cassano

Waiting, Visual Writing Prompt

Take a good look at the image, and write your own story. Focus on the details to support your interpretation.

Waiting, ©2007 Denise M. Cassano

Waiting, ©2007 Denise M. Cassano

Talking with Children About Art

Some people are intimidated about discussing art with children.  I think it’s because they feel that they need to have all of the answers before starting the conversation.   Whether it is at a museum, gallery, or even looking at art on a friend’s living room wall, there is no reason to be afraid.  Think about these tips when experiencing art with children:

1. BE FEARLESS: Think about what draws you to a piece of art – it’s probably the way you reacted to it.   It’s ok to not be familiar with the artist or the medium, just think about how you feel when you look at it. That is what we need to convey to children – get them to think about their reaction to it and understand why they are reacting that way. That is a wonderful starting point for a conversation on a piece.

2. BE HONEST: Saying you “like”something is not enough.   When you speak to your child, tell her/him why you like or dislike a piece. Think about the lighting, mood, colors, subject matter, size, even the execution – anything that will allow you to express your reaction to the piece.  Be specific, and honest. Then, ask your child what he/she thinks about those same subjects.

3. LISTEN!: I’m always amazed at how children see things in a  piece of art that I never saw – even images that I have looked at a hundred times. When they address these elements of the image, ask them what they think it means. When they express their ideas, show an interest and stay positive. Don’t dismiss what they say as being ‘wrong’ or unrealistic.  Remember, we all react to art differently and anything they say is valid.   Their interpretation is just as valid as an art critic’s.  Children have a unique way of looking at the world and that certainly applies when looking at art.

4. LET YOUR CHILD CHOOSE:  If you are in a gallery or museum – let your child decide what he/she wants to examine and discuss.  Of course, if there are masterpieces you don’t want your child to miss, look at those as well.  Just give your child some freedom to investigate what he/she likes.  The trip to the museum will be much more memorable,  she’ll even talk about it long after she’s home.

5. RESIST THE URGE: Save the reading of the wall label for last. It may be fun to guess the name of a piece or the materials used to make it.  Often, if you know these things ahead of time, you contaminate your own reaction to the art. Don’t do that! Let yourself look, absorb, and react.  Then discuss how you feel about it (even if you dislike the work so much you wouldn’t line your birdcage with it!)

6. DON’T BE SUPERMAN: Don’t feel like you have to see everything.  I often go to the Metropolitan Museum, and let me tell you, it would take at least a week to see everything. So what I do is look at the map, which shows all of the galleries plus the special exhibitions. Then I decide what I am interested in seeing. (This method also gives you a good reason to return at a later date.) So, in a large museum, decide beforehand what you and your child would like to see.

7. BRING HOME A MEMORY: On your way out, get some postcards of he images that you and your child liked the most.  They’ll make great mementos, a nice addition to a scrap-book, or even (surprise) a discussion piece!

Inspirational James Gurney- Dinotopia

There’s nothing better than a good picture book.  Dinotopia, by James Gurney, is described on his site by “the wondrous lost island of Dinotopia, an enthralling world of art, science, exploration, and invention in which humans and dinosaurs live peacefully together.”  Take one look at the illustrations and it isn’t hard to imagine being there, at that time.  What a wonderful way for children to learn about history, geography and biology…as long as they realize that humans and dinosaurs were never on the planet at the same time.

The site has many resources for teachers- and parents.  Very Cool!

http://www.dinotopia.com/index.html

Scott Wadell’s Portraiture

Color in portraiture is elusive.   There are so many factors when creating skintone. However, if you are in the NYC area and want a true classical course on portraiture you may want to check out Scott Wadell at the Grand Central Academy of Art.  His work is hyper realistic and virtually glows. Work like this is magic. He has a true understanding of  light and color.  I’ll link to his work.

http://www.scottwaddellfinearts.com/Fineart.htm

Classical Murals

I recently took a Cast Drawing class at the Grand Central Academy of Art in NY and had an amazing experience.  At this class I came across the following company that specializes in classical murals, finishes for walls and furniture as well as wallpaper patterns.   You’ll notice most of the captions say ‘private residence’- oh my. I can’t imagine what the rest of the home looks like! Their work is beautiful, and don’t we need a little more beauty in the world? I’m linking to them here.

http://boydreath.com/mural_easel/index.html

Using Art When Writing with Children

As an art teacher, I often incorporate writing in my lessons, but writing teachers can certainly make art within their writing lessons- and I would argue that making the art FIRST is even a better idea.  When children create art, it is intuitive- there are hundreds of decisions made as to how to create it, what materials to use, and what they want their final art to look like. Once the work is made, as your students to write from that inspiration.  A book I have just finished, “The Power of Pictures – Creating Pathways to literacy Though Art” by Beth Olshansky is a wonderful resource. http://www.unh.edu/users/unh/institutes/ipssr/picturingwriting/combined.html

Engaging Visual Writing Prompts

Hello out there! Welcome to Denise Draws, my blog about illustration, writing, and using your imagination. Here I’ll share my art, talk about the process- from doodle to sketchbook to tight drawing to finished illustration. I hope to inspire many to think about the possibilities in the work- what it means and what stories. in particular, can be written based on the details in the images. Comment- and share your ideas!