If I asked the question “What kind of artist are you?” you might answer by saying, “Art is just for the gifted and professionally trained and I am neither”. Or “Art is a waste of time and I always had more important things to do”. Or you might even to try to evade the whole question by mumbling something about never being interested in “artsy” stuff, but “How about those Seahawks!”
The Korean author Young-ha Kim in his TED talk “Be an Artist. Right Now!” believes there is an artist in all of us – waiting for opportunities to emerge from the shadows of neglect. And we would all be better off and happier if we listened to our inner artist. .
Remember when we were young children. We would unabashedly show off our pictures even though the colorful scribbles on scrap pieces of paper told a story only we could understand. As children we just created because it was fun. But as we grew up we were told to make something “good” and “artistic”. Our creations were compared and evaluated and most of us (I can at least speak for myself) couldn’t meet those “adult world” standards. We learned to fear the judgment of our parents, teachers and friends.
But Young-ha Kim believes we need to reconnect with our inner artist that has been too quiet for too long. And ignore the fear of judgment while getting lost in the play of creating even if the results aren’t considered “good” and are just temporary – like sand sculptures on the beach. Whether it is drawing, writing or glass painting, he suggests we experience again the joy in the moment and the pleasure in the creation. As Vincent Van Gogh said “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
Now are you convinced to release your inner artist? Yes? Maybe? I think I’ll watch the Seahawks! If so, starting in March there is a new Creative Arts program at the Center – thanks to the efforts of Debra Jones who will be leading each class. The classes will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays in March, April and May from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. They are open to everyone and each class will offer a different creative experience. The first class on March 12th is an “Introduction to Watercolor”, and on the 26th you will have the opportunity to create easy-to-make Easter Cards and decorations. Each class is only $2.00 and all supplies will be provided. Call the Center for more information. But wait, there is more!
At The Dalles Art Center there is a “Beginning Watercolor Workshop” with Gayle Weisfield. But you better hurry because it is this coming weekend on March 2nd and 3rd from 10:00 – 4:00 PM. To learn more about Gayle go to her website at www.gayleweisfield.com. Then on March 23rd and 24th from 10:00 – 4:00 PM, Ed Labadie will be teaching a “Polish Your Sketching and Painting Skills Workshop”. For information and costs for either class, you can call the Art Center at 541-296-4759 (the center is open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 – 5:00 PM) or go to their website at www.thedallesartcenter.org.
And before the toast is burned – playing tonight at the Center is “For the Good Times”. And next Tuesday it is back to the top of the charts with The Strawberry Mountain Band. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
The actor who played grandpa Amos McCoy in the television comedy The Real McCoys was
Walter Brennan – who I have heard from several reliable sources owned a ranch in Joseph for a time. (And the randomly selected winner of 5 quilt raffle tickets is Karl Vercouteren.) But this week it is back to popular music – specifically R&B, my favorite kind of music during the sixties. What was the name of the record company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. that included such artists as the Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and charted 110 top ten hits from 1961-1971. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a picture of Hitsville USA – the recording company’s first headquarters..
Walter Brennan – who I have heard from several reliable sources owned a ranch in Joseph for a time. (And the randomly selected winner of 5 quilt raffle tickets is Karl Vercouteren.) But this week it is back to popular music – specifically R&B, my favorite kind of music during the sixties. What was the name of the record company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. that included such artists as the Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and charted 110 top ten hits from 1961-1971. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a picture of Hitsville USA – the recording company’s first headquarters..
Well, it’s been another week, trying to dodge the monster under the bed. Until we meet again, to paraphrase Salvador Dali, “Have no fear of being perfect. It will never happen!”
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” Dr. Seuss
