Monday, March 3, 2008
Art, for Goodness Sake
I have been feeling like I need to be more artsy around here lately. It all started out when I enrolled Eleanor in an art class with Paula, her new art teacher, several weeks ago. It is the most adorable thing -- six little darlings around a low table up to their elbows in paint, glue, glitter and joy. (Thank you to Cathy for the recommendation.)
Coincidentally, right around the same time, I came across a new blog that I am really enjoying called The Artful Parent. The woman who writes the blog, Jean Van’t Hul, seems to know exactly what questions I have, because every post is just what I need to keep (or bring) a little bit of art and beauty in our day to day existence. So, thanks Jean.
The idea of art in everyday life has also got me thinking about the Kuna. They really live artfully without even stressing out about it like I seem to be doing. They just naturally incorporate beauty, color and lovely forms into daily life. The most obvious example is the molas that the women wear, but even in small things such as the wirwir, a kitchen utensil that they use for making madun (a thick warm plantain beverage) the Kunas' artful ideals shine through. And, don't even get me started on their language -- I mean, a word like wirwir to describe something that stirs really fast -- it's fantastic. Anyway, the exhibit and book "The Art of Being Kuna" really hit the nail on the head with that title.
These various tangents have led to much more artsy experimentation around the house. This morning we tried a bit of painting, which I have been hesitant to do because of the carpet. However, as I have seen in art class, Eleanor is pretty decent at keeping it (whatever materials she is working with) on the table. So we gave it a go.
The results were very satisfying, Eleanor enjoyed experimenting with the brush, her fingers, a baby food jar, the textured watercolor paper and the paint. From what I have been reading lately, it is important to discuss the experience with Eleanor rather than the finished product, but I must say, the middle piece with the baby food jar prints, is quite visually appealing to me. In fact, I think I am going to frame it and put it up somewhere. And, my worrying was for naught, as no paint ended up on the floor.
(These pictures are sideways, I couldn't pin them up the way she painted them because there wasn't enough space. So, tilt your head to the right and you will see them as they were created!)
Coincidentally, right around the same time, I came across a new blog that I am really enjoying called The Artful Parent. The woman who writes the blog, Jean Van’t Hul, seems to know exactly what questions I have, because every post is just what I need to keep (or bring) a little bit of art and beauty in our day to day existence. So, thanks Jean.
The idea of art in everyday life has also got me thinking about the Kuna. They really live artfully without even stressing out about it like I seem to be doing. They just naturally incorporate beauty, color and lovely forms into daily life. The most obvious example is the molas that the women wear, but even in small things such as the wirwir, a kitchen utensil that they use for making madun (a thick warm plantain beverage) the Kunas' artful ideals shine through. And, don't even get me started on their language -- I mean, a word like wirwir to describe something that stirs really fast -- it's fantastic. Anyway, the exhibit and book "The Art of Being Kuna" really hit the nail on the head with that title.
These various tangents have led to much more artsy experimentation around the house. This morning we tried a bit of painting, which I have been hesitant to do because of the carpet. However, as I have seen in art class, Eleanor is pretty decent at keeping it (whatever materials she is working with) on the table. So we gave it a go.
The results were very satisfying, Eleanor enjoyed experimenting with the brush, her fingers, a baby food jar, the textured watercolor paper and the paint. From what I have been reading lately, it is important to discuss the experience with Eleanor rather than the finished product, but I must say, the middle piece with the baby food jar prints, is quite visually appealing to me. In fact, I think I am going to frame it and put it up somewhere. And, my worrying was for naught, as no paint ended up on the floor.
(These pictures are sideways, I couldn't pin them up the way she painted them because there wasn't enough space. So, tilt your head to the right and you will see them as they were created!)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Pink Martini
We went to see Pink Martini on Thursday for our date night. What a lot of fun. Getting dressed up and going to the Kennedy Center for an evening of lovely music with my dear husband -- I can't ask for much more than that. Pink Martini is a Portland, Ore. based band that plays a very diverse lineup of music. They were accompanied last night by the National Symphony Orchestra.
My favorite song was their opener, Ravel's Bolero. It was just amazing the way they built it up and then busted it open with the horns. I think it was my favorite because the tune is so familiar from Torvill and Dean's 1984 Olympic performance -- one of my all time favorites.
I also really enjoyed the song Hey Eugene, that the singer China Forbes, had written about someone she met at a party who never called. Hilarious. (You can listen here if you scroll down to the bottom.)
A huge thanks to Bill for the tickets and Sarah for the babysitting!!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Quote of the Day
Last night Eleanor was having her bath and she grabbed her leg and said, "Here is my fishing pole." She proceeded to tell me how she was going to catch some green and yellow fish (her green and yellow rubber duckies) with the fishing pole. What an imagination!
I didn't remember having taught her the words "fishing pole", which made me start to think about how she might have gotten the idea. Then I realized that she has a magnetic puzzle with a fishing pole, which is where it must have come from. At any rate, it was hilarious to watch her "fish" for duckies with her leg.
I didn't remember having taught her the words "fishing pole", which made me start to think about how she might have gotten the idea. Then I realized that she has a magnetic puzzle with a fishing pole, which is where it must have come from. At any rate, it was hilarious to watch her "fish" for duckies with her leg.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentines Day
With lots of hugs and kisses we send everyone a message of friendship and love on Valentines Day.
The recent hiatus in writing will hopefully end soon. Mu was here in town for a week and I was back at work for a day so things have been rather busy. That said we have some great pictures to get up and as soon as I get the camera's battery charged I promise to make it happen!
So, instead of a picture of some of the Valentines Eleanor made (not yet downloaded), or the heart shaped pretzels (not yet downloaded), or flowers of some sort, we'll leave you with Eleanor blowing a kiss to everyone in red patent leather shoes, green pants and a purple sweater. No, wait, she's not blowing a kiss, she's pretending to burp and say excuse me -- just like Tiny Tim the frog. Well, you can pretend it's a kiss if you want!
The recent hiatus in writing will hopefully end soon. Mu was here in town for a week and I was back at work for a day so things have been rather busy. That said we have some great pictures to get up and as soon as I get the camera's battery charged I promise to make it happen!
So, instead of a picture of some of the Valentines Eleanor made (not yet downloaded), or the heart shaped pretzels (not yet downloaded), or flowers of some sort, we'll leave you with Eleanor blowing a kiss to everyone in red patent leather shoes, green pants and a purple sweater. No, wait, she's not blowing a kiss, she's pretending to burp and say excuse me -- just like Tiny Tim the frog. Well, you can pretend it's a kiss if you want!
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