Vivi-Mari Carpelan Hanko,FinlandIf you would like to subscribe to a quality blog that is both beautiful and thought provoking,check out artist Vivi-Mari Carpelan's blog entitled: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY ON PLANET EARTH. Vivi-Mari's recent post,"Beauty, Truth and Art," is particularly interesting and addresses the subjectivity of perception in regard to art and beauty and the ability of an individual to recognize the beauty that is inherent in all natural things.Is beauty truly in the eye of the beholder? It seems that some,have a greater ability to "see" beauty.Perhaps when we are mindful and receptive,beauty reveals itself. Vivi-Mari also observes that beauty and art are often confused and not necessarily equivalent. Obviously not all art is beautiful, but the most aesthetically displeasing,melancholy or symbolic may elicit a reaction that makes one aware of beauty in its purest sense...the beauty of emotion,spirituality, thought or yes, even the physical.Thank you Vivi-Mari for your words and reflections. May you always see beauty in the world around you:)It is there!
KINDERGARTEN RESOLUTIONS: 2009
I am an art educator in a New Jersey public school and have the pleasure of spending 180 days with 700 energetic five year olds. It is necessary to simplify ideas for them but they are without a doubt, intelligent and receptive.So to ring in the new year, prior to our exploration of multicultural arts and crafts,we discussed the idea of making resolutions.I explained that grown ups make these "personal promises" in an effort to improve themselves and make positive changes. In my art class, we decided to make our own collective resolution and to repeat our promise each week. We talked about the importance of trying our best and not comparing ourselves to others. Their "job" as "Kinderartists", and as people, is to be the very best that they can be and to become who they are meant to be.I told them that Miss Judy,(that's me), resolves to become a better artist but asked them if wishing was enough?Absolutely not they responded, "you have to practice!" Wishing alone does not make it so, but it sure helps! So I shared with them this "secret" and told them to remember it and spread the word...
WISHING + WANTING + WORKING = WINNING! So before we commenced creating art,we hugged ourselves (really you have to be there...it is an incredibly "happy" place),and said in unison our 2009 Art class resolution,"I wish to be, the very best me!"
It really was a magical sight to see them, eyes closed,as they were working and some, as they left my studio, hugging themselves and whispering those words,"I wish to be the very best me." What could be better?...except of course, for them to believe it and live their dreams. I think that some of them will! Practice and Persist!:)
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