In all I am, do, and will write, my aim is to hit God's mark. I will have moments of being misguided as I am not perfect, but know that I serve a God that loves me through it all.
This morning I was sitting back enjoying thumbing through the posts contributed to the recent Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival hosted by The Heart of Harmony. The Clouds of Art Show at Hearts and Trees entry created quite a stir at our house. I had three little people climbing on me, sitting on my head and vying for the best seat to see all the lovely pictures of clouds. And I was contentedly listening to their chatter regarding each picture.
Beautiful, of course, was not lacking words to express her responses. Handsome had a few things to say here and there. And Sweetness just kept looking back and forth from the pictures to Beautiful to Handsome and to the pictures again...absorbing, absorbing...
Vincent Van Gogh-Wheat Field Under Threatening Skies...
Beautiful: "I'm sure that's a dragon's tail running through that field."
Handsome (ever the realist): "NO! It's a trail! See?"
Claude Monet-Water Lilies (The Clouds)...
Beautiful: "Just like a mirror!" (She even jumped up and positioned herself behind and above the computer and announced to her younger siblings that that is where the clouds really are!)
Handsome (looking at her like she has got to be the craziest sister alive): "I see lilies; where are the crocodiles?"
George Innes-Passing Clouds...
Beautiful: "Just like when we are looking out the window at Grandma and Grandpa's house! See the mountains in the clouds?"
Handsome (not to be out-done): "No! My turn to talk! See that giant sheep and the mountains like at Grandma and Grandpa's house? Why is that man smoking? That's yucky."
Beautiful: "That's not a giant sheep; it's a buffalo!"
(I proceeded to enlarge the picture so they could see it a little more clearly.)
Beautiful: "Oh, it's a cluster of trees. And, look, it is Fall. See how the leaves are yellow?"
Handsome: "It's a giant sheep. Why is that man smoking?" (Okay, so he takes after me and doesn't like to back down.)
Claude Monet-The Stroll (Woman with a Parasol)...
Beautiful: "I don't like that picture. She looks cold even though the sun is shining. The wind is making her hair look funny and ugly." (Lord, help me. I've got such a girlie-girl.)
Handsome: "It's not raining. She doesn't need the umbrella."
Emily Carr-Scorned as Timber, Beloved of the Sky...
Beautiful: "I love this picture! I could just climb into it and explore! Wouldn't that be fun? That's a huge, explosive cloud!"
Handsome: "Look at those TALL trees!"
John Constable-Cloud Study...
Beautiful: blank stare
Handsome: "I like the blue cloud. I like blue."
John Constable-Study of Clouds at Hampstead...
Beautiful: blank stare
Hansome: "I see a storm there coming. See the black cloud?"
I was contentedly listening to them talk amongst themselves. But it was Beautiful's response to the last painting represented in the cloud show, however, that made me gasp...
Lawren Harris-Clouds, Lake Superior...
Beautiful: "Lake Superior! Just like in Paddle to the Sea! This painting looks like Greyling!"
Guys, it has been over three months since we have looked at the book Paddle to the Sea! I have never read Greyling to her! But look how she was making connections! Yes, they both made connections in the other paintings, but I kinda would expect that about everyday life discussions. But, for this little girl to make connections not from everyday life but from her own studies, was just SO rewarding to hear!
But, she took it one step further. She ran to get her book, Greyling by Jane Yolen, to see if Lawren Harris was the illustrator! All this without my nudging at all!
The extra bonus is...guess what I found her doing this afternoon! Come on, guess! She was outside with her bin of crayons and paper with clipboard drawing pictures of clouds! (I know, I know, I should post a picture of her drawing. Teaching me how to use my new camera, how to download it onto my computer, and get the picture onto my blog is quite the challenge for my husband.)
Let your children soar, Ladies! Don't sweat it; our children ARE learning. Even when we are dragging our feet dealing with morning sickness.
Many Blessings,
Holly
P.S. Just so you know, Lawren Harris is NOT the illustrator of Greyling. It is David Ray. But we had a great discussion on how the styles did look similar. Sorry, I tried to find an illustration to post, but apparently the book is out of print. All the used copies I found online didn't show a picture.
This is a four star entry....loved every word, every thought.
I think this is a great message and I would love to share it on my blog if you wouldn't mind that I linked to you.
My daughter was humbled to know that her cloud art show was so well received in your family. Thank you so much for writing it all down and how it effected the children. They are never too young for great art.
And you thought you didn't have something worthwhile to share for the carnival......Holly, this deserves to be in every carnival for the rest of the year in my opinion.
Holly,
Thank you so much for sharing the link to this post. It made me smile to hear your children's comments about each painting. This is really what I hoped I could inspire by posting the art shows on my blog. I am planning on making them a regular feature, so be sure to check my blog for them. My next art show theme is going to either be the ocean or rivers.
Have a great day,
Amanda
www.heartsandtrees.blogspot.com
Posted by Amanda- Hearts and Trees at 8:14 AM, Mar. 5, 2008
I just read an email from Barb.... it mentioned her daughter’s blog entry on art and clouds... and also mentioned your entry as well... I just had to come and read...
What a delight that must have been to hear your children chatter with such excitement! The connections your daughter made was pretty wonderful too.
Thank you so much for sharing! What a joy and a blessing...
