Mar. 29, 2007 - Wild Beast
So much changes in a year. Last year was the year of the hands on projects in our homeschool. When we studied the Middle Ages, we built an entire medieval village. The serf had a house made out of twigs and mud. The doctor had a nicer house made out of bark with a garden out back for his herbs. The knight had a castle to work out of. Etc. Etc. Then we moved onto the Revolutionary War and brought our imaginations with us. We designed invitations to our own Boston Tea Party. Paul Revere inspired us to cast silver (both a plaster and a chocolate version). And so on. That was a fun year.
This year is so different. Not that we can't do hands on, but we seem to have crossed some invisible line in the sand. Sister Bear prefers to write reports, and she makes it known with her turned up nose at "kiddish" activities. Brother Bear does so much artistically in his own time, that he doesn't notice if we don't always have a really cool and exciting project everyday. The academic load is increasing, and the smell of hormones is in the air. Everyone is growing up. So we read, and we write, and we read, and we write. Baby Bear is the one who colors and makes messes with me now. She alone appreciates the attraction of paint and glue. Everyone else has their nose in a book. How quickly things change.
Except for "artist of the month day", that is. Sometimes we read a biography of the artist. Sometimes we see the works in person at a museum. We always make our own reproduction of their style, though. No matter how much Sister Bear groans, we get out the craft supplies and create. I feel myself instantly getting excited during this time. It's the old days come back again for one afternoon. It's scissors, gunk, and beauty.
This month we studied Henri Matisse and fauvism. Literally meaning "wild beast" in French, Matisse's style was given this name, because it was so wild and shocking.
"The Knife Thrower" by Henri Matisse
You gotta hand it to Matisse. In the Post Impressionist world of soft watercolors and reserved oil on canvas, the guy had the guts to cut out paper and glue it. Picasso and the rest of modern art soon followed him, so he wasn't shocking for long, but I admire a man who sees the value in scissors and paste.
Sister Bear created a cat on a table, and Brother Bear created a nameless face. More treasures for my gallery. So now we have our own Matisse-inspired masterpieces, and I got my project fix for another month. Guess it's back to the books.
Comments
Mar. 29, 2007 - wow...
Posted by FaithfulGrace
what cool projects! You are inspiring. And your children are beautiful. I enjoyed catching up on your blog entries.
I appreciate your comments on my blog.
Continuing to pray for your recovery.
Blessings,
Linda
