Article #19 -Shaping Up Your Holiday Party with Fine Art
Art Lady – Arrachme
Together we will marry shape with fun in our everyday life.
In art study, we find that shape is one of the vital elements for creating any style of art. Combining texture, color, and the line can result in geometric or organic shapes. Identifying the origin of the shape can demystify an understanding of abstraction. Everywhere we look, we can train ourselves to see shapes. For example, the cylinder vessels used to drink water are shaped. Look at the half-circle containers we use to have afternoon tea.
The Garden
Whilst, sitting at my desk writing this story for you, I can see my neighbor ritualistically and meticulously forming flat, round, and square shapes from overgrown bushes. When done he stands back and exhales. He could not be happier with a job well done. The garden is magnificent. In three weeks, it is safe to say that he will be able to start all over with this exercise of pride and joy. So, it might not be too presumptuous to say that it is impossible to imagine life without shape.
When I teach painting, I always include at least one art class that is almost entirely on the concept of shape. It can be the catalyst to begin a painting, the middle point of a painting that spreads out repeating shapes to create balance, or it can be the final puzzle piece that finishes a painting.
Shapes are powerful tools. They can cross over language barriers and break down communication divisions. Sign language also contains many hand shapes. A baby may use shapes to express desires before they have a complete vocabulary. When I forget a word, I will describe what I am saying by pointing or making shapes directed at my husband. “Could you close that cabinet door”? With immediate and gracious intent, the door closes before I can finish my shape.
History and Shape
Picasso discovered the importance of connecting shapes from different vantage points. This became what we know today as Cubism. My enclosed whimsical painting, “Untethered Happiness” is an example of how shapes can be used to create a fun fine art painting.
The Holiday Game
For fun, let’s turn everyone at the next party into a shape maker. It is sure to bring a smile and even some chuckles during this holiday season.
Give everyone two pieces of paper. Instruct them to randomly draw a shape on both pieces of paper. They can discover shapes by looking around the room. If they have a hard time finding shapes, it might be helpful to read this article out loud.
Each person folds and drops the small piece of paper in a hat. Pass the hat. Each time a guest pulls out a piece of paper, the shape on it becomes theirs to use. They add the shape to their big piece of paper and then put it back in the hat. Here are some ideas as to what to do with the shapes. They can overlap their shapes, repeat a shape, alter the size, or make it have thick or thin lines. After three rounds, the guest shares what they have created. Creativity will flow, and laughter will ensue. Joy is a certainty. They can take their paper home and make a greeting card…but that’s another art lady article. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
