As a perfect rainy-Memorial-weekend activity, we drove to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. We'd seen Eric give a talk before the museum opened and were inspired by his love for his work and obvious joy of life because of this.
Besides the joyous art on the walls, and the spacious, light-filled atmosphere, I really enjoyed the video in which Eric talks about his childhood and adult inspirations (especially the kindergarten teacher who, seeing his ability, told his parents to foster his artistic development). My favorite moment was when, in his own studio, he was showing how he creates the gorgeously colored tissue paper from which he cuts pieces for the collages that form his illustrations. Splattering paint, swirling it with his fingers, and gouging it with his brush's wooden end, he said with obvious delight "see, I can do anything I want". I had to hold back from yelling out "YEAH, WHOOO!", though I did clap my hands once and laugh loudly enough so my kids looked at me disapprovingly. To which I whispered hoarsely "I can do anything I want".
He also talked about how most adults lose maybe 90% of their childhood, and he, having lost maybe only 89%, can do what he does. We went to the studio area (a "sun-filled room, with large sheets of paper, colorful paints, and fat brushes", just as he remembered from his childhood) and worked with oil pastels. I tried to let stuff flow without worrying about what anyone thought of my work and realized how much of the inner judge includes a projection of other's opinions.
I hope I can keep the glow of inspiration and sense of freedom that I got there going through my work for awhile.
May 26, 2003 11:01 AM