Do White-throats sing Beethoven's Fifth?
16 years ago
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16 years ago- 16 years ago
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How do I learn to *see*?
Comments (29)I know this thread is somewhat out of date, but it raises some interesting points and I have a thing or two to add. Be warned: my response is long. First, I've been a professional artist for almost 20 years and I can tell you with certainty that, whether in a painting or a landscape, what is a focal point for one person is not necessarily the focal point for another. The idea that we all instantly grasp something -- the same thing -- as a focal point is aesthetic nonsense bordering on mysticism. The concept that you can "lead the eye" around is just as faulty. Unfortunately, it's a concept that has stubbornly survived all evidence to the contrary and is still being written into well-meaning books and spoken by well-meaning artists. Naturally, when you have variety in shapes, sizes, texture and color, the eye will move around, but if you line up 10 people and tell them to write down the first 5 things that they notice in a particular landscape, I guarantee you you'll get 10 completely different lists. Second, drawing may or may not help you "see". The best way I've found to see is to look uncritically (called "innocent eyes" or "with the eyes of a child") at something and take note of the first thoughts that pop into your head. Take note of where YOU look, and what YOU notice. In the books you mentioned, whatever YOUR eyes did when looking at the images defined the focal point(s) FOR YOU and that's all that matters. Some things appeal to you, some don't. Some draw your eye, some never will. Third, I find that having difficulty visualizing an end result is sometimes dependent on someone's skill level at whatever they're attempting, but (not implying that this is you) some people simply don't visualize well, and it's a very individual, grey-matter related issue that training may not "fix". Some people can do difficult number crunching in their heads, some can mentally replay music they've heard only briefly, some can visualize whatever they want -- the vast majority of us have some minor skills in each of those areas, but the experience is highly personal so don't get down on yourself if you don't visualize well: it might just not be your thing. If you see a landscape you really like, your best bet is to try to figure out why exactly you like it, and it might not end up being for the reason that you think. Give it some time. You may have to study something many times before you can begin to break down the elements well enough to consider their impact on you. I've had a lot of experience analyzing old masters' paintings, and sometimes it's surprising to realize in the end what drew me to a piece. Some people look at a landscape in awe, the most superficial layer of their thought registers "pretty flowers!", they run out and get a bunch of flowers in appealing colors, throw them together and hate the result. Another person might look at the same landscape, peel back their first layer of thought and then notice that the foliage is highly varied in texture and color and that the flowers are singing back-up, and they'll run out and get a bunch of perennials with interesting foliage, throw them together and hate the result. A third person gets past the flowers and foliage and sees the natural and appealing layering of heights and sizes, as well as the ... well, anyway, you get the point. Maybe it isn't the varied shades of pink flowers that I like so much in the picture but the way they all drape loosely and languidly into the flagstone path. If I try to build a garden around tall, statuesque plants with pink flowers, I'll be disappointed because I duplicated the wrong element. Maybe it's not the pink flowers or their uncontrolled exuberance but the repetition of contrasting blue and yellow foliage plants that captures my heart. In other words, know thyself! You need to be patient and analyze. Analyze, analyze, analyze. Pick out the half-dozen or so garden images that leave you absolutely breathless and look at them again and again until you can reason through what it is that really works for you in those images. Feel first, then reason, but you need both. You have to come to some understanding about your own aesthetics before you can possibly hope to design something that appeals to you. Good luck!...See MoreNo birds singing any more???
Comments (21)The hummingbirds seem to have left for the season now - I haven't seen any since just before the big rains (northeaster and Hurricane Kyle). I'll keep the feeder up for a few weeks in case a migrant hummer comes through hungry. With all the fall vegetation it's hard to see all the birds. Except of course for the turkeys which stand out in any vista. Usually the turkeys stroll into the yard, but few days ago they were all riled up, probably by neighborhood dogs, and I heard a lot of yoyking in the woods. I went out to fill the feeders and spread seed on the ground, but I couldn't see any turkeys. Until I happened to look up, and there was a big turkey perched in a pitch pine above me. It flew off into the woods and soon after the whole flock walked in for dinner. I guess they wanted to make sure food was ready before they took a chance on the ground. And on the other end of the size scale, the House Sparrows are bopping around and having pool parties. Aside from these, I have cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, a few Blue Jays and doves and I saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker last week. I think a hawk flew by this morning. Claire...See Moreupdate: white elephant swap continued
Comments (114)I think that would be a good idea.. like "White Elephant Round 2!!" but we could still finish filling up THIS thread with our chatter until it hits 150 msgs? I think I saved a copy of the boxes' contents in my yahoo notepad to refer back to, but I will still "need" a running list of who has what box at any given time or leastwise I think it would be useful - that way if any "stealing" does indeed happen, we can just look at the running list and see which box we are getting when we've been "thieved" :)...See MoreChanges. Where and when do you stop?
Comments (25)Holly K. Think about a travel trailer...you take your own comfortable bed with you. (we are saving up for one!) This is a very interesting topic. We downsized last year from the home where we raised our kids to a "no mow, no snow" house, that is newer, but actually the same size as our old house. A better layout for adult kids, as there are 3 full baths, offering more privacy. And we will be able to have single level living (with potential for a caregiver living space) once we are really old. Some of our friends thought our moving was so daring and bold...it did require us to be open to change. And the home is newer and more open, so fewer things. We got rid of a lot, which I found very freeing. As to decor and clothes and technology. In my opinion, keeping current with things that are a part of you interacting with the world, especially like phones and computers, are essential to being a person who is engaged and informed. Keeping "current" with fashion and decorating is more toward the hobby/special interest end of the spectrum. Though to be sure, ones appearance may fall more to the being engaged in the world end(in particular if one is working it can be quite important to keep up to date, or at least to blend in/look appropriate). And there are some occupations where home entertainment is part of the job. In that case I do think that keeping up current decor is important. Aside from that, I think that generally as I get older, I am more confident to say I want to do this, and I really don't want to do that. (For example, want to have my hair look really up to date; won't wear high heels anymore). (Want to have gray walls, No Chevrons Please!) But I really enjoy knowing what is new/stylish/on trend,even if I won't buy into the style. Enough to read the magazines when I get my hair done, and some online mags, and weekend newspapers....See More- 16 years ago
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Deborah Kolar