Today, I taught our co-op about the incredible Dutch Tulip Mania of the 1600's. I read the book The Great Tulip Trade about this fascinating time. Tulips became so popular, that one bulb could trade for a whole year's salary! Then, there was a big tulip "crash" and the bulbs were worth practically nothing. Some people lost all their money. The girls really enjoyed the book - and the strange story.
I then talked about the Dutch painter Jan Van Huysum. He was an incredible painter of still life - primarily flowers - and they are currently having a large exhibit of his work at our local art museum. A few interesting things: he sometimes dated his paintings with 2 years as he waited for the correct flowers to come into bloom; he wasn't concerned about the correct size of the flowers he painted; and most of his paintings have various "bugs" (flies, butterflies, snails, etc) "hiding" in his painting. I went to the exhibit last week and it was fun to hunt for the bugs.
Lastly, we tried our own still life painting of a bouquet. I had bought a flower bunch from our grocery store, but I thought they looked really bad when I tried to arrange them. So, my friend Ms. S helped me out and I think we both discovered that we were better at flower arranging than we thought. I think it turned out very pretty! Looks pretty enough to give as a gift!
Painting flowers was a little harder than I thought, but I once again enjoyed the process and am ready to try it again some time! That's my bouquet above - I took some creative license and the flowers aren't exactly like the ones in our arrangement. There are things I would change... but maybe next time...
I am in awe of anyone who can sit down and paint/draw something like you did the flowers. I have never been blessed with the ability to draw. Oh, I have tried it and have done okay at times, but I it is not a natural talent of mine. Madison is sittint in the den right now drawing one thing after another...she really has an interest in it.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool how we, as moms and especially homeschooling moms, can help but to do a lot of what we are passionate about with our children. I wish I could give mine more opportunities to learn about art and art appreciation, but it's hard for me becaust it's not something that I am drawn to. However, take writing and I just can't get enough of it or teach it enough. Unfortunately, writing is like anything else...you can't teach someone to love it. I try to make it as exciting as I can.
I love your picture....you did a great job!!! Keep drawing and sharing them with us.
I think it's beautiful! And you're so lucky to have such a great co-op.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome lesson! I may have to steal this one. :-) I love your still-life.
ReplyDeleteHi Dana,
ReplyDeleteIt's me again. I wanted to ask you if it is okay that I mentioned you in my last blog post and put a link to this entry. I'll take it out if you want me to, but I hope you will let me leave it in there. The entry on my blog is titled "Inspired". Let me know!