The
bible verse 1 Corinthians 16:14 reads, “Let all that you do be done in
love.” For a while, this verse has meant a lot to me, as it displays a
beautiful script often surrounded by doves or other symbols of love.
Although this piece of art is not physical art, it is art through
literature. It is able to reveal and send a message to its readers and
followers in order to promote love and prosperity in life. It urges
everyone to act in love and demonstrate the act in everything that they
do.
This
specific verse is special to me because it spreads a universal message
of love and kindness. Within the text there are notions towards humility
and purpose, and encourages the audience to approach every action
genuinely and selflessly. It inspires me to reflect on my actions and
how I view the world around me. It's a perfect blend of spirituality and
creativity.
This
verse can be used in artistic representation to teach a lesson on
empathy in a plethora of classes. Students can analyze the verses'
meaning and take it in terms of what it may mean to them. Additionally
they can choose to apply it to create their own piece of physical art
that can coincide with the verse itself. This lesson would encourage
critical thinking, communication, and self reflection.
18
Finding Strength from God
Tim Savage
https://youtu.be/6mf6gtkt2VM?si=fjow3FUCMa3npEpw
One Last Breath is a song by American rock band Creed. The lyrics of
the song are about reflecting on past mistakes and seeking friends who
want to help. There are also lyrics about finding strength from God and
piece through the idea of Heaven. It was released in April 2002 from
their third studio album, Weathered. The song reached number six on the
US Billboard Top 100 and became their fourth and final top-10 hit. It
also reached number five on the Mainstream Rock chart and Billboard Hot
100 Airplay, number four on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, and number two
on the Adult Top 40 chart.
This song has meaning to me because I
have been listening to it as long as I can remember. I used to absolute
hate the song and band for awhile because I was sick of hearing it. But
then when I didn't hear it for years and finally did again, I realized
how good it was and it also reminded me of a bunch of fond memories
growing up. I also sent it to my cousin who I am close with and it was a
sort of funny moment because we both hated it and now find it good for
similar reasons. I listen to this song all the time because it always
puts me in a better mood and reminds me of simpler times.
I think
the experience here can be taught to anyone by having people find songs
they used to listen too ,whether they liked it or not, and having them
listen to it. In my opinion, it is very important to look back and not
only remember the good times, but also reflect on past mistakes, like
this song is about. I also think the bond between family is more
important than anything and music is a great way to both and build and
strengthen those relationships.
19
How Artists Use Visual Elements and Emotions
Jesus
Teaching Us A Lesson
Steven
Hardee
The
art that I am writing about actually comes from ARH 132. It is a piece that I examined
in class that brought many ideas to my attention that I wanted to share here
about teaching. These lessons that are seen in the image are Jesus willing to
endure pain for others, understanding people’s perspective and still holding
your understanding and lastly being strong when others need you to be. The piece
was constructed by El Greco and it is called “Christ Carrying the Cross.” El
Greco was a master Spanish painter. His style involved an expressionistic style
which he used to his advantage to give his subjects life in his painting. He was
a humanist in the sense that he loved pulling from Greek work and also used
this name that was spelled in Greek letters. The main theme of the piece was
Jesus. He is the central figure in the image and all of the lesson drives from
his presence. We also have the cross giving the image some importance to Jesus
being an important figure as well. Jesus and the cross seemed to be united in
the same way that Jesus is a God in the human form.
The piece is important to me
because of the duty that it calls on to me, the sense of pride towards my
belonging connected with religion, and also the ability to stand up for what is
right. I think the duty that it calls on to me is the fact that being a
christian is not just a saying, it is a way of life. That as a christian I must
embody the character that Jesus has set for us as an example and the importance
of that to be portrayed on to others. Just like that has been portrayed on to me.
Leaders show how to lead. Then the second reason has to do with the fact that I
might be in a place where not everyone respects me, just like how Jesus is here
while he is about to be one point but you must respect if other people have a
different point.
Lastly, what I take away from this is that you have to stand up
for what is right in a consistent and respectful way. You must not be swayed by
temptations and you must not give into letting your anger out to prove your
point. I think what can be taught through this piece is the fact that you can
have your own opinion on a stance while still respecting others but must be
strong to your point. This is what I would prove to the students that I was
teaching. The extremes that Jesus was taken to were not necessarily his own
doing but the fact that he stood up for his point without aggression and fear.
I think that the most present day example of that we know is the Martin Luther King (MLK) movement of
silent and peaceful protest.
21
Finding Beauty in Messy, Complicated Moments
Evan Gottlieb
Van Gogh’s Starry Night
has always been one of the most famous paintings in the world, and for
good reason. It’s got this swirling, dramatic night sky with deep blues
and glowing yellows that almost feel alive. There’s a peaceful little
village at the bottom of the painting, and this big cypress tree
stretches up toward the sky like it’s trying to connect the earth and
the stars. Van Gogh painted it while he was in an asylum, which adds
even more depth to the way the chaos of the sky feels balanced by the
calm of the village. It’s intense and beautiful, all at once.
Growing up, Van Gogh was always my favorite artist, and Starry Night
was my favorite piece of his. There was just something about the blue
and yellow in the painting that really spoke to me. The way the colors
swirl and seem to blend into one another felt calming to me, like it
captured a kind of chaos I could understand. When I looked at it, it
felt like Van Gogh took all the things that were hard to put into words
and painted them instead. Even now, I still find myself drawn to it
because it reminds me of finding beauty in messy, complicated moments,
which is something I’ve tried to hold onto.
I think Starry Night
could be an awesome way to teach a lesson. For something like science,
you could use it to talk about constellations or how the moon and stars
move in the night sky. If it’s an art class, it could be great for
showing how colors can make you feel something or how texture can bring a
painting to life. You could even use it in a writing class to get
people thinking about how art tells a story without words. For me,
though, I think the real lesson is how someone like Van Gogh could turn
all of his struggles into something so incredible. That’s a perspective
I’d love to share with others.
22
Where Objects are not Exactly Where You Might Expect Them
Zach Davidson
I choose to write about Salvador
Dalí’s Persistence of Memory from 1931. This art piece takes place on a
beautiful beach in what strongly resembles a dream, where objects are not exactly
where you might expect them. There is a branch on a large block, many clocks
that are losing form, another huge block in the distance, a sack that almost
looks like a horse, a tree branch, a clock covered in black dots, and a rock
formation in the background. The main colors that were used are browns, yellows,
and blues while there is a small amount of red/orange too.The more you look at
the painting, the more it really makes you think. It is an ominous painting that
makes you think about time.
I chose this art piece after I
remembered seeing it in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. I remember
how much the painting really made me think. The first thing I noticed was how it
resembled a dream and the clocks losing formation. This had me think about why
the clocks of all things were losing formation. I personally attributed it to
how time warps over the span of your life. As I have grown older, it is amazing
how much my perception of time has begun to change. Life moves much faster and
the days appear to be much shorter. It is weird to think how much this has
changed over the past few years and this painting helped me think about that.
While kids may have a harder time
thinking introspectively about the concept of time, the fact that this resembles
a dream like world is perfect for a lesson. Everyone dreams children included.
While we may not always remember our dreams, a fond memory of my childhood was pre-school or maybe even before this time where we discussed some of our funniest
dreams. In this lesson, the children could draw a painting on what they remember
their dream looking like and try to incorporate what took place. They would then
share it to the class and have to describe the dream and why they chose the
dream.
23
The Beauty of Finding Light and Movement in Darkness
Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night
is one of the most iconic paintings in the history of art, created in
1889 during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. This oil painting showcases a swirling
night sky dominated by a crescent moon, radiant stars, and cosmic
spirals, all hovering above a tranquil village with a towering cypress
tree connecting the earth to the heavens. The blue and yellow hues
create a dramatic contrast, and the movement within the brushstrokes
conveys an emotional intensity and depth.
Starry Night
holds a special place for me because it represents the beauty of
finding light and movement in darkness. Created during a tumultuous
period in Van Gogh’s life, the painting demonstrates his resilience and
ability to channel his struggles into creativity. It inspires me to view
challenges as opportunities for transformation. Furthermore, its
timeless quality and emotional resonance remind me that art can bridge
the gap between personal experience and universal emotion.
This
masterpiece can be used to teach a lesson on emotional expression and
mental health awareness in an art or social studies class. Students
could explore how Van Gogh’s personal challenges influenced his artistic
style and discuss the importance of expressing emotions constructively.
Through analyzing the painting’s elements, such as the swirling skies
and vivid colors, students can learn how art serves as a therapeutic
outlet for emotions. This discussion could also foster empathy and
reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, encouraging students
to explore creative outlets for their own well-being.
24
One of the Fanciest Paintings in the World
Aaron Kahn
The art piece I chose to write about is The Mona Lisa
which was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century. This
timeless piece is a portrait of a woman who is seated down. The
background is a combination of mountains, rivers, and roads. This is
highly considered one of the fanciest paintings in the world due to
the woman's soft smile and the beautiful techniques used by Da Vinci. The Mona Lisa is in Paris and the Louvre Museum and is visited by thousands of people every day.
The Mona Lisa is
very special because of the time period and artist it comes from. Da
Vinci is considered one of the best artists of all time due to his
mastery of techniques and his attention to precision and perfection. He
is able to convey the emotion through a simple portrait. The smile and
the eyes in the portrait are typically the most talked about subjects
and have caused artists to debate for centuries.
This painting is
the perfect example of artwork that can be used for a teaching lesson.
The Mona Lisa can teach observation and critical thinking in a
humanities class. Students can analyze the emotions as well as the
subtle details of the woman's face. It can also be used to teach about
the Renaissance period as it is one of the most important art pieces of
the period.
25
Direction
Will Hammer
The
painting is quite large, however it started off as a small sketch of layered
arrows, no color or shading. As I continued the sketch I added supplemental
lines that connected different edges and unified the shapes. With a concept
drawn I went to the store to purchase a canvas, along with materials like tape
and paint. The color palette I chose reflected the desert, showcasing different
tans, beiges, burnt oranges and burnt reds. I’m not sure why I chose this color,
but my time in the western deserts as a child certainly impacted my choice of
color. The process was quite laborious, taping out shapes, painting them,
waiting for that layer to dry and start again. The biggest unknowns were the
over spray and the layered paint. The over spray ended up creating phantom lines
that really add depth to the canvas. The layered paints subtly-affect the color
on top, further enhancing the depth.
This
project gave me confidence that I could paint a large canvas, something I had
never tried until that point. Painting probably took 7-8 hours but the process
was very fulfilling. I chose a very simple painting method that allowed for
mistakes and opportunities to make changes during the project, there was a lot of
making it up on the go. It is very basic at heart, with many simple shapes making
a complex and moving form. It is visually compelling because of the depth and
misdirection, but it is not complicated. That tends to be my style, and to this
day the painting represents what I design in architecture and my following paintings.
That is a
lesson or project that I believe would be beneficial to teach as an abstract
art opportunity. It is important to give them time to plan, sketch, and think
through the painting before they get to touch the canvas. The design process
will take about a week, and the teacher will need to see a sketch before they
get their canvas. Then students will have several weeks to measure, tape, paint
and create whatever they want on a 3’ x 5’ canvas. This absolute freedom will
challenge them to pick a direction and trust their judgment. I believe the
current education system limits the opportunity to use imagination and paint
whatever you want. Despite many other paintings, this is still one of a few that
hangs in my room, and I learned so much from trying something new.
26
Groundbreaking Techniques in Perspective
Ryan Newitz
The Last Supper by Leonardo da
Vinci is a monumental Renaissance artwork painted between 1495 and 1498 in Milan,
Italy. The painting depicts the dramatic moment when Jesus announces that one
of his disciples will betray him, and each figure is portrayed with distinctive
expressions and gestures. Leonardo employed groundbreaking techniques in
perspective and light, drawing the viewer's attention to Jesus at the center.
Despite its deterioration over time, the work remains a testament to Leonardo's
genius and an iconic symbol of Western art.
This piece of art is special
because it goes beyond being a mere depiction of a biblical scene; it captures
the raw humanity and emotional depth of a pivotal moment in Christian history. Leonardo
da Vinci’s innovative use of perspective, light, and composition brings the scene
to life, making it feel timeless and universally relatable. Writing about it
allows me to reflect on its artistic brilliance and enduring impact on both art
and spirituality.
It can be used to teach a lesson
on emotional intelligence and communication. Each disciple’s reaction to Jesus'
announcement showcases a range of human emotions—from shock to
denial—illustrating how people respond differently to unexpected news. By
analyzing these reactions, students can learn to identify and empathize with
diverse emotional states, fostering a deeper understanding of interpersonal
dynamics.
27
Small Gestures are Just as Important
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbw4-yOszDc
“Little
Things” by Ella Mai is a song about a woman showing her appreciation to
her significant other through small, subtle actions. These actions are
what make their relationship thrive and prosper. It’s important to note
that the small gestures are just as important as the big ones and most
times mean the most to people.
I
think this song in particular is important for me to write about
because I think I relate on a personal level. In all of my
relationships, I like to make things easier for people. Similar to the
song, I will do actions small or big to show someone I care or
appreciate them. Since I am a college student without a real job, I have
to be creative and find ways to show my love to those I care about.
I
would use this song to allow students to come up with little ways to
make themselves happy. It’s important to find ways to cheer themselves
up or just enjoy time with themselves in general. I could extend the
lesson and encourage students to help around the house and classroom to
help out their parents and teachers. Small actions such as picking up
after themselves would be emphasized. This lesson would help communicate
the importance of their health and well-being.
28
The Vast, Cosmic Scene
"Starry Night Over the Rhône,"
painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1888, is a beautiful representation of a
quiet night in Arles, France. The painting captures a glowing night sky
filled with stars and their reflections shimmering on the Rhône River above. Van Gogh uses deep blues and vibrant yellows to make the stars
and lights stand out, creating a feeling of calm yet wonder. In the
foreground, you can see a couple walking along the riverbank, adding a
personal touch to the vast, cosmic scene. The combination of natural
starlight and the town’s gaslights creates a peaceful and magical
atmosphere.
This painting stands out to me because it shows how
Van Gogh was able to express such a deep sense of awe and peace through
his brushstrokes and colors. It’s not just a picture of a river and
stars—it feels emotional, like you’re standing there under the night
sky, taking it all in. I think it’s also interesting because it reflects
how Van Gogh saw the world differently, focusing on the beauty of a
moment we might overlook. Writing about it feels meaningful because it’s
a reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things in life, like
the stars or a walk by the water.
This piece could be used in a
science class to teach about light and reflection. For example, the way
the stars and gaslights reflect off the water could lead to a discussion
about how light interacts with surfaces and why water creates such
vivid reflections. It could also tie into astronomy, using the stars in
the painting as a way to introduce constellations or the brightness of
stars. Combining art with science makes learning more engaging and shows
how these subjects connect in unexpected ways.
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