These days in the village I am happiest when working on art projects with the kids after school,(sometimes in class) and on weekends. The intensity with which these children respond to expressing themselves visually and creatively, even with the simplest of drawings, it never ceases to amaze me. Their reactions are so enthusiastic it makes me want to run home and draw too! Actually, I did make a drawing of one of the village girls using only crayola crayons, and I have to admit, it was quite satisfying. I felt like one of the kids humming away and scribbling with random colors.
I don’t think I can properly explain all the reasons why art is such a powerful tool. It crosses language as well as cultural barriers and it provides a way for all children to communicate without restriction. It can free a person in so many ways and take them to a different place that can be a universe away from their poverty and helplessness, like walking from a dark, narrow hallway into a field of colorful flowers; a place truly their own.
*Sigh. I had planned to write about my latest village weirdness, but now this has just turned into a random dramatic tangent. Oh well, let's just go for broke and I'll throw another one in.
I've been doing portraits of the villagers and their children, which are actually coming out quite fabulous if I do say so myself. When I can get some decent art supplies I think they might be quite fantastic. For now I've been using the kid’s supplies when their not around, and sometimes even pieces of charcoal from the fire in the tea shop. I suppose I’ve been a little lazy about trying to find real materials to work with (art school buddies, roll your eyes if you must). So, the point is, I'm going to try to sell them on line and if you have the time please look at my page on flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/artbyjen and I’d love it if you could tell your friends J and give me your feedback. They say a true artist needs no audience, but making art in a vacuum is a real b**ch!
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