Sunday Scribbling #149
Art.
Oh yes, that word does bring up quite the controversy for me. I have a long and sordid history with the “art”.
I have been linked with art since I was a small child.
“Oh, she is so creative!”
“What an interesting child, she MUST be an artist!”
I get the feeling where I grew up, art was synonymous with peculiar, bohemian or straight up odd and in trying to not destroy my sensitive little spirit they gave me “art”. Which I am very thankful for, they could have given me something like typist or picture hanger.
From a very early age I had this relationship with art. (I do think it is mostly because I could color in the lines more than my mad drawing skillz) Art, or in this case “coloring” was my friend, my escape. As I grew older and started picking my own friends, they were always more creative types. Punk Rockers, Hippies, Artists (funny we all had that label). So, you see, I KNEW art, or thought I did.
My senior year my arch nemesis Mr.B became the Art Teacher replacing a much loved teacher who unfortunately had boundary issues with students (she thought that liquor laws were so barbaric and, well you get the idea…). I had a history with Mr. B, he was my Art Teacher in elementary school, I remember that I really didn’t like him then either. The VERY first day of school he gave us a writing assignment-IN ART! (I was so put off. I didn’t take art to WRITE, Mr.B!)
“Please write a one page essay on the topic of what YOU think is Art. Due Tomorrow.”
Oh, ok, I can do that, after all, Art and I, we go way back.
So, I wrote it.
I was proud of it.
I think I even skipped when I handed it in.
I got it back the next day with a HUGE RED F written across the top!
What the heck?
Yo Mr.B what is up with the F?
“You my dear did satisfactorily answer my question. What you supplied me with is NOT the definition of art, it was drivel!”
Oh the agony. He just told ME that I DIDN’T know art.
And now I was failing a class ON my dear old friend. Oh the misery!
Looking back, he was probably right in saying what I called art was certainly NOT because I vaguely recall something about the way the light shines through the trees. Or maybe anything that has been created is art because it is an expression of beauty.
I don’t know.
I do remember arguing with him for a good 10 minutes about the wording of our assignment. IF he had wanted a DEFINITION, don’t ask for an OPINION.
I still got an F and I still haven’t gotten over it. 22 years later.
Maybe I should.
After all, I now know that he was not making a personal call about me and my dear friend art, he was just saying that my writing sucked!
(hey wait a minute….)
Lynn Mosher Said,
February 5, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
LOL! Even though all that stuck with you, I’m glad to see that it hasn’t affected your love of art and writing. Phooey on Mr. B! You keep at it! Loved this look back. Thanks!
Blessings…Lynn
Lynn Mosher’s last blog post..Finger Painting
GeL(Emerald Eyes) Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 9:44 am
Ah, those memories that stick with us. What a curse to have the same teacher in high school as in elementary school when you didn’t bond! I’m glad to see that experience hasn’t kept you from either art or writing.
(here via Sun. Scribblings)
floreta Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
that is weird. art is a very broad, subjective term and can be anything, really. it really seems like an opinion piece, as you’ve stated so i have no idea why you’d get an F. that person doesn’t know art. cos art has no boundaries..
floreta’s last blog post..Art: A Freewrite
Daily Panic Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
I am creative and I am a little thrown when some one asks me if I am an artist. To kids I answer-yes, I am. To adults I say, I’m practicing.
I think you were right to express art as passion, and think he was wrong to define it- Art is wide open.
To each their own!
Daily Panic’s last blog post..Haw Haw Hee Hee hoot – Who’s laughing? Not me.
Fledgling Poet Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Art is so subjective…who was Mr. B. to tell you your definition was wrong or right? I think we all had ‘that one teacher’ who was put into our lives to get on our every last nerve…lol. Loved your post… :~)
Fledgling Poet’s last blog post..Sunday Scribblings: Art
ModernSingleMomma Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Thanks so much Molly for following my journey to Kentucky. I like the pic of the suitcase too
I’m so happy I found your blog. Great post. I remember a similar question about ART posed to me. Funny memories of my response. I thought I was so cool– I was into conceptual art, you know…Marcel Duchamp’s urinal.
ModernSingleMomma’s last blog post..We Made it to KENTUCKY!
Linda May Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Still smarting from his views which were enforced on you, get a life Mr B, art is in the eye of the beholder.
gautami tripathy Said,
February 7, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Just keep doing your thing.
rough drafting of art
Tammie Said,
February 7, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
Oh gosh teachers like that drive me crazy. I had an art teacher that yelled at me because I made my mountains quite pointy on top – “do you see any mountains like that when you look outside?”, no, but I sure have since. But art is the place of freedom to do what ever one wants, that is my take on it!
Tammie’s last blog post..The Art of Blogging
La SIgnorita Said,
February 7, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
oooh boy everyone has done is so ARTSYLY and I FEEL WEIRD NOW
La SIgnorita’s last blog post..iCelebrity!
Lilibeth Said,
February 7, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
Sometimes we have to learn to persevere. Just call him an obstacle, meant to make you stronger…that’s all some people are good for–they teach patience and other virtues (like how to not strangle someone in wrath). Anyway, I’m glad you kept writing and doing whatever it is with the light and trees.
Lilibeth’s last blog post..My World–Claye’s Art Show
Cam Said,
February 8, 2009 @ 12:54 am
Don’t we all have at one point or another a teacher like that in our favorite subject? Who says or does something that almost crushes our creative spirit? Good that it didn’t get you down!
Tumblewords Said,
February 8, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
I’ve always thought people were creative, based on the fact that it often requires creativity to survive. Enjoyed your post!
Tumblewords’s last blog post..Art for Sunday Scribblings
Sweet Talking Guy.. Said,
February 8, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
In this little bit of bohemia you can just write it on the wall!
Sweet Talking Guy..’s last blog post..Sunday Scribblings "Art"
Leah Said,
February 10, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
That teacher would have got on my nerves, too, and he is right now LOL. He asked what you THOUGHT. Therefore he can’t grade it. Teachers–in my opinion and the way I’ve taught–should only grade on what has been made clear that students are to learn/understand and deliver. How can he give an F for that assigment? Shouldn’t have had any grade whatsoever.
About that light through the trees….you mean that certain slant that creates magical sparkling jewels ?