Anatomy Of A Visual Story
Morning Essentials
"Morning Essentials" 20"x20" $1800 Now on exhibit Gallery At Cherry
Hill
Hi!
After I wrote last week about the importance of the story in a
painting, I got to thinking on that topic more deeply.
As I interacted with followers on Facebook and Instagram, I came to a
conclusion that I find extremely freeing. And I thought you might find
this insight helpful too, whether as a painter or as an art lover...or
both.
We humans are hard-wired for internal storytelling.
First, it helps to understand exactly what a story is and why I
concluded that there is ALWAYS a story, even when I didn't plan it
consciously.
In literacy, the five fundamental elements of a story are the
characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. Great writers, the
ones who keep you glued to a book, involve more elements than these and
delve much deeper with each.
A good writer will allow the reader to do some of the intellectual work
through description of a character's body language, through
foreshadowing, and inference. Half the fun in reading a good mystery is
figuring out some things yourself, which is why we teach young writers
to 'show, don't tell.'
There is always some sort of resolution in a written story, even if
it's not what you'd hoped for or it leaves you with a
cliff-hanger...until the sequel comes out.
In a visual story, the painter crafts the characters, the setting, and
sometimes the conflict, but rarely shows you the conclusion.
This is because no matter the form, the storyteller knows that the
reader/viewer will bring their own experiences to the table.
What this means for a painter is that it doesn't matter if all the
elements are there. The viewer will supply any that are missing. In
fact, they want to, and as I suggested earlier, they almost can't help
it.
Just for kicks, let's play a little visual association game.
Look at each image below and pay attention to what happens there in
your brain.
No words, just images....GO!
1.
1.
Falling Feather 4
2.
littleboyshoes pref
3.
Dandelion seeds
4.
piedemofinishedpies
5.
ronsgreatblueheron pntg
6.
It's likely that at least one of these will have had some special
meaning for you, and brought on a flood of related mental images,
unique to you... different from every other person who looks on them.
Which image did you enjoy most?
Which one made you long for days gone by?
Now what if the image were less complex?... like a single object with
very little action or context provided, like the two below?
autumnteacup-pntg
7.
gildedapple-pntg
8.
You would finish each story for yourself based on your own experiences.
And therein lies the beauty of story in art...something touched you.
When that happens, the art becomes deeply personal.
I used to feel that I was selling myself short if I opted to paint
'pretty pictures' with no clear narrative involved.
Now I count a painting 'successful' if someone brings their own story
to it.
How freeing is that?!! I can weave a complex story if I feel so
inclined.
I can....but I don't have to. 'Cause you've got a brain too.
Be sure and take a little time for birdsong this week!
Jan
P.S. Next Giveaway is first Saturday in November.
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