So beautiful that I have to say it⋯⋯

Comprehensive report on A100 art appreciation introductory class

Looking back at the writing camp in 2004, I shared my oil paintings during the time of looking at pictures and telling stories. Frankly speaking, contemporary painting is sometimes difficult to understand, but sincerity is better than anything else. After "frank explanation", at least the distance between art has been shortened. That lively discussion seemed to light a fire in my heart. I know that although the road of creation will be lonely, it is not lonely.

One day, Sister Lili told me that it’s time to hold an art camp next year! Because of this vision of beauty, the art camp was born in the summer of 2005. Lili gave me full freedom to design the course, which was unprecedented but an exciting challenge. It makes me keep thinking, how to turn abstraction into reality? What does beauty or not beauty have to do with life? After going through this "journey of thoughts", I once again felt the mystery and richness of God.

The 2005 Art Camp is a new beginning. The registration qualification column states: "Everyone who loves beauty is welcome!" I am looking forward to who will show up with "curious confidence"? Sister Li Li said it well: “The best candidate is the one God brings.” Obviously, God is a God who listens to prayers. The seven "beauties" in the class, plus Mr. Jinka Chen who was filming the video, after spending four days together, all of them are impressive!

Maria Monastery itself is an ideal classroom: the beautiful corridor is the best place to explain perspective; the surrounding mountains and forests are model students demonstrating color; the stained glass in the church tells the story that God is light. A leaf, a flower, there is creative inspiration hidden everywhere. I really love this kind of infiltration of "eating, drinking and being beautiful together"!

Date with the sunrise

Two days before the start of the art camp, teacher Su Wen'an told me: "The sunrise is around 5:55 in the morning. It's so big, so red, and so dazzling!" After hearing this, I couldn't forget it, so I faced the city with insomnia. The long-lost sunrise. That early morning, I was in a clear morning mist, smelling the sweet scent of grass, and having a quiet date with the sunrise. Wow! Finally, I saw a stunning performance. On the wooden bench in front of the cornfield, I made a decision to share this "meeting with light" adventure.

"We will watch the sunrise at 5:30 tomorrow morning. It is compulsory for the art camp and optional for other classes." The announcement was issued. Unexpectedly, in the early morning of the next day, I heard rumbling thunder in bed, and the window was dark and raindrops fell. I thought, it’s over! The sunrise was ruined. I wanted to write a poster and stick it on the eucalyptus tree trunk: "Cancel if it rains, go back to sleep!" The watch showed that it was half past five, so I went out to take a look, and I saw several loyal viewers standing in the drizzle. Medium⋯⋯

"It's raining and I can't see the sunrise." I said in a disappointed tone.

"It doesn't matter, rainy days also have their beauty!" Jinka Chenbo said firmly.

It seems that this burst of rain should not be too fussy. I saw Wei Guo huddled in the collar of his jacket, Yun Jie shivering in a short-sleeved sportswear, and the "elective" brother Shi Liang and his wife came prepared with a big black umbrella. No one seemed to have the intention to disperse. At that moment, I couldn't help but feel guilty in my heart, "Yeah, how could you give up so easily?" Looking back, more people appeared in the gray... Then, the theme of the camp was revealed in the darkness: Light and eyes! Gradually, it's dawn! The levels of mountains, woods, and grasslands are becoming more and more abundant. Light and shadow continue their professional performance, and nature declares once again that dark clouds cover the sun, but it cannot deny the fact of sunrise.

▲Teacher Lan Hui (third from left) teaches people who get up early to watch the sunrise some tips.

Painter's Life Sketch 1: Turning around like a child

I like to paint with strong contrasting tones, but I don't like to use exaggerated expressions. I comforted Sister Xiuhua, who was nervous and had no experience in painting: "As long as you can eat with chopsticks, you can definitely paint with a brush." Sure enough, Sister Xiuhua's works are elegant and simple, with a hint of shyness and jargon. It has the flavor of maximalism, a kind of "warm limit". Just like her, not eye-catching but very intriguing.

In the same tune as Sister Xiuhua, Brother Jianqin also said that he had never touched a paintbrush. He once wanted to "play hooky". After plugging in the "power supply", his body seemed to be glued to the chair and he could draw five pieces in one breath. hours. Brother Jianqin's works are very direct and childish, with a strong personal touch. He is not afraid. Painting is like turning on a faucet, crackling and flowing freely. Looking at his full writing style, he asked:

"Have you really never painted before?"

"Um!"

"What a great painting!"

"Thank you!" His answer was also very extreme.

If a person does not return to the state of a child, it will be difficult for him to enter the kingdom of heaven. From Sister Xiuhua and Brother Jianqin, I see a kind of pure innocence, willing to be emptied and then filled up. This is the highest state of creation. Isn’t Picasso’s wish to paint like children? ?

▲The art camp students’ achievements were exhibited at the exhibition. Teachers and students from the advanced writing and editing class were invited to watch, and they were amazed and amazed.

Painter's life sketch 2: rigor and freedom

Meihui and Yunjie are both standard adult types, thoughtful and thoughtful. Meihui was worried that some "effects" would not be achieved, so I told her as someone who has experienced it, that skills are not important, the important thing is to be yourself. She tilted her head and measured under the tree for a long time, and finally said, "I painted the most proud picture of my life!" It was a watercolor landscape painting, and from another angle, it was also a self-portrait. Meihui told me that she came here for her daughter and wanted to introduce "beauty" to her daughter. She believed that her "belief" would definitely become her daughter's "belief".

Yunjie is the youngest and "most philosophical" among the team members. She asked me a lot of "big questions," and I always answered them intuitively. I recall that my instructor, Mr. John Walker, holding an unlit cigar in his mouth, said a comment that made everyone hold their breath: "For creation, sometimes rationalization is not needed." I agree very much, just like "Lover" "There is beauty in the eyes", just like it if you like it, there is no need to find reasons to support it. An outstanding design work, in addition to functionality, can also be both interesting and decorative. Be happy and accept that God is a humorous, interesting God who understands everything! Of course, I admire Yunjie's serious struggle. Being able to "be yourself" is a difficult choice in life, but I believe that God is happy for us to be ourselves and be the apple of His eyes.

▲The seven disciples prayed to the moon with their hearts, and the heroine in black was teacher Lan Hui.

Painter's Life Sketch Three: Looking for Personal Imagery

Ma Lin and Xian Dui are the only couple I know who still hold hands when they quarrel. Xian Dui said that Ma Lin did not approve of her painting in the future. "Why?" I asked. "It's too expensive!" After saying that, we both laughed together.

Ma Lin claimed to have no painting experience, but strangely enough, he picked up the pen with style. I really appreciate his confession when viewing art works: "Can this thing be considered art?" "That's right! You don't have to like it." Marin didn't understand. To be honest, sometimes I also I don’t understand (as far as postmodern art is concerned, sometimes it’s just to express a position and opinion, and it doesn’t necessarily have to do with beauty).

Marin drew a picture with three trees growing on the arc horizon. "Where are you drawing?" someone asked. "The scenery in my heart!" Marin replied. As expected, he has the posture of the top disciple (he is the tallest in the class). It seems that he has "achieved"! His other half is a fairy, petite in stature, but bold in style. She drew a mangrove tree that looked like a ball of fire (I'm sure you can't find where it grows), "I really saw it!" Xian Dui said seriously, it was another "Tao" "Master!" It’s beautiful to see the couple painting together inseparable!

Wei Guo is familiar with Beijing films, and he is unambiguous in painting. His lines are quite like those of Matisse, the master of beasts. "Really?" She was dubious. In the field of art, famous masters are recognized because their emotions touch people's hearts. Wei Guo had some background in sketching, and with the courage to inject his own emotions and observations, he was able to naturally find his "personal language".

In fact, everyone can become a master, it depends on how they accept and create new ideas. The most satisfying thing about this camp is that I was able to drive away my doubts and fears and turn them into an attitude of courage to try and willingness to write. There is a saying that "What you draw is what you see" (what you draw is what you see), being able to describe (record) what you observe and connect the pen with the heart is the real purpose of sketching.

Respond to God’s creative love with “beauty”

God's nature is creation. Biblical Psalm: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork..." The seasons change with different styles, and flowers, migratory birds, sunrises and sunsets visit on time. God generously provides fresh breath every second until we come face to face with Him, and after that face to face, everything will be beyond any imagination. Such a great and wonderful God is beside you and me, in you and me, in every moment we pass by. God expects and is pleased for us to feel and enjoy His "works" instead of letting busy and ignorant footsteps rush by, missing the beautiful scenery, becoming stingy and heartless.

This source of creating beauty makes everything full of surprises. It depends on whether you and I use our hearts to discover it! Love of beauty is God’s nature, or in other words, God is love and God is beauty. Otherwise, the sky will not be blue, the rainbow will not be colorful, the stars will not twinkle, and the new buds will not be bright green. We are beautiful in the eyes of God, so beautiful that God is willing to surround us with His whole self.

As created beings, we should use "beauty" to respond to the Lord who created the universe. Everyone is looking for the theme of life and telling their own life story. In the Old Testament era, priests were responsible for preaching God's words and mighty deeds. I hope you and I can also become a beautiful priest, so grateful that we have to draw and speak.