Sunday, July 19, 2009

Me and The Arts

I tried to take advantage of the cultural opportunities that college gave me -- never mind the uncultural opportunities -- with disappointing results.

Piano 101 wasn't so bad, but I think I needed to study an instrument while I was young, and by "young" I mean 6, not 22. My brain had a lot of trouble with the digital dexterity needed, but I was glad I gave it a try. Embarrassing though it was to plink "Thoughts at Twilight" for a faculty jury, since that was the standard final exam for music classes, I got through it, curtsied as required, and got an A for effort.

Art 101 was another matter. The biggest disaster of my college career. I don't think right for drawing. My brain rejects attempts to translate the 3-D real world into 2 dimensions. I struggled through the class and gave an immense sigh of relief when it ended.

It's kind of miserable to be able to form pictures in one's head and just not be able to realize them on paper (or canvas). But I lucked into living in the digital age, so I have access to Art For The Rest Of Us, i. e., manipulating clip art :





...with a photo program.

And if I were a real artist, I could probably do a better job of even that, since the final product can defy physical reality without my even perceiving it.
My calling this picture "final product" is probably inaccurate, since I'm sure I'll tweak it a lot more before I'm done!

4 comments:

Sherwood Harrington said...

This is wonderful, Ruth. More, please.

ronnie said...

Wow, this is beautiful! I'm really impressed - I've dabbled with digital photo manipulation and I know it's hard. Takes lots of concentration and time.

Please keep posting your work!

Nostalgic for the Pleistocene said...

O my! Thank you both!

I've only done one other, for the cover of Larry's 1st lulu.com book - which should show up
here. I'll certainly post more if i have any!

Christy Duffy said...

I totally understand about being able to see something in your head but not being able to get it out! That's my lot in life with singing. I hear it perfectly in between my ears but once I open my mouth the masterpiece is completely gone!

Love your pictures and am very impressed. Keep posting!