At a faculty meeting on March 2, we had SES Learns. Teachers volunteered to run mini workshops. I ran a workshop on line drawing and the power of observation for writer. Peter came to my workshop. A small group of us sat together in my room where we had time to sketch and think. Time to let our eyes follow the lines of a pinecone, or a branch, or an acorn. Time to sketch, and find ideas, memories, poems.
After few minutes of sketching, we shared. Peter shared his sketch of a branch and I remember him saying, “I think I found an idea.” He went on to share that when he was sketching the branch he remembered a friend, colleague, mentor, Pat, teaching his him along with his fourth grade class, that if you cut a branch with buds, you can bring it in and watch it flower. (Peter’s post) I looked at him puzzled. “Really?” He asked, “Did you know that you can cut a branch and watch it bloom? Do you ever cut a branch and bring it inside and watch it bloom.” My answer was “No. But now I know. Can’t wait to do it! ”
Today, I cut little snippets of a forsythia bush, pulled out a just right vase and arranged my branches. I placed them on my table and began my own line drawing. I began to learn the beauty of a forsythia up close and personal.
A little sketching and a little conversation from a little workshop went a long way.
Up close with some forsythia. Bringing a little outside inside. Watching the buds in all their stages, from baby to bursting.
Who knew?! I talked to my year 3 class about sketching as a pathway to thinking, will have to revisit this with them. Great sketch, too.
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The imagine of a blooming branch seems just right for this morning. It’s so filled with hope and happiness!
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I lost my father last May. He was not particularly fond of nature or of plants and such, but he would always notice the early-spring blooming of forsythia and comment aloud. I felt he was with me last week when I noticed the blooms. Thanks for writing about this.
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This is great. I like the way we were all linked by that short workshop. Your basket. My sketch. Which led to my clippings and a post, your advice to Jess, her post and this post. Circle of life or circle of slice!
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You learn something new every day!
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I think I need to get back to sketching a bit and remember the benefits of where it takes your mind!
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I wondered if you even cut branches and brought them in. This was an energetic conversation. That was a happy afternoon. Thanks for making me remember.
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Also, I really love the shadows in your photo.
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