Harold and the Purple Crayon
Dec. 29th, 2010 08:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kestrell_Harold and the Purple Crayon_ by Crocket Johnson (1955, 1983) [Bookshare.org]
I've been trying to create a list of books about art, or books which inspire creativity,* and I realized recently that, for me, this book was one of my early inspirations.
Although there are now many books which attempt to inspire creativity or explain in great detail why someone wishes to create art none, in my mind, convey these ideas more succinctly or more cleverly than _Harold and the Purple Crayon_. _Harold and the Purple Crayon_ gets to the heart of what is so appealing about creating art by showing the reader how Harold uses drawing to literally give his ideas form.
While in the book Harold's drawings actually become real--his drawing of a moon becomes *the* moon, which then follows him around wherever he goes--and we understand, even as children, that this won't really happen, there is still a core of truth to this kind of magic, because when we create a piece of art we are indeed taking an idea and making it real. Additionally, the fact that Harold uses his drawings to alleviate his anxieties also underscores how art can be used to explore and express real fears and anxieties, and how that kind of catharsis can allow us to feel better.
Purple has always been one of my favorite colors (as a child, I wanted everything I wore or used to be purple), and LJ user Issendai has pointed out how, unlike in the mundane world, purple is overwhelmingly popular, because it seems to imply magic. I can't help but wonder if this is in part true because of how many children have read and loved this book.
* Feel free to leave recommendations for favorite art or creativity books.
I've been trying to create a list of books about art, or books which inspire creativity,* and I realized recently that, for me, this book was one of my early inspirations.
Although there are now many books which attempt to inspire creativity or explain in great detail why someone wishes to create art none, in my mind, convey these ideas more succinctly or more cleverly than _Harold and the Purple Crayon_. _Harold and the Purple Crayon_ gets to the heart of what is so appealing about creating art by showing the reader how Harold uses drawing to literally give his ideas form.
While in the book Harold's drawings actually become real--his drawing of a moon becomes *the* moon, which then follows him around wherever he goes--and we understand, even as children, that this won't really happen, there is still a core of truth to this kind of magic, because when we create a piece of art we are indeed taking an idea and making it real. Additionally, the fact that Harold uses his drawings to alleviate his anxieties also underscores how art can be used to explore and express real fears and anxieties, and how that kind of catharsis can allow us to feel better.
Purple has always been one of my favorite colors (as a child, I wanted everything I wore or used to be purple), and LJ user Issendai has pointed out how, unlike in the mundane world, purple is overwhelmingly popular, because it seems to imply magic. I can't help but wonder if this is in part true because of how many children have read and loved this book.
* Feel free to leave recommendations for favorite art or creativity books.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 03:03 am (UTC)I've always been fascinated by repeating patterns and symmetry across many axes. That's why I've always owned two copes of Celtic Art: the methods of construction lavishly illustrated with line drawings and photographs (by George Bain), one to use and another to loan to fellow converts. It's a fabulous resource for those interested in the intricate Irish knotwork (very similar patterns appear in Islamic and other cultures) found in the Book of Kells, on pottery, on gravestones, in church decorations and so on.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 05:40 pm (UTC)Thank you for the splendid paid Dreamwidth account--I can't wait to explore the new perks!
I have also noted your recommendation of the Celtic art book in my reading journal. I just ordered a couple of books on tactile art and neddlefelting,including a couple of kits for kids--there are heaps of these kits available through Amazon, and they seem a pretty inexpensive way to try out new crafts, plus they include very simple instructions, hurray!
How were your holidays? I went to our neighbors's annual party last night, but only lasted until 9 before getting incredibly tired and coming home. It is a gorgeous day here in Boston--warm, sunny, and basically springlike. It feels a bit miraculous.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 06:27 pm (UTC)That's a great idea to start with kid kits. Were you crafty when you were sighted, so you'll have a chance to relearn techniques with a diff part of your brain?
Except for TRON: Stunningly Sexist Racist Sequel, the holidays have been mostly stay-at-home. We did watch UP IN THE AIR on Netflix yesterday, and that's a damn nice movie. I think your weather today was here yesterday, when made it all the way to 50°. Right now it's 10° with a 30 mph breeze. In other words, Midwestern winter (batten your hatches)!
Trying to convince myself that scouring the skies clear is a good beginning for a new year!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 07:02 pm (UTC)I didn't really do a lot of crafts when I was sighted, since I focused on pencil drawings and watercolors. I'm hoping that I can use a lot of the same concepts and just learn to transfer them to tactile and 3D. I got a kids craft kit of pipe cleaners in various sizes, so I can play with contour lines and three dimensional figures. Amazon also sells 82" wide swaths of felt in all colors through fabric.com, so I may play with thatnext month, and maybe some beads. This month I am playing with lines.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-03 03:11 am (UTC)I'll be happy to gather up some shiny beads for you (I've hardly managed to make any jewelry this year. MyGuy reminds me "You're a bead collector who also makes jewelry, relax.")
I hope the external weather has finished changing and the internal weather is settling as well.
Speaking of wonderful textures. my local bead store sell lovely "sampler" cards for around $7. Each has five different cords of varying sizes, contents, and textures in coordinating colors. For example, there'll be a metallic mesh (actually polyester); slubby irregular silk; a dense, uniform dyed hemp; a velvet flat ribbon; and a braid composed of three shades of blue.
(And for that lagniappe: just in case you haven't seen it,
Light Gets In excoriates Sawyer's "Wake")