Inspirational Warm-Up Exercises
Remember Carving Your Initials in a Tree
I’ve always loved stumbling across initials carved into trees. It makes me wonder who actually carved them—which set of initials was the artist’s—and where are the heart-framed lovers now? I wonder if they broke up a week later or went on to marry and have three kids. In some ways it doesn’t matter because their initials remain in that tree and take on a new life of their own growing along with the tree, forever inscribed in time. And, in many ways, isn’t love forever etched in our hearts if it lasts an hour or a day? This project is a great opportunity to carve some initials without actually cutting into nature. This is a family tree, but all families are different. Some are the traditional nuclear family, some are single-parent families, and some are you and your pet. Any of these options and many more lend themselves to a beautiful love story. They also make wonderful gifts.
You can draw trees from life, photos or your imagination to prepare for this painting. Adding textural bark to your tree really brings it to life. If you’ve never drawn bark before, practice on a piece of kraft paper with a black marker until your hand feels steady enough to try it with paint.
Reference: Gather Old Letters, Drawings and Collage Materials
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with those three boxes of mementos in the garage, this is the project for you. If you’re like me, you’ll need to steel yourself against spending hours if not days pouring over this bounty once you unearth it, so be careful. And don’t go in there with a bottle of wine or you may never get out. Just keep in mind whose initials you’ll be putting in the tree and let this guide your selections.
SPACE MAN
Nicolas Rivot
Wax crayon on paper
Children’s drawings and old love letters make perfect leaves for this family tree project. You can always photocopy them, too, if you want to save the originals.