Most people who know me know that I am well-acquainted with daytime TV, from the morning news, right on through the afternoon talk shows. They yammer away in the background as I go about my business of blogging, editing my book, researching my book, or practicing my daily pencil drawing exercises. Today I was irritated by the endless parade of artists promoting their films, books, and music – it just seemed excessive for some reason today, more than most. Then, ping, an email dropped into my phone alerting me to a post by a fellow blogger whose writing, wit, and wisdom I love. I stopped what I was doing and read her post. She wrote about the impact a favorite movie character had on motivating her to forge out and take a risk. (I will let her tell her own story – the link to her blog appears below.)
After reading her post I was somewhat saddened about the current state of the arts in our schools. The school I taught at in New York State is in severe financial trouble, as are most in our country today. They are threatened with laying off 32 teachers and cutting all music, art, and technology programs. My friend was sincerely impacted by the work of an artist in film. Who is going influence our children if the arts are cut from our schools? They will receive their influence from tv and Internet, but how are they going to achieve their dreams and realize their potential if they can't touch that saxophone in third grade? What if they never get to staple together that book they wrote in kindergarten, or do that amazing charcoal mural in high school?
Artists truly impact our lives. We want to be them. We want to be the characters they invent and portray. They in turn, sooth and heal us with their stories and music. They show us heroes in movies do exist in our worlds if we just stop and look around. They write books about the real and human condition, assuring us we are not alone. They motivate us to be more than we ever thought we could be. In short, all those involved in books, movies, and music play a huge part in helping us find our way in our worlds.
Pause with me and think about how a current movie, book, or song is currently influencing you. Today I'm reading The Children's Picture Book by Ellen Roberts. The children's books she sites are all books I've used for years in my kindergarten classroom by authors and illustrators I admire. I remember how I used their stories and pictures to teach children important concepts and life lessons. They have inspired me to want to talk to children through the printed word. I want to write a book that teachers can use to speak to the hearts of children.
How were you influenced by an artist's work today? Is there anything you can do to help keep the arts in your local schools? I thank my friend for bringing up an important point for me to ponder as the Ellen show winds down.
And so, as another day goes by, I apologize to Jennifer Aniston for being annoyed by her getting her Hollywood star, as I do appreciate her work on the big screen, and …I have written.
~ Link to my friend's blog…enjoy!
http://www.freesialane.com/2012/02/23/silence-of-the-lambs-and-me/
Leave a Reply