A Basis For Thoughtful Critique

Last week, in an attempt to teach my students the importance of thoughtful critique I asked them by what criteria, or by what basis do they critically evaluate a work of art.  My earliest memories are of a small mountain in East Tennessee, Big Rock, and hiking it as a 5-year-old with my parents.  Nothing has captivated me aesthetically like that initial experience and from which I have endeavored to live a life of hiking, camping and exploring and guiding my family into this life much like my parents did me.  No greater criteria is foundational to my thoughts when I look at art or student work.  The perfection of the elements and principles of art working harmoniously together are manifested in the created world and no greater template can be found for effective, critical evaluation.  

Close The Heart Then Close The Window

My wife and I flew from DFW to Portland OR Wednesday.  We had the two inside seats on a three-seat row.  A young man, maybe 30, came on the plane and claimed his widow seat next to us.  As soon as he sat down he closed his window shade and plugged up his iPad.  For the next four hours he played video games or slept while flying over some of the most beautiful country in the world, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainer, Mt. Saint Helens come to mind.  I have never flown this route but I knew what I was missing.  I wonder how long ago this young man’s heart was closed before he closed his window to the world yesterday?

Our view of Mt. Hood from the ground.

How Light Got Into Enlightenment

A sincere love of God and a deeply lived life of gratitude for Him paired with a well-prepared heart, an inquisitive mind, and tremendous courage is the most fertile soils of humanity by which greatness, including great art, is born.  The combined wisdom of all humanity in all of time cannot begin to uncover the riches gleaned on any of the elements and principles of art that will eventually be revealed to those that place God as the foundation for learning and the singular summit for which to stay the course.  That is not anti-intellectualism but The Source by which the intellect is actually called forth from the grave of reason to the life of enlightenment. To enlighten anything, including our own mind, we might want to start with The One who not only conceived of light but was brilliant enough to create it and kind enough to share—and Who, Biblically speaking, is the only way even the word

“en Light enmet” can exist—“I am the light of the world.”  

Not A Wonderful Day In The Neighborhood

I’ve watched a little of the Supreme Court confirmation with even less interest (I did pray a lot about it).  I think we can all agree it was certainly not our best hour.  How did such hysteria and unkindness become the normal way in which we behave publically, which makes you wonder how bad the actions were privately.  I am surrounded by all kinds of neighbors, old and young, democrats and republicans, minorities and majorities and rich and poor and they all choose to be kind to me.  They wave, speak as they walk by with their dogs, they call and visit, and allow us to borrow a cup of sugar or an egg or two when we need it.  The reason? They always think of us first and only as their neighbor.   I don’t think I would want to live in the political or media neighborhood or watch their neighborhood on TV. 

A Good Guide and Guide Book Are Needed

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and one of the most frightening is to sit alone with your heart and mind and think and feel about what comes up?  Trust me; you will need a guide!  For solo hiking into the realm of your heart and mind, a Trail Guide and Guide Book are critical.  Choose Them and It wisely. 

Happy trails!!!