But.. I have actually really enjoyed writing weekly art research paragraphs on the different artists that I have read about in my class. My professor gives me a list of about 10-15 different artists and I get to pick which piece of artwork to write about. I try to pick something that I enjoy looking at, makes me think, or transports me to a memory or life experience. Although this is probably not the easiest way to get an A, it is what makes me feel good about what I am writing. I am happy with the papers that I have written (even when I didn't get an A). I wanted to share with you the most recent paragraphs, I rather enjoyed my professors comment... "Kaloni, I will give you a 10++++, just for the title of your article and your opinion paragraph." Not gonna lie, it made me giggle.
Here Kitty Kitty Kitty
Peter Paul Rubens painted with oil on canvas Daniel in the Lion’s Den. The canvas is 88 ¼ x 130 1/8 inches. He painted this work in 1615 during the Baroque period in Flanders, present day Belgium. Rubens used tenebrism to highlight Daniel praying, and the lions are darker but no less dramatic. The light in the painting might come from the above where there is an opening in the cave where Daniel was placed in the lion’s den, but it looks as if the light is actually coming from the lower left corner. Behind Daniel a lion’s teeth and maw are being highlighted against the dark cave background. A few of the lions seem to be restfully sleeping while others are prowling. There are clean human bones lying on the ground. The look on Daniel’s face is desperate and maybe even fearful; the posture he is posed in seems to be one of cowering. He looks up to the hole in the den as if someone is staring at him and pleas for them to pull him out.
I like the comical drama of this painting. It is not at all the way that I have imagined this bible story when I have read it. In my imagination, Daniel is a hero. He is calm, faithful, and confident that God will save him. The Daniel Rubens painted reminds me of a little girl, with legs crossed as if afraid to touch the floor because it is dirty and full of bugs. His arms are folded together to one side clutching hands in prayer and pleading. The look on his face looks comical to me, Daniel looks like he is a really bad actor in a B rated film. For me, the lions are the best part of this painting. I love the realistic detail of the lion’s expressions, especially the two lions in the foreground on the right side. They look like they are fighting. Was the lioness about to attack Daniel and the male lion is actually protecting him? In the story of Daniel, an angel comes to his rescue to shut the mouths of the lions. Maybe the light from the lower left corner is emanating from an angel just off the canvas? As I compare my imagination of this bible story with the picture I see, I can’t help but put myself in this situation and ask what I would do. I would like to think that I would be like the Daniel in my imagination, confident and brave. In reality, I would completely break down into tears and probably be eaten.
There are only a few more weeks of class left!! Dec 8th starts final exam week. Maybe I will find some time over break to write, until then these papers will have to do.
You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut
-Dr. Seuss