A picture is worth a thousand words.
Luckily I have that many.
Expanding on my last column, I will continue to explore my ability to develop my artistic intelligence as described by Howard Gardner.
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory states that intelligences are not always present at first, and sometimes need to be developed. The artistic intelligence includes both visual and fine arts, but I am going to focus on the visual aspect. Howard Gardner describes this as “Spatial Intelligence.” These people will not only be artistic, but good at puzzles as well.
Ironically, this whole process has been a puzzle to me, as I have tried to figure out how to improve my artistic abilities. I am just trying to put the border together in this column, but that is no simple task. This is no simple puzzle.
This whole theory is nice and everything, but I still don’t feel as though I understand it. I need to understand it better to improve my artistic ability.
The spatial intelligence is being able to see things with the “mind’s eye,” one must be able to take a verbal concept, and put it on paper as a drawing or painting. Although this is hard to learn, it is certainly possible.
Now I look to improve upon my rudimentary art skills.
For my first step I visited Howtodraw.com. The tutorial helped me to draw a bird by starting with basic shapes, such as circles and lines. This helped break down the process and simplify it, helping me to see that art is multiple parts coming together.
Even though the bird itself is simple, it gave me a sense of accomplishment that I was able to begin making progress towards where I want my artistic abilities to be.
The new picture is a big improvement from previous attempts, which can be viewed here. Hopefully I can build on this and continue to improve. The drawing itself is rather crude, but the new one is recognizable as a bird.
I still don’t feel as though I am making the progress I want to make, so I went and talked to someone whose profession involves teaching people like me to draw.
Ms. Stevens, an art teacher at Leesville, said, “when learning to draw, like learning a sport, there are fundamentals that can be taught and skills that will advance with practice.” This metaphor really helped me because it put it in good terms that I could understand.
“I think it can absolutely be done; you just have to have an open mind,” said Stevens when asked if she thought one who isn’t necessarily artistic could learn to draw. She also mentioned that she had the opportunity to work with Howard Gardner, the developer of the Multiple Intelligences Theory, as a graduate student. She learned about the multiple intelligences theory and how it relates to art.
Stevens also believes that art is very important, saying “in the future, those who develop their artistic minds will change the world.” As someone who worked with Gardner, she would definitely know.
When it comes to art, I can only imagine.
As one person who would have benefited from this theory the most, it is fitting that Albert Einstein wraps it up.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
