Carmela Dutra's Blog - Posts Tagged "art"
Why Write?
Why do you write? That is a good question, one that has been asked to many authors throughout their writing endeavors. Every author has a different reason for why they do what they do. Even if it is the same genre of literature the reasons are vastly different. I cannot speak for anyone else, nor would I want too, but I can tell you why I write…
If you were to ask me “Did you always grow up thinking one day you would be an author?” the answer would be no. I always wanted to do something that included Art, Art is a huge part of life; without it I feel there is a void. A void that can only be completely filled by an artistic action, that artistic spark has come in many different forms: Painting, sketching, charcoal, animation illustrations, photography the list can go on forever!
I wrote in school, took creative writing classes, and even wrote some poetry. I enjoyed it, but at that moment it was not my focus. I had a one tract mind of what type of artistic desires I wanted to nurture, writing was not one of them. I always loved reading, picking up a book and delving into a world where things seem to be woven together so effortlessly. I envied those writers; I wanted nothing more than to create like beauty like they did, but… I still had a one tract mind.
It wasn’t until five years ago that I fell back in love with writing, and learned to value it the same way as I do Art. My nephew asked me to write something for him that would be exciting and fun, whereas my niece asked me to draw her something. While I said yes to both request, I quickly gravitated towards the drawing aspect of this assignment. As I was doodling some images for Desi I kept thinking, ‘Is there any way I can complete both tasks at once?’ I couldn’t let go of the idea to combine both projects into one, I started having scenes play through my mind of characters, their names, their features ; and then I couldn’t stop I had to write!
I stayed up until midnight working on my first Lorenzo story; I had to get the words out of my head. I found myself excited, not just over the illustrations, but how the words would play into the illustrations. Seeing how each aspect was needed to complete the other, enhancing each other. That is when I realized I can, and do love writing as much as I do Art. Writing is an Art form, a beautiful one, that when accompanied with illustrations to match can create an even more enduring tale.
Art is, and always will be my first love. I surrender myself to it, but In order for my artistic void to be filled, it MUST include writing. Without it, I feel a sense of emptiness that cannot be explained. I have come to love and appreciate writing for much more than just words on paper. Those words have meaning; they are dripping with my soul! They are filled with love and passion for something that can never be exhausted! My name is Carmela Dutra, and this is why I write.
Wishing a little artistic creation to you all!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear
@lorenzothebear
If you were to ask me “Did you always grow up thinking one day you would be an author?” the answer would be no. I always wanted to do something that included Art, Art is a huge part of life; without it I feel there is a void. A void that can only be completely filled by an artistic action, that artistic spark has come in many different forms: Painting, sketching, charcoal, animation illustrations, photography the list can go on forever!
I wrote in school, took creative writing classes, and even wrote some poetry. I enjoyed it, but at that moment it was not my focus. I had a one tract mind of what type of artistic desires I wanted to nurture, writing was not one of them. I always loved reading, picking up a book and delving into a world where things seem to be woven together so effortlessly. I envied those writers; I wanted nothing more than to create like beauty like they did, but… I still had a one tract mind.
It wasn’t until five years ago that I fell back in love with writing, and learned to value it the same way as I do Art. My nephew asked me to write something for him that would be exciting and fun, whereas my niece asked me to draw her something. While I said yes to both request, I quickly gravitated towards the drawing aspect of this assignment. As I was doodling some images for Desi I kept thinking, ‘Is there any way I can complete both tasks at once?’ I couldn’t let go of the idea to combine both projects into one, I started having scenes play through my mind of characters, their names, their features ; and then I couldn’t stop I had to write!
I stayed up until midnight working on my first Lorenzo story; I had to get the words out of my head. I found myself excited, not just over the illustrations, but how the words would play into the illustrations. Seeing how each aspect was needed to complete the other, enhancing each other. That is when I realized I can, and do love writing as much as I do Art. Writing is an Art form, a beautiful one, that when accompanied with illustrations to match can create an even more enduring tale.
Art is, and always will be my first love. I surrender myself to it, but In order for my artistic void to be filled, it MUST include writing. Without it, I feel a sense of emptiness that cannot be explained. I have come to love and appreciate writing for much more than just words on paper. Those words have meaning; they are dripping with my soul! They are filled with love and passion for something that can never be exhausted! My name is Carmela Dutra, and this is why I write.
Wishing a little artistic creation to you all!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear
@lorenzothebear
Free coloring pages
Visit http://www.lorenzothebear.com/colorin... for free downloadable coloring pages for you kids to enjoy! You'll be Beary Gald you did!
Wishing you an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
Wishing you an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
Art touches all we Do
Before I was writing I was and will always be an artist. Everything about it, how you can take something and create wonderful works of your imagination. You can take your inner most feelings and let them out for all to see it through your eyes. The arts are an essential part of education, a vital aspect of learning that is sometimes overlooked.
Some may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up.
Motor Skills and Language Development are two areas that are greatly impacted by art. Many of the motions involved in making art, such as holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon, are essential to the growth of fine motor skills in young children. For very young children, making art or just talking about it provides opportunities to learn words for colors, shapes and actions.
What about Visual Learning? Drawing, sculpting with clay and threading beads on a string all develop visual-spatial skills, which are more important than ever. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it.
Inventiveness: Have you ever really noticed how excited they become when they can just jump right in with their hands and start creating something. It be nothing of much clarity, but it’s what they see, feel, and are expressing. When kids are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives. Learning not to be afraid, but to express themselves how ever best they can.
The human brain is wired in such a way that we can make sense of lines, colors and patterns on a flat canvas. Artists throughout human history have figured out ways to create illusions such as depth and brightness that aren't actually there but make works of art seem somehow more real.
Our biggest contributors to history are in fact artist. Can you imagine where we would be if we didn’t have ones like; Seurat, Rembrandt, Di Vinci the list goes on. Art is what molded and shaped them, shaped our world. We owe it to our children to encourage the Arts, just as much as we do reading.
We can even take the time to teach them about both. Introduce them to books on Art, about artists and their lives. Show them the things these individuals created, and help to spark their inner artist.
Wish you all a little art in your life.
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
www.blogforyourthoughts.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Why do you write?
“So you’re an author? That’s cool! So like why? Why do you write?” I was just asked this the other day. It’s a common enough question (and plenty of the pros have reasoned this with more eloquence than I could ever imagine), so one might think I’d have a better answer – but I don’t. 
Achieving fame, being awarded sparkling prizes or even just being recognized as a half decent author are not among the reasons. I write, because I write. Simple as that. There is a sense of joy and excitement in taking the bizarre, silly, cheerful and sometimes wretched thoughts from my mind and throwing them onto a canvas.
If someone actually likes what I create, that’s great! And if they don’t, well there are always other books to read. I know that what I produce is not everyone’s cup of tea, nor do I expect all to enjoy it. Now this is not to say that I’m not pleased when my books or eBooks sell, the contrary in fact, but it’s not the main objective when I write.
Much like with my art, when I don’t write something feels off. It’s like I have this lion roaring at me, telling me ‘I need to get out!’ It’s something that calls to me, almost mocking me in a sorts. The more I suppress it, the louder it gets.
Sometimes when I sit down, I don’t know what I am creating; but I know that I’m tired of being mocked. Once I succumb, and the words starting falling into place, I don’t usually want to stop. I get this drive to finish what I’ve started, becoming more excited the clearer the image becomes. And once I’m finished, that once roaring lion, is now a peaceful lamb.
There are a plethora of reasons why writers do what they do. Why they enjoy it, why they continue despite any agony it may bring. So many diverse reasons, and yet one commonality. We write, because we are writers!
So I guess the question I should be asking is to all of you…. why do you write?
Leave a comment below sharing with us why you write.
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
Achieving fame, being awarded sparkling prizes or even just being recognized as a half decent author are not among the reasons. I write, because I write. Simple as that. There is a sense of joy and excitement in taking the bizarre, silly, cheerful and sometimes wretched thoughts from my mind and throwing them onto a canvas.
If someone actually likes what I create, that’s great! And if they don’t, well there are always other books to read. I know that what I produce is not everyone’s cup of tea, nor do I expect all to enjoy it. Now this is not to say that I’m not pleased when my books or eBooks sell, the contrary in fact, but it’s not the main objective when I write.
Much like with my art, when I don’t write something feels off. It’s like I have this lion roaring at me, telling me ‘I need to get out!’ It’s something that calls to me, almost mocking me in a sorts. The more I suppress it, the louder it gets.
Sometimes when I sit down, I don’t know what I am creating; but I know that I’m tired of being mocked. Once I succumb, and the words starting falling into place, I don’t usually want to stop. I get this drive to finish what I’ve started, becoming more excited the clearer the image becomes. And once I’m finished, that once roaring lion, is now a peaceful lamb.
There are a plethora of reasons why writers do what they do. Why they enjoy it, why they continue despite any agony it may bring. So many diverse reasons, and yet one commonality. We write, because we are writers!
So I guess the question I should be asking is to all of you…. why do you write?
Leave a comment below sharing with us why you write.
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
Ready. Set. Read!
Most of my blogs tend to stick within the same subject brand: reading, writing, arts, how this affects us, why do we do it, the benefits, etc. Like most children’s authors I have covered the subject (almost beating into the ground) the importance of reading to our little ones. 
Listing reasons as to why we should do this #1: Exposure to Language #2: Closing the Word Gap (the list of reasons can go on forever!). Or discussing what makes a good reader? Then asking you as the reader to weigh in on this blog with your thoughts, or things that you appreciated doing, or wish you had done differently.
What is the point to this blog you ask? Well, not only will I be venturing into a new topic to blog about, but I will now also be able to weigh in with a different point of view; one as a parent. I always felt I had freedom of speech went it comes to things since I was helping raise my nephew during those crucial years. Well frankly, even if you don’t have children you can still offer practical wisdom and advice.
My role is now slightly reversed from that of an aunt, to that of an expectant mother. I still stand by everything I have ever said: The importance of reading to children from the very start, the impact music can have on their developing mind, and as an artist first and author second, the important role of art in their lives.
As I count down the days until I discover the gender of our little bowling ball (yes from me that is a term of endearment, besides I was called a baby moose by my mother LOL) I think about the things I want to inculcate into our little one, all of the things that are a must, and those that are not. As I read articles on giving your child a head start by reading them from infancy it takes on a deeper meaning.
I want our family’s biggest reader to also be the littlest reader. In fact, I won’t wait to start until the day we bring our bundle home, I’ll start from the womb on! Reading to your baby is critical to setting your child on the path to strong reading skills, a better vocabulary and success in school—and life. As like all of the parent’s before me, and those who will come after me, I want to give our child the best life we possibly can. A precious, satisfying life, one that is equal parts of love, spirituality, and skills that will help them to make the best use of their life.
So for me as mommy to be its simple: Ready. Set. Read!
Listing reasons as to why we should do this #1: Exposure to Language #2: Closing the Word Gap (the list of reasons can go on forever!). Or discussing what makes a good reader? Then asking you as the reader to weigh in on this blog with your thoughts, or things that you appreciated doing, or wish you had done differently.
What is the point to this blog you ask? Well, not only will I be venturing into a new topic to blog about, but I will now also be able to weigh in with a different point of view; one as a parent. I always felt I had freedom of speech went it comes to things since I was helping raise my nephew during those crucial years. Well frankly, even if you don’t have children you can still offer practical wisdom and advice.
My role is now slightly reversed from that of an aunt, to that of an expectant mother. I still stand by everything I have ever said: The importance of reading to children from the very start, the impact music can have on their developing mind, and as an artist first and author second, the important role of art in their lives.
As I count down the days until I discover the gender of our little bowling ball (yes from me that is a term of endearment, besides I was called a baby moose by my mother LOL) I think about the things I want to inculcate into our little one, all of the things that are a must, and those that are not. As I read articles on giving your child a head start by reading them from infancy it takes on a deeper meaning.
I want our family’s biggest reader to also be the littlest reader. In fact, I won’t wait to start until the day we bring our bundle home, I’ll start from the womb on! Reading to your baby is critical to setting your child on the path to strong reading skills, a better vocabulary and success in school—and life. As like all of the parent’s before me, and those who will come after me, I want to give our child the best life we possibly can. A precious, satisfying life, one that is equal parts of love, spirituality, and skills that will help them to make the best use of their life.
So for me as mommy to be its simple: Ready. Set. Read!
