You might think I’m a nerd after this email. Or maybe you already know that I am!
Last week, I read an article about recently discovered petroglyphs. More specifically, life-sized camels and other animals carved into sandstone in northern Saudi Arabia around 12,000 years ago. The discovery challenged previous notions about pre-Neolothic humans in the region.
What I found most fascinating was how sophisticated and realistic the carvings were. And the fact that all the camels look very similar. Almost as if someone were teaching students how to draw camels! After all, when I teach students to render things, I often demonstrate overlapping shapes in my sketchpad.
Monumental carvings, traced in green for easier viewing.
I wrote the author and director of the archaeological study, Dr. Maria Guagnin of Germany’s Planck Institute, to share my thoughts. And she wrote back! She kindly disproved my ideas about this being a camel-drawing academy, but she said I’d inspired her to carve one herself to see what it takes.
More animal carvings--note how realistic they are, compared to the human in yellow.
In this busy, noisy world of information, stimulation, messages and opinions zinging all around, I sent an email to a scientist in Germany and she wrote back to an artist in California. Just to share ideas.
I learned this is possible from former writing teacher, Adele Slaughter. She had us write letters to our favorite authors to thank them for their work. We were all surprised that when they responded. I received hand-written replies from Steven Pressfield, Ann Patchett, and the poet laureate Kay Ryan.
Why? Because people who write and create in solitude need to hear that their work has impacted someone.
I know that I love hearing from you! Knowing that I’ve touched someone with my creativity is why I do this.
I'm making slow but steady progress on the wine barrel art. Butterflies everywhere!
Just a reminder, I'm teaching an in-person class in Santa Rosa, four Thursdays from 10/23-11/13. And I'm giving an online workshop called "The Story of Light" on 11/11. More info on my new (and evolving) teaching site: www.parrcreate.com.
With Love and Light,
Maggie
PS Whenever you’re ready to start working with me, here are three ways:
2. Do you sense you have some creative masterpiece inside that’s dying to get out? Get access to the program that helps you develop and complete a brilliant series of work that you’re proud to display. Hit reply with the word "Series" and I'll send you more info.
3. Not sure where to begin? Feeling shy, insecure, doubting your path? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation and I’ll ask you the single most important question to help you become the artist you’ve always wanted to be.
