This week I taught art for my son’s class, and chose a project about illuminated manuscripts. I showed the class images of letters and pages from illuminated ‘scripts, in particular from the Book of Kells. I talked about how, before the printing press was invented, people had to write books <i>by hand</i>, and because it takes so long (some of the kids guessed a month or two) they only made books that they felt were <i>very important</i> — important enough to decorate beautifully like this.

I zoomed into the pictures to show them the complex knots and intricate details, the animals hidden here and there. I pointed out the gold leaf and the many different ways the letters were decorated.

The kids were very quiet and attentive the whole time. When I started them on their project (Pick your favorite number or letter, draw it full size on your paper, and decorate it to make your own “illuminated” letter) they set to, and worked (mostly) quietly for a full hour. I counted it successful.

When my son came home that day, I showed him <i>The Secret of Kells</i>. He was <i>riveted.</i> This time, he knew what the Book of Kells <i>was</i> — at least a little.

It reinforced to me how important knowledge is to understanding.

—

* Probably a year ago.

** Hence his reaction to a LOT of cartoons kids normally enjoy, like Spongebob. Though his love of Phineas and Ferb seems to go completely against this rule…

Green Dragon; digital painting in a woodcut style, using Photoshop 7, by Jennifer Broschinsky

Pern Dragons; Photoshop vector graphics by Jennifer Broschinsky

A set of graphics that I made for a Pern fan website. Vector graphics created in Photoshop.

Libera Me (2007); black and red ink on illustration board; by Jennifer Broschinsky

A piece in ink on illustration board, inspired by Verdi’s Requiem — I worked on this piece while listening to the Utah Symphony Chorus practice for their concert way back.

Sunset. 8x10 inches. Oil pastel on canvas board, by Jennifer Broschinsky.

A concept piece. I made this one on spec for a client who then decided to turn it down. Heavily influenced by the paintings of Joseph Mallory William Turner — and I do mean heavily. The commissioner really liked that look. Sold in 2005.

Sentinel. Pen and ink on paper. 2005, by Jennifer Broschinsky.

This showed at CONduit in 2005.

Unicorn. 7.5" x 5.5" pen and ink by Jennifer Broschinsky.

This piece was shown at CONduit in 2005.

Relaxed. Pen and Ink. 7.5" x 5.5" by Jennifer Broschinsky.

Showed at CONduit in 2005.

Hunter at Ready. Micron pen, by Jennifer Broschinsky.

A pen-and-ink experiment. This one sold at CONduit in 2005.

Dragon sketch in pencil by Jennifer Broschinsky.

A sketch in pencil.