#artistic narratives

[delicatelysublimeforester]

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: Reflecting on the Past, Embracing the Future

[xtrablak674]

Story Is Not Done

[Photo by Brown Estate]

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Resurgence of Graphic Novels: A New Gateway to Understanding Literature Shaina Tranquilino November 6, 2023

In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable revival of graphic novels. Once considered niche entertainment for comic book enthusiasts, these visually captivating narratives have now gained widespread popularity among readers of all ages. In particular, the emergence of graphic novel adaptations has proven to be an invaluable tool in helping people, especially children, comprehend and appreciate traditional novels on a whole new level. Today, we explore how graphic novels are making literature more accessible and fostering a love for reading.

Visual Appeal and Engaging Storytelling: One of the key factors contributing to the resurgence of graphic novels is their visual appeal. Combining stunning illustrations with compelling storytelling techniques, these books effortlessly capture readers' attention from the very beginning. Unlike traditional novels that rely solely on text descriptions, graphic novels utilize both visuals and dialogue bubbles to create a multi-dimensional experience. This unique blend provides an immersive platform where readers can engage with characters and settings in a more tangible way.

Enhanced Comprehension for All Readers: Graphic novel adaptations bridge the gap between visual media and written literature, offering an alternative means of understanding complex narratives. By presenting stories through vibrant artwork alongside concise dialogue, they allow readers to comprehend intricate plots or abstract concepts more easily. This becomes particularly valuable when introducing young readers to classic works or challenging themes found in adult literature.

Accessibility for Reluctant Readers: For many children who struggle with reading or lack interest in it altogether, graphic novels provide an entry point into the world of literature. With their vivid illustrations and condensed text, these adaptations lower barriers to comprehension while still delivering rich literary content. Children who may initially find traditional prose daunting can gradually transition into reading full-length novels as they become familiar with storylines through graphic novel versions.

Fostering Imagination and Critical Thinking: Graphic novels encourage active engagement by requiring readers to interpret both visual cues and textual elements simultaneously. This form of visual literacy prompts readers, regardless of age or reading ability, to analyze, infer, and interpret the storylines. In doing so, graphic novels foster critical thinking skills as readers connect images with written words, enhancing comprehension and encouraging creative interpretation.

Broadening Literary Horizons: Graphic novel adaptations also play a crucial role in introducing readers to diverse genres and authors they might not otherwise encounter. By transforming well-known literary works into visually captivating stories, these adaptations pique curiosity and inspire readers to explore related literature further. The marriage of art and storytelling can open doors to previously unexplored realms of imagination for both children and adults.

The resurgence of graphic novels has breathed new life into the world of literature by making complex narratives more accessible and engaging for all readers. Through their unique blend of stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, graphic novel adaptations offer an invaluable gateway to understanding traditional novels better. Particularly for children who may struggle with reading or feel disconnected from literature altogether, these adaptations provide a stepping stone towards building a lifelong love for books. As we embrace this exciting resurgence, let us celebrate the power of visual storytelling in fostering literary appreciation throughout generations.

[inkskinned]

the thing about art is that it was always supposed to be about us, about the human-ness of us, the impossible and beautiful reality that we (for centuries) have stood still, transfixed by music. that we can close our eyes and cry about the same book passage; the events of which aren't real and never happened. theatre in shakespeare's time was as real as it is now; we all laugh at the same cue (pursued by bear), separated hundreds of years apart.

three years ago my housemates were jamming outdoors, just messing around with their instruments, mostly just making noise. our neighbors - shy, cautious, a little sheepish - sat down and started playing. i don't really know how it happened; i was somehow in charge of dancing, barefoot and laughing - but i looked up, and our yard was full of people. kids stacked on the shoulders of parents. old couples holding hands. someone had brought sidewalk chalk; our front walk became a riot of color. someone ran in with a flute and played the most astounding solo i've ever heard in my life, upright and wiggling, skipping as she did so. she only paused because the violin player was kicking his heels up and she was laughing too hard to continue.

two weeks ago my friend and i met in the basement of her apartment complex so she could work out a piece of choreography. we have a language barrier - i'm not as good at ASL as i'd like to be (i'm still learning!) so we communicate mostly through the notes app and this strange secret language of dancers - we have the same movement vocabulary. the two of us cracking jokes at each other, giggling. there were kids in the basement too, who had been playing soccer until we took up the far corner of the room. one by one they made their slow way over like feral cats - they laid down, belly-flat against the floor, just watching. my friend and i were not in tutus - we were in slouchy shirts and leggings and socks. nothing fancy. but when i asked the kids would you like to dance too? they were immediately on their feet and spinning. i love when people dance with abandon, the wild and leggy fervor of childhood. i think it is gorgeous.

their adults showed up eventually, and a few of them said hey, let's not bother the nice ladies. but they weren't bothering us, they were just having fun - so. a few of the adults started dancing awkwardly along, and then most of the adults. someone brought down a better sound system. someone opened a watermelon and started handing out slices. it was 8 PM on a tuesday and nothing about that day was particularly special; we might as well party.

one time i hosted a free "paint along party" and about 20 adults worked quietly while i taught them how to paint nessie. one time i taught community dance classes and so many people showed up we had to move the whole thing outside. we used chairs and coatracks to balance. one time i showed up to a random band playing in a random location, and the whole thing got packed so quickly we had to open every door and window in the place.

i don't think i can tell you how much people want to be making art and engaging with art. they want to, desperately. so many people would be stunning artists, but they are lied to and told from a very young age that art only matters if it is planned, purposeful, beautiful. that if you have an idea, you need to be able to express it perfectly. this is not true. you don't get only 1 chance to communicate. you can spend a lifetime trying to display exactly 1 thing you can never quite language. you can just express the "!!??!!!"-ing-ness of being alive; that is something none of us really have a full grasp on creating. and even when we can't make what we want - god, it feels fucking good to try. and even just enjoying other artists - art inherently rewards the act of participating.

i wasn't raised wealthy. whenever i make a post about art, someone inevitably says something along the lines of well some of us aren't that lucky. i am not lucky; i am dedicated. i have a chronic condition, my hands are constantly in pain. i am not neurotypical, nor was i raised safe. i worked 5-7 jobs while some of these memories happened. i chose art because it mattered to me more than anything on this fucking planet - i would work 80 hours a week just so i could afford to write in 3 of them.

and i am still telling you - if you are called to make art, you are called to the part of you that is human. you do not have to be good at it. you do not have to have enormous amounts of privilege. you can just... give yourself permission. you can just say i'm going to make something now and then - go out and make it. raquel it won't be good though that is okay, i don't make good things every time either. besides. who decides what good even is?

you weren't called to make something because you wanted it to be good, you were called to make something because it is a basic instinct. you were taught to judge its worth and over-value perfection. you are doing something impossible. a god's ability: from nothing springs creation.

a few months ago i found a piece of sidewalk chalk and started drawing. within an hour i had somehow collected a small classroom of young children. their adults often brought their own chalk. i looked up and about fifteen families had joined me from around the block. we drew scrangly unicorns and messed up flowers and one girl asked me to draw charizard. i am not good at drawing. i basically drew an orb with wings. you would have thought i drew her the mona lisa. she dragged her mother over and pointed and said look! look what she drew for me and, in the moment, i admit i flinched (sorry, i don't -). but the mother just grinned at me. he's beautiful. and then she sat down and started drawing.

someone took a picture of it. it was in the local newspaper. the summary underneath said joyful and spontaneous artwork from local artists springs up in public gallery. in the picture, a little girl covered in chalk dust has her head thrown back, delighted. laughing.

[pidgydraws]

💋 first aid 💋

[pigin-is-so-rad]

The Watchers’ Favourites

[sunlit-mess]

[ Main comic | Tag guide ] CATEGORY 2 of my AU ! ::)

[cr0ws-doodles]

“But in answer to your question, yes. I’m gonna bloody kill you.”

[johaverabies]

"If you were the last vampire on earth, it would be enough. YOU AND ME. ME AND YOU. YOU AND ME." 🖤

[murkbrew]

I’m not even a star.

page for @cassunzine

[tehcherrya]

Peregrin Took + A Man in Armor by Rembrandt

"We have no songs for great halls... and evil times."

This is part of a series of illustrations I've done which is reimagining old oil paintings ("renaissance paintings", though not all of them are from the time of the renaissance so I will use that term sparingly haha)

Rembrandt depicted the young man in the original painting as weighed down by his armor and weapons (as they do appear sightly too big for him)-- and yet having determined thoughts about the possible battle ahead. I thought this extra fitting to portray this as a hobbit, and since I already did one with Merry, I chose Pippin!

[milkbreadtoast]

idk how i want to draw him yet and not ready to make a srs attempt but here's a bad kdj phone doodle lol🚶🏻

[mourningsbane]

All these asks and nobody is gonna ask who Strawgoose is??? I like their design and name!

Woe, Strawgoose reference upon ye.

Strawgoose is the same age as Caterpillarpelt, and was mentored by Cougargleam! She is incredibly bubbly and optimistic and thinks that everything will work out in time. After all, nothing is final.

Regardless, she wishes that Caterpillarpelt wouldn't stress himself out so much! What's the problem with a few stray silver hairs?

[ominouspuff]

handsss

[maareyas]

Lone Voyager | [Speedpaint]

I had another Astronomy Moment™ and I wanted to draw Silver in a costume semi-inspired by the Voyager probes. This was also a sort-of study of the artist Rella's lighting!

Sketch of the costume and other thumbnails below the cut:

special thanks to google for having an actual 3d model of the Voyager probes that I used as reference lmao

[realrosielol]

This is what kickincorn looks like to me