What has art got to do with
Speech craft and toastmasters training? You may well ask.
Apart from providing fodder for
a speech, it can also help with the creation of the speech itself.
‘A picture paints a thousand words’ or so the saying goes.
As toastmasters, and speech
writers, we have to learn to use vivid word pictures to describe characters,
events and to capture scenes, which help bring our stories and speeches to
life.
Anything which helps to
increase your observation and perception skills, with greater attention to detail will enhance
your descriptive skills and thus your creative writing and speech craft.
What better way to do this
than with an art class!
On Saturday, 17th June 2017, Experienced toastmaster and Artist, Rivella Lewis
gave an art class for our club members and friends.
Hosted by Christine Lennon,
at her home in the Nerang Hinterland, we sat around the dining table with our canvas and selection of brushes and Acrylic paints ready,
as we followed Rivella’s expert tuition.
First, some background on our teacher: Rivella.
“I am 76 and have been
painting all my life. I am mainly self- taught, but did have lessons in Chinese
Brush Painting in Penang, Malaysia. Also, lessons in Portrait Painting, Watercolours
and Life sketching in Florence, Italy.
I have been teaching
for the last 40 or so years and many of my students (both adults and children) have
become artists in their own right; many going on to win awards for their art.
I paint several
different styles myself using mixed media and I teach technique, how to use
brushes, how to do strokes and how to apply the paint, whether it be
watercolour, acrylic or oil. I also teach pencil sketching.”
Today’s workshop was on ‘Traditional landscape in
Acrylic’,
with a focus on sea scapes.
We
learned how to prepare the paints and how to apply it using round and flat
brushes of various sizes to create the desired effect. It was all free hand– no
drawing or practicing the scene with pencil to get all the detail correct,
before applying the paint! If you made a mistake, Rivella showed us some of her
‘miracle’ correction techniques.
I
liked it, even though I know I won’t be a Rembrandt anytime soon! I liked Rivella’s
teaching methods and how she brought our attention to the detail of the
painting and what to look for when painting a landscape or any other details in it.
The
final result of the participants art work was pretty good for a 1st
effort. We all enjoyed it and felt the workshop was worthwhile.
“Thanks for yesterday. it was a great morning. Murray was
so impressed with our paintings that he wants to be a part of the next
one! So there you go Rivella. All credit
to you as a Teacher. We will have to make a firm date for the next one.” Christine
Then later Christine added:
“Murray keeps
on picking up my painting and saying I can't believe it is so good. I would be
really proud of that. I expected you all to just have blobs of paint and
everyone's paintings were great. He really was inspired and genuinely wants to
be part of the next workshop! Personally,
I didn't think my painting was that great!!” Christine (The self
confessed perfectionist)
Rivella and budding artist, Christine
Julie Anne and Rebecca.
The proud students and the finished artwork!
Rivella and her finished masterpiece.
So, it seems this art morning
was a great success. Thank you Rivella for your time and your teaching and to
all the 'students' who participated in the class, as well as the observers. Thanks to
Christine and Murray for being great hosts and to everyone who contributed to the delectable morning
tea. (Vegan chocolate caramel slice, Cheese scones, banana and blueberry Cake, Fruit etc.)
If anyone is interested in
art classes with Rivella, she can be contacted directly (google Rivella Lewis.)
Our Club will also be
holding a follow up class soon.
Would you like to give your inner
artist a good workout? And at the same
time, enhance your observation skills which will ultimately help to 'paint' vivid word pictures in your writing and speech craft.
If so, let us know and, please
feel free to leave your comments below.