mishou
04-23-2006, 08:23 AM
The first thing I ever tried to alter was a book. I had a bunch of Asian-inspired papers and ephemera on hand so I had chosen ‘Chinese Proverbs’ as a theme for my project and spent a lot of time researching and collecting them. Due to my lack of paper crafting skills the book never got finished. But, since going digital, my interest in illustrating these wonderful bits of wisdom has been rekindled and I thought it would make a great idea for a WorkOut!
By definition, a proverb is a “a brief, pithy, popular saying or epigram embodying some familiar truth, practical interpretation of experience, or useful thought.” You can find proverbs in almost every language and culture, and of course there is the Book of Proverbs in the Christian Bible as well.
I find proverbs great to use in art because they are often quite short (so they don’t have to take up much room on a canvas) and yet the meaningful messages they convey can be the perfect touch for an ATC, art journal entry or MAD layout or whatever your heart can imagine!
Below I’ve listed a few of my favourite Chinese proverbs for you to use but don’t feel restricted to this list! If you go do a search on any quotations website you will see there are TONS of proverbs to work with!
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.
A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Each generation will reap what the former generation has sown.
The palest ink is better than the best memory
Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.
The years do not wait for us.
Words are the keys to the heart.
A suspicious mind creates its own specters.
Those who do workouts of the words shall reap great rewards.
I think that last one is my favourite . . . so deep and powerful . . . ;)
Have fun with these! I hope you find one that inspires you to create something and if you do don’t forget to come back here and let us know!
By definition, a proverb is a “a brief, pithy, popular saying or epigram embodying some familiar truth, practical interpretation of experience, or useful thought.” You can find proverbs in almost every language and culture, and of course there is the Book of Proverbs in the Christian Bible as well.
I find proverbs great to use in art because they are often quite short (so they don’t have to take up much room on a canvas) and yet the meaningful messages they convey can be the perfect touch for an ATC, art journal entry or MAD layout or whatever your heart can imagine!
Below I’ve listed a few of my favourite Chinese proverbs for you to use but don’t feel restricted to this list! If you go do a search on any quotations website you will see there are TONS of proverbs to work with!
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.
A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Each generation will reap what the former generation has sown.
The palest ink is better than the best memory
Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.
The years do not wait for us.
Words are the keys to the heart.
A suspicious mind creates its own specters.
Those who do workouts of the words shall reap great rewards.
I think that last one is my favourite . . . so deep and powerful . . . ;)
Have fun with these! I hope you find one that inspires you to create something and if you do don’t forget to come back here and let us know!