Art Lovers discussion

I found this awesome article that I would have never thought about. Have you?

Why comics belong in schools…and more ideas from graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang by Chelsea Catlett

"Gene Luen Yang taught high school science for 17 years while moonlighting as a graphic novelist. Today, both art and education get celebrated in his work.

Some of the questions he addressed include:

What advice do you have for teachers who want to use graphic novels in a classroom?
"There are lots of different ways that comic books and graphic novels can be incorporated into a classroom. The easiest way is to use them with reluctant readers. Comic books and graphic novels are really a gateway into just the habit of reading, and I know a lot of teachers have had success using comics with reluctant readers — just getting them into the habit of reading. I do think comics are worthy of study in and of themselves, though, as well...Comics are also a great way of getting kids to think critically about the visual media that surrounds them. "

Let’s talk about the future of education and storytelling. What do you think we can expect from the future, as you see it?
"First, I think that diversity — in every sense of the word — is going to be a big thing, and different people of different identities and different cultural backgrounds are going to get more and more of a voice — not just on the American stage, but on the global stage. Second, stories are also getting more diverse. I think what’s happening in comics, with the genre diversity within comics, is happening within storytelling in general. "

What advice would you give to students, especially those looking for creative ways to turn their life experiences into artistic mediums, as you have done with your graphic novels?
..."when you’re just starting off, it’s really important to get in the habit of creation. The habit is almost more important than the work itself. I tell students who are interested in making anything creative to set up a time regularly to work on their creative work, and to make sure — to think of that time as sacred, to keep it sacred. And then I will say, just never to let perfection get in the way. If you are too obsessed with making things perfect, you’ll never finish — and the feeling of finishing something is so important to have, it has to feel very familiar — finishing a project, seeing a project all the way through. Finishing is more important than perfection."

More... http://blog.ed.ted.com/2016/07/21/why...

Definitely art! Literature....mmm..not so much.
I haven't read many of the books that he recommends apart from Smile, which I thought was excellent. I definitely view it as an art form. It does tell a story and can convey important messages about life or factual disciplines if done correctly. However, I also feel as if it dumbs things down. It is often simplistic with accompanying language that is mostly in the realm of conversation. It think the graphics novel do a disservice to literature. At the same time they deserve their own niche. If a person simply consumes graphics novels as their main diet I suspect that things will go awry.

To go back to Smile. It was a great growing up story conveying messages of family, friends, hardships and fitting in. She did a fine job. I need to expose myself to more of this genre.

Thank you, Haaze! I haven't heard of any of the books he's written but by your brief review I'm interested in checking it out!

Heather wrote: "Thank you, Haaze! I haven't heard of any of the books he's written but by your brief review I'm interested in checking it out!"

It is for the teenage crowd, but Telgemeier did a fine job in building the story. I was quite impressed with both the topic and how she brought forward some major teenage issues. She also created Sisters, but it was not as good (it was ok).

Haaze wrote: "It is for the teenage crowd, but Telgemeier did a fine job in building the story. I was quite impressed with both the topic and how she brought forward some major teenage issues."

Regarding Smile
So Haaze, I don't really read fiction, and I don't have any teenagers myself, but would you recommend that book for the ages 12-16 for my nephews since you said it addresses some major teenage issues? Or even their parents (my brother and Sis-in law)?

Definitely. It is low key from the art perspective. The story is about a girl that has an accident and damages her front teeth, the trauma in terms of treatment and then fitting in with her peers. Family banter, friendships, school etc. It is based on a real life story, which became obvious since it felt genuine and honest throughout. It is very focused on teeth! lol
Here is an art sample:

Just a question:

Would you consider comic art a collectible?

Any ideas and opinions are welcome and encouraged! I'm curious as to your thoughts.