OK, I admit it -- I am not an art guy.
In college, I took the required art class, which consisted of art history and application.
My 2-year-old daughter draws better than I do - and she doesn't have fine motor skills yet. So the drawing and painting part of the class was an exercise in making a mess and being laughed at.
The art history part of the class involved our very monotone professor turning off the lights and showing us slides twice a week. Needless to say, when you are up all night playing video games in the computer lab or hanging out until 4 a.m. writing that research paper that is due the next day, having a warm room, monotone professor and no lights is not the best learning environment.
I feel very proud of the 'C' I got out of that class. Yes, it brought my GPA down, but isn't college about the experience? My computer-science/math major wife graduated college with honors and what did that do for her?
Only made her earn about 250 times what I make as a free-lance writer and stay-at-home dad.
OK, bad example.
Anyway, when I got the assignment to write an article about the Portland Art Museum I was a little apprehensive. My apprehension turned to excitement when I got there and looked around. I spent an entire afternoon looking at the different styles and types of art they have. It was a wonderful afternoon.
Now, if you will excuse me, after seeing Elliot Erwitt's photos at the museum, I am researching more about his work. The Portland Art Museum made me wish I paid more attention in art class - and isn't that what a museum is supposed to do?
Pat
