The Wisdom of the Universe
Let’s get inspired by Christi Belcourt’s stunning painting The Wisdom of the Universe. Belcourt uses a technique where she paints very small dots to depict images of birds and flowers which come together to make a larger, connected universe of living things.
“All species, the lands, the waters are one beating organism that pulses like a heart. We are all a part of a whole. The animals and plants, lands and waters, are our relatives each with as much right to exist as we have.” - Christi Belcourt
Activity
Step 1. What other small things make up a bigger thing?
When houses and apartments are grouped together they become a neighbourhood. When a bunch of trees grow up together they become a forest. Look at the land around you and think about what smaller things, when put together, make up a bigger thing? Get inspired and choose an idea to create yourself.
Step 2. Play and practice mark making
Christi Belcourt uses painted dots in her artwork, but what kind of mark making will you use to create yours? Experiment with a few different tools to test out your unique marks. Use a pencil, pen, marker, or try using a brush to make stars, lines, squares, squiggles….use some scrap paper to practice and have fun!
Step 3. Outline your big idea
Draw a simple outline of your idea before you start to help keep you on track!
Step 4. Enjoy the process
Start filling in your outline shape using your own unique marks with the materials of your choice. Enjoy the repetitive action of making the little marks and watching them become part of the big picture. Slowly but surely!
Step 5. Share your creation!
Title your artwork and share with us by tagging #AGOmakes.
You can also read more about Christi Belcourt’s The Wisdom of the Universe and watch her creating the painting here.
