Reflections on White Oleander:
Understanding Adolescent Artistic Development
Although I had seen the film, White Oleander, several times during my early adolescence, it took on a completely new meaning since beginning the study of Lifespan Development. I went into the film with the understanding that it depicted the life of a teenager, Astrid Magnussen, after admittance into foster care due to the incarceration of her mother.
While bouncing from one foster situation to another, Astrid utilizes the art making process in order to cope with and understand the issues that arise during her stay in each foster care setting. During her stay with Star Thomas, Astrid completed a pencil drawing of Star’s daughter, Carol Anne, and Star’s boyfriend, …show more content…
At this time, Astrid’s mother remarks that Paul’s work is good, but it is not real art, just cartoons. Astrid seemed frustrated over this remark because it made her question her sense of what characteristics made a piece of artwork good or bad. Later, I asked myself a similar question, why do I consider certain types of art work good as opposed to bad? Also, how do you know that a person will eventually become a good artist?
As Garner addresses artistic development in his writings, he mentions that Picasso had developed artistic skills of expression before he could even verbally communicate with others. In regards to Picasso’s predisposition towards the art making process, however, Garner states that “genetic endowment are, at most, one contributing factor to the eventual level of artistic accomplishment” (Gardner, 1994). I agree with the idea that artistic development is multi-faceted and I feel that Astrid’s artistic development supports this …show more content…
Art making skills need to be developed and refined over time. This can only be accomplished with practice and I feel that this a defining factor when I state that Astrid is an accomplished artist. Not matter how difficult her living situation was at the time, Astrid was dedicated to practicing her craft. For example, while her foster sisters were drinking and partying, Astrid locked herself in her room and practiced portraiture by drawing from her mirror
Understanding Adolescent Artistic Development
Although I had seen the film, White Oleander, several times during my early adolescence, it took on a completely new meaning since beginning the study of Lifespan Development. I went into the film with the understanding that it depicted the life of a teenager, Astrid Magnussen, after admittance into foster care due to the incarceration of her mother.
While bouncing from one foster situation to another, Astrid utilizes the art making process in order to cope with and understand the issues that arise during her stay in each foster care setting. During her stay with Star Thomas, Astrid completed a pencil drawing of Star’s daughter, Carol Anne, and Star’s boyfriend, …show more content…
At this time, Astrid’s mother remarks that Paul’s work is good, but it is not real art, just cartoons. Astrid seemed frustrated over this remark because it made her question her sense of what characteristics made a piece of artwork good or bad. Later, I asked myself a similar question, why do I consider certain types of art work good as opposed to bad? Also, how do you know that a person will eventually become a good artist?
As Garner addresses artistic development in his writings, he mentions that Picasso had developed artistic skills of expression before he could even verbally communicate with others. In regards to Picasso’s predisposition towards the art making process, however, Garner states that “genetic endowment are, at most, one contributing factor to the eventual level of artistic accomplishment” (Gardner, 1994). I agree with the idea that artistic development is multi-faceted and I feel that Astrid’s artistic development supports this …show more content…
Art making skills need to be developed and refined over time. This can only be accomplished with practice and I feel that this a defining factor when I state that Astrid is an accomplished artist. Not matter how difficult her living situation was at the time, Astrid was dedicated to practicing her craft. For example, while her foster sisters were drinking and partying, Astrid locked herself in her room and practiced portraiture by drawing from her mirror