Drawing the impossible dream - taosnews

Tempo staff
tempo@taosnews.com

The ability to express one's ideas through drawing is the foundation of all great representational works of art, according to art teacher Michael Hensley.

"In the visual arts," he adds, "drawing is usually the first step in manifesting concepts, thoughts and inspirations. To successfully recreate on paper what one sees in one's imagination requires the highest degree of technical ability combined with great intellectual capacity. It is more than just a rote exercise. Bringing to life something no one has seen before is creation in its purest form."

Examples of works by his Taos Arts Club/Teen Art Studio students are featured in an exhibition with the theme "Don Quixote," on view now through May 5 at the Millicent Rogers Museum, 1504 Millicent Rogers Road in El Prado. The show opened with a reception Wednesday (April 10).

"This year's exhibition consists of a collection of drawings inspired by the most influential work of literature from the Spanish Golden Age," Hensley writes in a press release. " 'El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha,' most commonly known as 'Don Quixote,' was written by Miguel de Cervantes [1605-1615]. The story follows the adventures of a noble (hidalgo) named Alonso Quixano who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his sanity and decides to become a knight errant (caballero andante), reviving chivalry and serving his country, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. He recruits a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, as his squire, who often employs a unique, earthy wit in dealing with Don Quixote's rhetorical orations on antiquated knighthood."

Many renowned artists have been influenced by this masterpiece of the imagination, Hensley states. Honoré Daumier, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Gustave Doré are just a few of the greats.

"I hope you enjoy the stunningly beautiful and expressive drawings created by these highly talented teens as much as I do. 'True Art,' inspired by nature, should aspire to be timeless and universal," Hensley writes.

It is the mission of the Taos Arts Club/Teen Art Studio to use art as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of today's youth.

The Taos Arts Club/Teen Art Studio combines both art instruction and life skills education. Activities help the youth in the Taos community come into a greater awareness of their intellectual being through self-expression and creative reasoning. Youth are encouraged to make healthy life choices for their future while at the same time feeling a sense of community.