The freer the soul, the more abstract the painting becomes. These words are of Marc Chagall. Yes, what beautiful words. I had the honor of teaching a 4th-grade class about Marc Chagall. The presentation slides were colorful paintings filled with shapes and interesting texture lines. We came across a slide of the Eiffel Tower on the left and Chagall’s Paris Through the Window on the right.

At that moment I felt the need to say that we stop ourselves from making art before we begin. If we are going to paint the Eiffel Tower, we believe it has to look like the Eiffel Tower. When our Effiel Tower doesn’t look like the original, we think our version of the painting is wrong. We never want to paint again. I gave my students these words but I need these words too. I felt these words probably more than my students did.

Shagall’s words about color lit me up.

I don’t know if color chose me or I chose color, but since childhood I have been married to color in its pure state.

Many times when I don’t like my art, it’s because I am comparing. I loved learning about Marc Chagall’s colorful paintings. He painted his story of love for Russia, his home, and Paris, the place where he fulfilled his artistic dreams. Marc includes himself flying above the city. That is often a dream I had. Painting makes me feel like I am flying by the seat of my soul.

Here’s a Marc Chagall village project because you know learning and watching the kids draw made me want to draw. Choose a colored sheet of paper or paint a beautiful background. Then use different lines and shapes to express what inspires you. I had to include lots of flowers. Always paint your story!

With Love, Mireya