The Opposite of Inspiration is…Expiration?
- In art class this week, Melinda has been using watercolors to work on her tree.
- All the trees she paints have been struck by lightning. They are almost dead. These pictures are very dark.
- Mr. Freeman gives the tree pictures a funny look, but makes no verbal comment.
- Ivy isn't happy with her selection: "Clowns" (14.2). Ivy was so traumatized by a childhood clown that she has to see a therapist. Mr. Freeman says great art can start with what someone is afraid of.
- After a while, Mr. Freeman points out the bookshelves and the art books. He says if they get stuck, they can use the works of great artists for inspiration.
- Then Mr. Freeman starts ranting about the school board cutting the art budget. Some kids fall asleep.
- Melinda doesn't. She tries drawing a tree on notebook paper with a pen. She just can't get any feeling into her trees, and she wonders if Mr. Freeman is going to help her.