“Look at this art and
remember something;
anything, good or bad and
hold on to it, cherish it
and then let it roam
free…” ~Fisher Lietz
If you did not already make the connection, Fisher is my son. Now I realize today’s post strays a bit from the main polymer clay focus of this blog… but I was just so moved by the meaningfulness of this piece, that I just HAD to share it with you all.
I guess I could do a tie in with my Mosaico Earrings from the other day… since they do have a somewhat similar look, but that would be a stretch :-)
Here’s a little background info about today’s post…
One day last week, Fisher pulled out the artwork from his backpack and placed it on the kitchen counter. When I saw the piece, I remarked right away that it was beautiful. He said it was made with one continuous line, and that he wrote an artist’s statement attached to the back. Then we headed off to school. It wasn’t until lunch that I really had a chance to look at it again.
Now Fisher hasn’t really considered himself to be an artist, at least not in the drawing or painting sense of the word. He tends to like to work more with his hands in a physical way, building Lego or making little Pokemon figurines out of polymer clay. He also loves to write, and is quite an intellectual when it comes to conversations.
When I read what Fisher wrote about his art, I was very moved. He put so much care and thought into the piece. This wasn’t just a cool picture with some lines and blocks of color. It was a true piece of inspired art. There was depth and meaning represented… about the connection between his art and his life.
Hopefully you will find some inspiration as well, from Fisher’s creativity. To look deeper inside. To know that even when you face adversity in your life, there will always be sparkling shards of color and joy mixed in amongst the shattered glass.
Artist: Fisher D. Lietz 2011
Title of Work: Shattered Glass
Artist Statement:
This piece of art shows that life is usually good hence the bright colors but it also shows that you can have bad stuff happen to you too, that’s why there are small amounts of darker colours like the black and grey. If something really bad happens like a close friend or relitive passes away the glass will shatter. The glass may shatter, but remember among that broken glass is brite colours you can never throw away.
Now for the way I did it, I used the multiple lines to give the art a more abstract feel; but with meaning. I want people to look at this art and remember something; anything, good or bad and hold on to it, cherish it and then let it roam free in their heads again, and always remember to be thankful to be alive.
~Fisher D. Lietz
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| Note: In the Art Marking Rubric chart filled out by the teacher, the symbols: NYM = Not Yet Meeting Expectations, MM = Minimally Meets Expectations, FM = Fully Meets Expectations and Exc = Exceeds Expectations. Way to go Fisher :-) |
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Yeah! Great work Fisher, very inspirational. I really like the artist’s statement and I love the use of straight lines and colour. Beautiful.
Fisher – your work and statements have left me nearly speechless. I am in awe of what you have done. I know that our world is in good hands when I see what a child of your age has created.
Excellent! Certainly seems wise beyond his years and such a great colour sense.
This is an amazing piece of work for anyone to produce, let alone a child. The use of space is so well balanced, and the amount of colour compared with white ‘space’ shows considerable thought has gone into this. Keep on encouraging Fisher, Cindy, he shows amazing promise and should be given every opportunity!
What an amazing statement made from a child. Quite profound. I will copy that and hang that on my wall. Very creative too.
Aw. Sooooo cute!
You and Doug have two on the ball kids! Congrats!
You’ve got some kids with a whole lot wisdom for their age! And very creative as well. Loved what Fisher had to say! Congratulations Fisher!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us Cindy. I love the art and the artist’s statement. My middle son (just graduated high school) told us he wanted to study art in college. Dad gave him the “what the heck are you going to do with that?” look. I just said Yes! Score! LOL
What an extraordinary young man. Would that many of us older folks could see life the same way. You have an inspired artist growing in your family. (Your heart is probably still melting!)
Fisher, love your art piece and your artist statement. Please consider preserving this wonderful, inspirational piece of art. Maybe one day you could see it hanging in an art gallery. Wouldn’t it be fun to watch the visitors stop by to admire it? I’d love to be there. Great success to you.
Cindy, thanks, more than a million, for sharing Fisher with us. Our young people today are wonderful and sometimes we are lucky enough to see the great depth they have. Beautiful, beautiful, you must be so……Yes!??
Fisher – how inspiring and truly artful your work is. Comes from the heart, which makes it a masterpiece! :)
The talent in this family truly runs deep………….AWESOME!
This is such an AWESOME post! Fisher… YOU ROCK!
Thank you everyone for your wonderful support and feedback for Fisher!! He is at camp right now with his school, but he is going to be thrilled when he gets back to see what everyone has written. Thanks again!
PS. If you would like to see an older picture of Fisher, click the link by my name. That reminds me, we need some new pictures of all of us on here. Fisher is not the only one who looks older now. LOL
@Cindy Lietz from Dated Photo of Fisher: Precious… life is good….Stories like this… keep “em” coming… we need alot more good in this world..
Thanks Cindy
@Cindy Lietz from Dated Photo of Fisher:
I’ve often wondered how some folk have a picture beside their name, happy to provide one if you can tell me how!
@Marion: That’s great you are wanting to add your photo to the blog. Those little thumbnail pics (aka Gravatars), really help a lot in making the community feel much more friendly and inviting.
The link by my name above will take you to another comment where I discussed how the Gravatar process works. It’s very easy to do.
After the Gravatar system “processes” your photo upload (it can sometimes take a few hours)… then that generic sideways G logo which is currently posted beside each of your comments here at my blog… will miraculously change to the personalized photo you have added.
By the way, if you type “Gravatar” into the search box at the top of the page, you’ll also get some links to other comment threads where this topic has been discussed by other members as well.
“SEE” you soon :-)
I wonder if the world would be different if we remembered what it was like to look at it through the eyes of a child. Fisher, thank you for reminding us with your beautiful beautiful art and the message you created within it.
WTG Fisher! Very impressed…
Congratulations, Fisher! Well done! Just what I needed to see and read this morning! Thank you! My dad is in very critical condition and needed CPR yesterday. I may be away from the blog for a few days but know that this new family of mine is super!!
@Catalina: My prayers are with you and your family. May your father recover from his illness.
@Catalina: Oh Catalina, I am so sorry that your Dad is so ill. I am sure I speak for all of our clay family, that you, your Dad and the rest of your family, are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care. Love ~ Cindy
@Catalina: Cat I am so sorry your Dad has gotten worse. I will continue to pray for your Dad, you and all of your family. God Bless you and yours.
Love and Uuuggs, Peggy
Now that is a young man “after my own heart!” He’s artistic, loving, and and passionate — just like his mom!
Oh this was great. Out camping with school children, and it is great when they can be creative.
Catalina: My heart is with you and I send you and your family love and best wishes.
Cindy: Fisher’s statement brought tears to my eyes. How profound are his thoughts. I know you must be so proud. And pat yourself on the back. There is a freedom of thought and perspective that must be nurtured in the home, that assists that beautiful voice to emerge. I’ve worked with children and families for over 35 years. Fisher is a voice for children who haven’t had the opportunity to develop their own. And best of all, you nurture our artistic development as lovingly as you nurture those of your children. I, for one, am very happy for that.
@ Catalina- Your Dad and family will be in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel His strength and presence during this difficult time.
@ Cindy – What an amazing, talented family! I was very moved by his statement. He has conveyed it so well in his art. Such profound wisdom. Congratulations Fisher! Awesome artwork!
Catalina: I am so sorry about your Dad. My prayers are with you and your family.
Fisher: Thanks you for sharing your ART !!! You definitely have talent – so find ways to show it. Art is a wonderful way to show who you are. Never be discouraged -just keep trying new things til you find what is in your heart.
Hoping to see more ! Keep us posted, please.
Cindy: we know your plate is so full. Thanks you for including your family in your posts. We all enjoy your sharing…………….;D
Wow, Fisher, I’m almost speechless! You may not think of yourself as an artist, but clearly you’ve inherited artistic talent from your parents…and you certainly are an artist when it comes to words.
This young man I think has just taught all of us a wonderful lesson. If only we could all see through his eyes for a week or two. I know I would appreciate the wonderful life I have been blessed with even more in the most artistic way possible. Thank you Fisher for opening my eyes to see your beautiful art just as you have in the most gifted way possible. Then your statement could not of been more perfect. Your parents must be so very proud of you. I am so happy you are enjoying life in such a positive and artistic way. Congratulations to you and your parents.
Cindy and Doug I couldn’t be happier for 2 more wonderful people. Fisher has just shown us what wonderful parents he has been blessed with. God Bless you and your family.
I was so in awe of Fisher’s comments regarding his art and reflecting a true passionate heart very much in advance of his age.
This young man clearly proves a saying that we use quite often in the US…..
Out of the mouth of babes comes the wisdom of our humanity we’ve passed on!
Way to go Cindy and Doug for raising such a little man! Way to go Fisher for such a peice of life’s wisdom in your art!
I really want to thank everybody for all the compliments and the support you’ve given me, that was very kind of all of you.
Catalina, my heart goes out to you and your father, may he recover soon.
I am so proud of Fisher for the effort and time he put into figuring out what he wanted to do for this art assignment. We were looking at the art of Paul Klee at the time, and looking at using watercolour to make a wash, and then bright colours over the wash to create the image. Fisher integrated an art assignment we had done in the previous year where the students had to use a continuous line to creat a subject. Aside from being very visually appealing, Fisher’s “Artist’s Statement” shows an incredible understanding of colour theory and colour psychology. Fisher definitely is an amazing student to teach, and a very amazing young man to watch grow and expand his understanding of the world. Congratulations Fisher!
@Ms Lewis (Fisher’s Teacher): Thank you so much!! Your comment was amazing! Fisher will be thrilled. I appreciate you going the extra mile like you did.
I don’t know what your reason for becoming a teacher was, but if it was to change the world, one child at a time, then you have already achieved that.
Thank you for being such a positive influence in Fisher’s life!
Fisher ur Art is so inspiring. Lives can b shattered and bits of color scattered amongst the pieces, That line that is continuous is like the learning curve. Ur never quit learning, either thru someone else’s creativity or ur own. It is GOOD to share tho. I want 2 thank-you 4 that and ur Mom.