In my last blog post I related a story from my childhood. (See Beach Fun Means Cheese & Pickle Sandwiches 1960's Style! ) from June 29, 2022.
First, let’s define narrative.
Storytelling always involves the presentation of a story—a narrative.
The narrative can be written or visual. Let’s start by telling a written narrative story that we can develop into a visual narrative.
A visual narrative is a type of story that is told primarily or entirely through visual media, such as photographs, illustrations, or video. There are no restrictions on the types of narratives that can be made in a visual manner — a visual narrative can be fiction or nonfiction of any genre.
Narrative Art tells a story. It uses the power of the visual image to ignite imaginations, evoke emotions and capture the attention of the viewer.
Taken while painting plein air on Skaket Beach, The Cape-October 2018
1960’s Family on the Beach
First Create a Written Personal Narrative
Here is a photograph of a family on a beach for inspiration. How can you create your own visual narrative story? This image might fall under the category of a special trip or holiday.
Write a brief outline telling your (their) story. Choose a prompt from the following list or use your own idea! Your story should be related to a personal experience. You will be creating an artwork based on your story after you have finished writing.
Consider the following questions:
● What is the setting?
● What emotions are felt or expressed in your story?
● What did you learn from the experience?
● What made this story important or special to you?
Story Prompts:
● A challenge you faced
● A personal achievement
● A conflict you experienced
● An adventure you had
● A special trip or vacation
● A big change in your life
My story will be about (title):______________________________________________
You now are beginning to create your own narrative story. By definition, narrative art is the type of visual art that tells stories. How can you tell your story in a visual narrative?
What is AGENCY: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines agency as “ the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; a person or thing through which power is exerted or an end is achieved ”. Art is imbued with agency, or at least an ability to evoke some sort of change or response in the viewer.
How could the below image have been inspired? In the next blog post we will explore agency and how some artists go about creating narrative art.
David Bowers, “Listen,” 24 x 18, oil on panel