Art & Craft - Introduction
Chapter 1 Section 1 - An Unexpected Turn of Events
Chapter 1 Section 2

Art & Craft

Chapter 1 Section 1 - An Unexpected Turn of Events

page 1

Jenny

Didn't you like drawing circles? I was sure you did! Why don't you want to do it anymore?

Mathew

I just don't.

Jenny

Why not?! How about lines or squares? Lines can be so lovely. They can be excellent!

Mathew

You draw lines!

Jenny sighs in dismay as she turns away from her younger brother, Mathew. She has hoped to inspire him to take up drawing, but her efforts have backfired. Instead of rekindling his love of art, poor Mathew wants nothing to do with pencils, markers, or paintbrushes.

The desperate girl cannot stop thinking about the beautiful assortment of boxes filled with vibrant, colorful paints sitting untouched and gathering dust in her brother's room.

page 2

Jenny (thinking)

Why isn't he interested now? He was interested before! If I were as talented as he, I would never abandon drawing. I would practice every day! But I cannot! I have clothes to wash and goats to feed. Mathew could be a real artist one day, but he doesn't want to! Oh, I wish he wasn't so stubborn!

Jenny has been strolling along a winding hiking path, surrounded by sweet-smelling honeysuckle bushes, for a good few minutes now. She is sure her brother will eventually catch up with her.

Despite the serene surroundings, the girl cannot help feeling cross with her brother. Jenny doesn't quite fathom why she is so worked up about something as trivial as her brother's reluctance to draw. Still, she walks faster along the familiar path, hoping to convey the extent of her displeasure.

page 3

A few minutes later, Jenny feels compelled to check if Mathew is still following her. She casually turns around and realizes that Mathew is lingering a few paces behind, his gaze fixed intently on something in the bushes.

Jenny runs back to investigate what has captured Mathew's attention. As the girl approaches, the mysterious creature suddenly springs out, nearly causing both siblings to stumble and fall.

Jenny and Mathew stood frozen in shock and confusion, unable to immediately comprehend what had just scared them half to death. Their eyes darted around frantically, searching for the source of their fear. Suddenly, a large, egg-shaped, quivering object appeared in the middle of the trail. As they stared at the object, a large, smiling face slowly materialized in the middle of it.

Jenny (screaming)

Agh!

Mathew (covering his face with his hands)

I am not even here!

page 4

Egg

Open your eyes, children!

(singing)

I am a simple, easy-going creature who has come in peace.

I would like to reassure you, children, it will be a breeze!

We will dance and sing together, babies, even if you aren't.

Babies. I mean.

Sunshine. Moonshine. Chickenpox and rabies. I have lost the plot!

Jenny (stupefied)

What? What are you talking about?!

Mathew (first peeking between his fingers, then lowering his arms and smiling faintly)

What are you supposed to be?

Egg

Phew! I was worried you would be scared of me! Now, I can see. You are very brave.

Jenny

Are you an artificial intelligence alien man?

Egg (guffaws)

Ha-ha-ha! Any more ideas?

page 5 | BUY poster|

Jenny and Mathew have yet to respond. Their eyes locked on the mysterious stranger before them. Slowly, tentatively, they summoned the courage to approach the enigmatic "egg," circling it, attempting to unravel its mystery.

As they move, the face follows them and quietly observes them.

Finally, after several failed attempts to comprehend the enigmatic identity of the egg man, Jenny furrows her brow, crosses her arms in front of her, and musters the courage to address him directly.

Jenny

So what are you then?

Egg

I thought you'd never ask! My name is Baglioni Artificiado! There. A perfect name for an egg, don't you think?!

Mathew (who is entirely at ease now and back to his usual self)

Not really!

page 6

Baglioni

You will have to come with me!

Jenny (feeling indignant)

What do you mean, "come with me"? We are not going anywhere!

Jenny tightly grasps her brother's hand and hurriedly pulls him away from the mysterious egg. However, Baglioni swiftly closes in on them and blocks their path.

Baglioni

I am sorry, but as you have crossed that threshold—the egg leans in an attempt to point at something behind the children—you have moved into my territory and must follow me to be registered.

Jenny (almost on the verge of tears)

We didn't know it was your territory! We didn't know! We must go back home!

Jenny shifts her gaze towards her brother and observes that he appears unfazed. His smile broadens, indicating a sense of heightened curiosity and excitement rather than fear.

page 7

Jenny (addressing the egg-man, still unsure how to proceed)

Will we ever go home?

Baglioni

But of course! After you complete the challenge!

Jenny (frowning)

I don't like challenges. I never win any challenges! I wish we could go back home to our garden and goats.

Baglioni

Your goats will be fine! Don't worry!

Mathew (addressing Baglioni)

So what about that challenge?

Baglioni

Oh. You are not ready yet. (Moving closer to the boy.) You! Specifically, you are not ready!

Mathew (protesting)

Why me!? I am ready!

Baglioni (grins wider)

Oh, my dear boy, don't be so impatient.

page 8

Baglioni's face slides up his quivering shell, remaining on top for a while before returning to his previous position.

Baglioni

We have to hurry! It's getting dark! You don't want Toom-Tooms to get you!

Jenny (getting used to the idea of staying in Baglioni's land for a while)

Who are Toom-Tooms?

Baglioni

I'll tell you all about them later. Right now, get into the buggy and follow me.

Jenny and Mathew gazed around and were astonished to see a horse buggy materialize out of thin air. The buggy, which is meant to be drawn by two horses, has a plain pencil-drawn circle and a line pulling it. As children settle in their seats, they observe in quiet wonderment how the skinny shapes dance up and down as they pull the carriage, following Baglioni floating along the path, leading them to an uncertain future.

Challenge 1

OBJECTIVE

Participants will unleash their artistic potential through a simple yet profound exercise.

MATERIALS NEEDED

a notepad, a piece of paper, or any drawing surface
pencils, markers, acrylic brush pens, paint brushes, and paints, etc
a quiet place to sit and a nice flat drawing surface

Drawing Materials Examples

Legion Stonehenge

check it out

Acrylic Markers

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Legion Papers ™

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Prismacolor Premier

check it out

CHALLENGE 1 - STEPS

Take a few deep breaths and place your drawing or painting materials before you.
On top of the drawing page/ sheet/ piece of paper, write: "My life path."
Close your eyes and repeat the words a few times in your mind.
Open your eyes and draw/ paint a line (in any direction).
- Go with the flow. Draw any line you want: straight, wavy, or zig-zag.
- You can create a line of dots, smaller lines, or geometric shapes.
- Embrace any ideas that enter your mind. The only rule is that the image must resemble one line.

Side Note/ Suggestion:

Specify an interval for your life path line. For example, you may write, "My life path. 08/07/1995 - 08/07/2000."

You may also want to draw life paths representing the same periods as many times as you like on different days.

Creating paths representing different periods of your life can help you become more comfortable with drawing and using various art materials while providing an opportunity for a potentially therapeutic emotional processing meditation.

The process mainly occurs on a subconscious level and doesn't necessitate dwelling on specific moments in your life unless you choose to do so. Nonetheless, it can be quite soothing.

HOMEWORK

For the next 14 weeks (yes, you read it right :)), follow the Challenge 1 steps every day, every other day, or as often as you like.

For extra reinforcement, consider adding a task to your calendar and keep the drawing materials handy (near a place where you will most likely use them.) For example, if you watch TV after dinner, you can keep them on a side table near a couch.

Remember, stick to the main rule: the image must resemble one line.

Please consider supporting the project by uploading a PDF version of the challenge to add to your binder. You can also purchase a cute spiral notebook and Life Path Notepad to draw/ record your impressions.