Julie Bousum

What do you get when you combine history, biology, international cultures, rhyme, alliteration, and art? You get the newest book from Firehouse Publications titled “If Picasso Went To The Sea.” This inter-curricular collection of poems and illustrations, created by 35 art teachers from all over the world, including local art teacher Julie Bousum of Marshalltown who is currently teaching at Meskwaki Settlement School, was designed with children in mind. We suspect though that it will be bought up and treasured by adults too if the author’s last book, “If Picasso Went To The Zoo” is any indication. Julie Bousum will be donating copies of this book to the Meskwaki Settlement Elementary Library, the Meskwaki Settlement High School Library, and the Marshalltown Public Library.

This collaboratively created volume started with the 2016 New Year and a group of die-hard certified art teachers, sharing ideas and choosing artists to emulate from history. From Renaissance works to more modern pieces of Pop, each participant chose an artist from history to emulate. From Matisse and Picasso to Louise Nevelson or Frida Kahlo, these teachers stepped into the shoes of historic greats and created a work of art of an alliterative animal that artist might have made.

This is a common project in schools across the United States and abroad-to learn about the life and work of an artist and try to make a new work within their genre-not just a copy, but a work that might fit into their portfolio.

“The collection is awesomely diverse!” says author Eric Gibbons, “We have artists from all over the earth, from different periods of time, male and female, black, white, Native American, and everything in between. We also chose a very diverse approach to the media including traditional paintings and illustrations, but also sculpture, pottery, and even an example of needlepoint in the style of Mary May Morris. My favorite thing about these projects is that I learn about so many important artists I had not really heard of, and I have been teaching art for more than a quarter century!”

Gibbons continues, “We all know Picasso, Matisse, and Rubens, and some people with a bit of an art background will recognize names like Erte’, William Blake, or Cy Twombly, but how many know the influence and importance of Beatrice Wood, Pedro Linares, Minnie Evans, or Reza Abbasi? I had not heard of Mr. Abbasi before writing this book, and learned that he is considered a national treasure of Iran for his work. He is truly amazing! There is something here for everyone, no matter their familiarity with art or art history.

The photo by Julie Bousum accompanying a poem.

Each artwork is accompanied with a unique poem that tells a bit about the artist, his or her genre, and the sea creature subject. Each artist has an alliterative animal, like Picasso Porpoise, Matisse Manatee, or Nevelson Narwhal. Each illustration has a tiny shell nearby to help you understand if the creature is endangered, threatened, extinct, or thriving. The author has even uploaded a free extended learning packet readers can download and explore themes of marine biology, poetry, research, history, and more.

Gibbons says, “People often mistakenly assume that art is a frill to help fill time in school when really it is the key to a successful program. Art combines all disciplines and makes them more deeply understood by children. Students who have art outscore their non art peers by a wide margin. Solid research shows that students who have art in high school score an average of 100 points higher on the SAT exam than their non art peers. Art teachers know, when we grid, measure, and draw-we use geometry. When we make sculptures-we use engineering. When we mix colors-we reveal information about physics. When we create illustrations for stories-we learn about literature. When we review the styles of art from da Vinci to Banksy-we teach history. When we write about art-we strengthen these skills. When we create works of art, we solve complex visual problems in creative ways. Art is the meeting place of all subject and should be supported in all schools around the world with certified art teachers.”

Books will initially be available through Amazon.com and several museum bookstores across the USA, and direct from the publisher at www.firehousepublications.com. You can find out more information too by connecting with the publisher’s Facebook page, just search “Firehouse Publications.”