Some say there can be no marriage between science and art, but I disagree. The two are inseparable. Think, for example, of baking. Precision, mathematics, chemistry, a refined palette, a sense of balance, manual dexterity, and inspiration all play important roles in the creation, say, of an apple pie with a tender, flaky golden-brown crust and juicy filling with a taste bud-pleasing blend of sweet and tart apples.
The key ingredient, how-ever, is the cinnamon. I think of it as the heart of a perfect apple pie. In proportion to the other ingredients, a little cinnamon goes a long way and it is easily incorporated throughout the pie.
When we are creating and we put our heart into what we do, it changes everything.
What I find so charming about the science assignment pictured above is the last sentence. My son insisted on including it as part of what he observed during a bird-watching session. Completely smitten with the unit on animals they are doing in science at school, he brims with facts, fascinating stories, and now makes comments like, “You know something? I really love vertebrates!”
Very often as adults and artists we go through the motions, even when we are doing the things we enjoy, like baking—or writing and illustrating. I think it’s important to stop and remember that what we are doing—even scientifically—is “lovable.”
Taking this moment to reflect is a simple way to reinvest our heart in our passion and reincorporate passion into what we are creating. For like the tiny flecks of cinnamon that spices every hour of each four-and-twenty blackbird pie, LOVE is always there to feed the hungry muse.
Nice job Toby. I love vertebrates too.
Art and science is often a wonderful mix; throw in some love and the result might become timeless. (Well, except in the case of a pie!)
If only people were as wise as your young one and recognized the interconnectivity of all things…