Posted on December 10, 2013
Originally published in the El Dorado News-Times on December 11, 2013.
In keeping with the holiday season and the colorful displays of light that it inspires, the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover will host a Tinkering workshop titled, "Light Painting,? from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday.
"Come and create a unique piece of art using only a camera and recycled holiday lights and other light sources, such as flashlights,? said Pam Beasley, museum superintendent.
"Instead of using paint, a brush and paper, light painting is a novel way to create painterly-like images. When the camera shutter is open and the room is dark, the camera acts like a blank canvas. It?s as if the image is being drawn or painted by the light source, as it moves through space. This activity enables the artist to creatively express ideas by experimenting with the color and other qualities of a light source. Light paintings may be literal representations, such as writing one?s name with lights, or impressionistic, color-filled images, such as a rainbow swirling around a person,? she said.
"Almost anything that projects light can be used as a light source. So this activity is low-tech. Once visitors see the results of their efforts, creativity is sparked and ideas are generated. Due to the low-tech nature of light painting, this activity can be tried at home as well. Participants can experiment with long exposure images of a cityscape, planes flying overhead, as well as the as the moon and the stars moving across the sky,? Beasley said. "… light painting combines artistic creativity, scientific inquiry and technology along with the use of recycled materials."
Each participant should submit an email address so that images created may be emailed to them. Reservations are required Call 870-725-2877 for more information."