Differences Between Words and Pictures

A picture is worth a thousand words as the saying goes. That is pretty much true too. Another thing that can be said about words and pictures is that they potentially mean different things, in small or large ways, to each person. A picture can bring different words to the mind of each viewer. Words also have the potential to invoke different images in your head vs. mine, or others.

If I say cat, for example, you might be imagining different sizes, colors, fur, or temperament of cats you have experience with. Now if I draw a cat first we would see the same picture but we could notice different things about it, likely projecting a personality of our choosing on to the animal. Using our past experiences, bringing them into the present moment increases our understanding. In other words, we build thoughts on what we know. We try to make sense of new stuff by comparing things to what we already know.

I am working on a project. It’s taking some time. My little monkeys are making a game out this with me. I wrote a story and will be putting it on my website for you (link to be added when ready). I gave them each copies of this story and we will be drawing pictures for the story book. Our pictures will all be based on the same words/story but each will be different. There will be similarities, but different styles and individual thoughts in what to include in the pictures.

Since this story includes a boy and his dinosaur we have come up with all kinds of questions that aren’t answered in the text of my first story. How old is the boy? What does he look like? What exactly is the dinosaur? Do other kids have dinosaurs? Where do they live? I hope to continue my story and answer those questions. For now, these questions leave wide openings for diverse interpretations.

When it is ready I will post the full story and it’s different illustrated versions under my “Imagine” page. Once it is up I encourage you to try drawing a few pictures for your own telling of the story. Meanwhile I am posting this note and saying, “Hi from Mama Sprite!” Story time is coming soon, I hope you join us. Be creative and keep shining!