Seven Elements Poem

Seven Elements of Art
by Mrs. Ferguson 

Can art really be for everyone?
Not for me you say, “I cannot draw!”
I never have, not at all!
But I do love beautiful art, if I recall.  

Now there we go – that’s a start.
Before you know it, you’ll be doing art.
It takes courage, it’s true,
But with 7 elements, you can be doing art too!

 Let’s start with LINE, and you’ll be doing fine.
A point that moves through space, thick or thin,
That’s where your art will begin.
What happens when a line connects? Well that’s next. 

Oh I see, we’ve made a SHAPE no doubt,
Geometric or organic, you pick the route.
A square, then a circle — look, you’re doing it!
You’re making patterns, now don’t quit.

What if we add depth? That gives us FORM –
A 3D shape, not quite the norm.
You’re turning your flat shapes into form.
Cubes, spheres, cylinders and more.

Well, this is boring—all black and white.
Let’s add some COLOR with hues so bright,
Red, blue, and yellow, our primary delight.
Warm and cool makes us feel just right. 

VALUE’s next, we’ll start out light
And then show contrast, black as night.
Now, I can see your light source,
With highlights and shadows and no remorse.  

Now SPACE, no not outer-space,
But space between you and me,
With layers, details, size and more
Space can show perspective at its core.

I know we’ve just begun, but we’re almost done
TEXTURE and how things feel, is our last one.
Implied or real, Soft, rough,
And I know what you’re thinking, that’s enough. 

I agree, You showed courage, just look and see
You can love and do art now, way to be.
Don’t worry about what others may say
Create a world you love, start today.

I must say goodbye now, but with a courageous vow,
I tell you, you’re an artist now.
The 7 elements showed you how…
Art is done, now take a bow!