My Museum (Patricia Crain de Galarce

AN ARTIST INSPIRATION WITH JOANNE LIU’S MY MUSEUM By: Patricia Crain de Galarce

This wordless book shows art appreciation from a young child’s perspective. The clever illustrations allow for the reader to interpret the artistic journey of Max at the art museum with his mom. Max discovers nature scenes out the window that give an impression of Van Gogh. Max discovers lines and textures juxtaposed to a Pollock mural. He gazes up at a beautiful maintenance worker that rivals the stature of a Greek goddess. He is intrigued by a tattooed arm that is as intricate as the glass-enclosed Chinese porcelain, painted vase. The movement of a snail mirrors the patterns of the art displayed. The young appreciator of art sees beauty by looking at the world upside down and drawing Calder shapes on a foggy window. Max sees how the sun creates patterns on the floor like the Dutch art of Mondrian. The ingenuity and creativity of young Max engages the reader to construct the story of this museum trip. The child’s perspectives, unusual noticings, and silly shadow figures imitate art. Looking to the masters can ignite brilliance but so can connecting with our imaginations. In sharing My Museum, I laughed out loud. I was reminded that I was once curious and creative. By simply seeing, we can find joy in shadows or patterns in nature. This clever book reminds me to tap into my own artistic energy and inventiveness. It reminds me that art and inspiration can be found everywhere. It reminds me to slow down and observe from a variety of angles, even outside of an art museum.