Recently I had the pleasure of joining artist Linda Riesenberg Fisler on another Art Chats podcast. In our latest conversation, we had the pleasure of welcoming actress and dancer Joanna Pang Atkins, who starred in the CBS show “The Secrets of Isis,” to the conversation on gestures.
Listen to the podcast below as we explore the concept of gesture to artists, writers, and dancers. Make sure you watch the video toward the end especially – Joanna and I both share a variety of images from our performances, and discuss the dynamic gestures. (Artists are welcome to use these as photo references – if you do, let us know, as we’d love to see them!)
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THOUGHTS ON UNDERSTANDING GESTURE
by Linda Riesenberg Fisler
(an excerpt from our podcast interview)
- Research shows that more than half of all human communication takes place non-verbally.
- We must understand how our body speaks.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
- Incorporating gesture in painting, even in non-human paintings, and in our Visual Storytelling makes the message we are trying to convey more memorable.
- Punctuation adds meaning – think of punctuation in drawing as painting edges.
- Eliminate distracting mannerisms – here is where we all become editors.
- Let your body mirror your feelings – or let the subject of your painting (your star) display a gesture that conveys your story. Let your characters have feelings and use them to draw in your audience.
- Build self-confidence through preparation – free writing, drawing, practice dancing, etc.
- Use your journal, sketchbook, or mirror as a learning laboratory.
What are your thoughts on writing about, drawing/painting, or creating gestures? Share them with us in the comments below!
Peace, love, and dance,
Cherie Dawn
LifeSoup by Cherie Dawn Haas 
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