Thursday, September 6, 2012

art diary


So I keep a diary. I’ve kept one since 2000. I’ve actually gone through 2 whole diary/journal books and am in the middle of my third. Some days I feel like writing long, wordy paragraphs, making sure to jot down every detail of my day. While others, I simply say to myself, “Self, I don’t really feel like writing, but there are some events that need to be documented”. On those kinds of days, I just make lists; bullets, numbers, stars, smileys, whatever to differentiate one topic from the next. Now here’s the exciting part! Guess which type of day it is today?? (I’ll give you a hint: not the first one) Since my journey of life/highschool/maturity kind of overpowered my art journey this summer when it came to documentation, this post will be like a game of catch-up—a summer overview, if you will.

1.       Think about your goals for AP.
a.       Hmm…think think think…I really just want to keep going in the direction I was heading last year. I think I’m fairly prepared for this class and just need to continue my level of motivation and determination in order to meet deadlines (preferably without staying up all night) and stay inspired to create work that I’m proud of.
2.       What skills do you have? Strengths? Weaknesses?
a.       Well. I take some pretty darn good pictures. Most of the time. I like using interesting angles and capturing things at their best. I also have a talent in writing funky fonts, doodling, photoshop/editing, and page layouts. Weaknesses, you make ask?? Drawing faces… in all my sketches, the people are faceless. (except for one page where I tried to draw faces of people…but then realized they’d probably be terribly offended if they saw what I thought they looked like…) A weakness I improved on last year was painting with a looser style. Before, I was a smidge uptight with my paint and brush and a total perfectionist. Last year, in painting II, I was able to relax and was comfortable with seeing my marks and mixing color on the canvas.
3.       What subjects do I hope to develop?
a.       I’m kind of confused by the question, in all honesty. But I’m guessing maybe what do I hope to accomplish as an artist skill-wise…? Maybe? Maybe not. Oh well. My ultimate goal is to one day paint/draw a self-portrait that looks like me. But that may not happen this year either. I guess I don’t really have an answer to this question.
4.        What are the 5 top projects I feel I MUST do??
a.       1. Combo-piece of a photograph and my own drawing. Ever since I saw Aimee Violette’s senior showcase, there’s been one photo that she added a drawing of a couple on to it, and it’s been in my mind ever since. 2. Collage that honors my car, Gerald. For he is no longer with us. 3. A picture/painting/drawing/photo that is really really long, but not very wide. I like the visual appearance of the canvas shape. 4. Design an affective poster that grabs people’s attention. 5. A piece with myself in it, in some way/shape/form.
5.       Do I plan to study art/related field in college?
a.       Nope. 
6.       Why am I taking AP?
a.       It was my ultimate goal when starting out art in high school. I wanted to be one of those crazy-cool, artsy-fartsy seniors who live in the art room :)
7.       What do I hope to get out of this class?
a.       As stressful as the schedule and deadlines may be, I hope to get relaxation and enjoyment out of this class. It’s not a notes and computers and test kind of class. It’s where I can be free and express myself and just hang out. It’s also awesome that this class will give me the chance to get to know people better that I wouldn’t normally spend that much time with.
8.       Am I willing to spend my own money on supplies?
a.       Already have :P but yes, I find it important, so I have no problem with spending some cash now and then.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was the summer sum-up! 

scholastic website of fun


Wandering around on the Scholastic Art website, AGAIN, I was inspired. WHO WOULD’VE GUESSED. But hey, get a huge gallery full of unique art from kids my age, and I don’t know who wouldn’t be impressed. I guess I really didn’t know there were so many art awards out there to win even. Writing too. This website is another good example of how closely related art and writing is. Writing is a work of art constructed of words with meaningful diction, rather than canvases covered in emotional strokes. Here are a few of the works that stood out to me while browsing.

BRIANNA
ROBINSON

Age 17, Grade 12
Mallard Creek High School
Charlotte, NC
Teacher: Kristin St Martin
·         Regional Affiliate: The Arts Education Department of the Charlotte-Mec

Gold Medal Description: award
2012 



MIN JEONG
CHO

Age 17, Grade 11
Interlochen Arts Academy
Interlochen, MI
Teacher: Melinda Zacher
·         Regional Affiliate: Alliance

Silver Medal Description: award
2012 
  

art thingy i attended over the summer


A few weeks ago, my family and I visited the Lake CountryArt Show like we do every year. I absolutely love it. Not only because I normally end up walking away with some pretty cool-lookin art stuff, but also because it’s inspiring to see all the different types of artists and all their work. The artists range from people whose lives depend on the income of their art, to others who simply enjoy art as a hobby. In the future (on my bucket list, you could say) I hope to be able to have my own tent at an art festival. Not saying I want to base my whole life purely on my art and its ability to sell, but to maybe frame a couple of photos and see if they would sell. The atmosphere is something I wish to be a part of someday. And with the current art path I am on, hopefully I’ll reach my goal. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to be able to make art for fun alllllll the time, AND get some extra cash now and then? Pretty sweet deal if ya ask me :)

quotes are art


So for the past few days I’ve been visiting the website www.arts.state.wi.us/static and checking their Wisconsin news. Looking through everything, the news and grant stuff didn’t really jump out. What did jump out, however, were the daily quotes at the beginning of each newsletter. I’m a HUGE quote person. I think that WASC (leadership camp) has really affected me in that way. A quote, to me, is like art. Every word is chosen carefully in order to give off a certain mood or feeling. Quotes make me cry, laugh, ponder, feel angry, etc. Just like art. So instead of sharing art or helpful tidbits on how to get grants in WI, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite quotes from the past few days. Enjoy!

“Everybody is ignorant, only in different subjects.” – Will Rogers

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

“Envy is an insult to oneself.” – Yevgeny Yevtushenko

“I can't complain, but sometimes I still do.” – Joe Walsh

“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” – William Faulkner

“If people never did silly things nothing intelligent would ever get done.” – Ludwig Wittgenstein

“When you're happy for yourself, it fills you. When you're happy for someone else, it pours over.”– Sarah Addison Allen