Bittersweet Symphony

1.) What is one thing that you would change about this class?

A.) I really wish that I could have been in the actual AP class period. It makes me sad to know how much I missed out on at times, but I couldn't drop out of band! Otherwise I'm not sure I would change anything...

2.) Do you have any advice for future AP students?

A.) I think that future AP students need to not stress about these projects - not until the end of the year did I start to ENJOY doing these projects over looking at them more so as homework. Enjoy making art and even though at times it seems to pile up on you along with everything else going on in your life, if you have a talent then use it. It's so worth it in the end.

3.) What are you going to miss most about high school - and please don't say the people. Pick something else, good or bad.

A.) Haha, I would say the last thing I'd miss is the people. I think the thing I will miss most are small classes. I love learning so much, and having a smaller class is kind of cool because I think we have some great teachers here that I have loved getting to know. Mostly I'll miss the art department and band, but I'll be in a bigger art department in college, and a band full of talented people which really excites me.

4.) Give me one final thought - it can be about anything. Share a part of yourself. Something that your portfolio teachers don't know about you.

A.) I feel like my teachers don't know a lot about me! I guess I'll give a cheesy sentimental little statement of saying that I really appreciate everything you all have done for me and all of your students. I love the people involved at the art department here and I think that the teachers do such a wonderful job and not only are great teachers but (from what I know) are great people as well. I had a great four years at high school and made amazing memories, but I am DEFINITELY not one of those people who will say that high school was the best time of my life (I think that is completely pathetic, just saying) because I think that there are always better things to come. I'm so excited to continue to grow as a person and experience college, experience friendships and relationships, make memories with my family, create art, and I am just so excited for so many things to come in my life. Life is so beautiful and even though it seems hard to leave this big chapter of my life it had to happen eventually and I think that now is a great time. I just hope everyone continues to pursue art in some way, no matter where they are at in their life.

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.  ~Schumann

I'm Such a Bando.

Graduation is becoming closer and closer and I am so excited, yet at the same time there are a lot of things that I will miss about high school. I am going to miss seeing everybody everyday, I am going to miss having the ability to slack off and still get by with basically all A's, and I am going to miss having art classes to always look forward to (even though I still will in college, it will be different). Most of all, I am going to miss band. I have become who I am today because of being involved with the band program here. Mr. Tallman has been one of my biggest influences and favorite teachers for the past four years, and I hold so many memories within band. One of the biggest things I have acquired from being involved in band is becoming an even stronger leader. I love being a leader and I have been on the leadership team since sophomore year, and this year I was the section leader of the saxophones. I think that has given me the ability to befriend so many people and different 'types' of people, plus I have been able to continue really great friendships such as the one I have with Amber while she was in it, and with Erica who I hold a great relationship with. I am so thankful for the friendships I have from band, and I really hope to get accepted into the band program at UIC which I auditioned for about a month ago. Not only have I become a better person through band, but my skills in performance have improved SO much. I still can't get over nerves most of the time in front of judges or soloing in front of audiences, but it is something I continue to get better at. I love being involved with music, it is one of my favorite things in the world.  think that music shows feelings, it gives you the power to move others and to express what you cannot. There are so many similarities between music and art (obviously, because music is an art), and I love being able to be apart of both of these things.

Ohhh yeah.

1.) What are 3 art related things that you have learned so far this year? What have you tried, improved upon, or conceptually thought of?

- I think the biggest "art related thing" I have learned this year is basically in the areas of my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned what I like to work with and what I don't, but I mostly have learned I really want to stick with art and still have tons of room to grow. I have also learned how to use and try different things when making art!

2.) What areas of art do you still need to improve?

- I need to improve mostly on just sticking with/starting off with a solid idea - I ALWAYS change my ideas! I have gotten better, though.

3.) Where do you see yourself, art related, in 3 years? Will you still be pursuing art and trying new things or do you think it will take a back seat in your lives?

- I am not positive, but I know that art will always be in my life in some ways. I hope for it to stay in my career, and I am pretty sure it will!

4.) What have you gotten out of this class?

- A lot of things! Mostly it has kind of been a time of reflecting for myself and I am thankful for that. I have had a really hard past two years, and I feel like I needed this time to grow and reflect. I feel like I am finally coming out of my creative rut and I love it!

This is Really Dumb...

On Friday I went prom dress shopping with Amber and Erica and this got me sooo excited for prom! I don't know what it is about prom, but I just love it! I sound like such a girl, but I cannot wait. Trying on different dresses, tanning, finding accessories - these small things in preparation for this one day some of the best part! I always have a hard time finding shoes, though. I have kinda big feet:( ok, really big. But I guess I'm pretty tall, too. I'm taller than my boyfriend, it's kinda sad, but it's okay. He's lucky I like him or I'd find a new date (I guess I wouldn't be dating him if I didn't). I think finding your dress is definitely the best part. There are so many different styles and colors and patterns and so many to choose from! I think it is so much fun. I am especially excited for this year because last year my mom did not get to look for dresses with me which made me really sad. Prom was around the time she was diagnosed with cancer and so she was always in bed or in the hospital, but she does not have this cancer anymore and I think that this is the main reason why I am so excited for this dance. Plus, it is our last high school dance, it is crazy!! I'm not going to be one who holds onto high school as the best days of my life (that's pathetic), but I definitely have great memories from high school. Anyways - not only do we get to spend the next month looking for the right dress and accessories, but then comes prom where you spend the day doing your hair and makeup and getting your nails done having such a fun night with your friends! Everyone should go, I am obviously very excited and this is one of the dumbest blogs ever but I just felt like ranting about my excitement!

I've got an itch!

Right now we are doing are project in my 2D design class that is... scratch art!! I am really excited for this project because I have never used scratch art (for an actual project). This scratch art project is also why I put my title as 'I've got an itch', because I can't wait to begin scratching, haha. I LOVE using new mediums because I always suck the first time but I find out if I like it or not and normally I love it! I also just used oil paints for my first time ever and I like them as well. I don't know why but I just love using new mediums. I love experimenting and learning new things. I just love to learn! "Write how it is going to be amazing and I am going to be proud of you" -Mrs. Martin (referring to my scratch art)... I better do a good job. I like my idea, it of course involves a person. I don't know why but people just fascinate me. Also - to ramble a little more - you guys need to learn how to spell! I know i make errors on my blogs as well but we were just discussing how some people cannot spell and Mrs. Martin told me to write my blog about that after I had already started... so... I don't know. First lesson in spelling: there is a MAJOR difference in 'your' and 'you're', also, there is a major difference in 'there' and 'their'. Those are just two small things to remember. THERE you go!

ugh.

I feel like my only decent art work this year are breadth pieces, which I hate. I am not happy with my art whatsoever - I can do so much better. I am not all that excited for these shows because of this, and it is so frustrating. I don't really know what to do. I don't have time to do stuff that I will love to put into bloom because it is so near, and that one makes me the most sad because it involves all the other students around me who participate and I want to show them my talent. I guess I should have thought about that a little earlier? I've just had a really bad past year and a half with family and school and stuff, mostly family, and I think it has really just kept me from giving it my all. That shouldn't be an excuse, though. But... it is true. I feel like all that matters though is that I know I am talented and I know that I have an artistic eye. However, I have come to find I think I am better at things like still life's opposed to just sitting down and drawing. I also have so much to learn and tons of room to grow, and I am excited to do just that.

stupid.

This is totally random, but last night I was watching the super bowl and the black eyed peas performed at the super bowl and I feel the need to rant about something... basically they sucked. Not that I did not know that already - most of the famous singers/bands now have no talent, it all has to do with the technology and this really bothers me. The only reason they are famous is because they know people or are "hot", and that is the next thing I need to complain about... I decided to post this on Facebook last night and somebody that I work with made a comment that it doesn't matter because she is hot. Personally, I think she is ugly (no offense Fergie, I actually kind of sort of like you). Guys just like that she has a nice body, but honestly, is it really that body that counts? Personally I would rather be called pretty or beautiful or cute - I think that hot simply refers to having a nice body. I do not know where I am going with this, I guess that I just think that it is funny that one day their bodies are not going to be so hot, and you are going to have to refer back to their face, and a lot of the time that part isn't too pretty unless it was to begin with. Jussst saying, that is my little rant on looks.

I apologize for only complaining in this blog, but on a happy note go Packers!

beautiful you.

There are so many things to write about for a free blog, how am I supposed to choose?! I was going to write about music, which I have written about before, but then I decided to write about something different... Recently I changed my idea for my concentration in AP. I was not getting anything done, and I was not inspired. My inspiration was basically emotions through nature. I love trees and flowers and how nature can be so beautiful at any given time, yet I came to realize this was not what I wanted to put into a portfolio, it was not right for me. I decided to change my concentration topic to focusing more on people - emotions through people. I want to show ways in how people express themselves and really just to show through my artwork how beautiful these emotions and feelings can be. For some reason I am fascinated with people - I don't care for science, not anything like biology or anatomy or anything - I just feel like there is something so beautiful about people. The way we interact, the way we move, even more simply how our hair falls into place, and how our eyes show so much more than we even mean for them to. I like how not only our faces show what we are feeling, but almost any part of our body can carry that feeling through in a photograph. I think that everyone is beautiful in some way, even though today in society being stick thin and looking a certain way is the only beauty. I do not agree with that, I think that sometimes you have to look a little harder for beauty, and we all know beauty is way more than the outer appearance. Everyone needs to know that they are beautiful in some way, and I am so excited to portray people through my artwork. I think a personality that is beautiful takes you so much further than looks.

"All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren't."
— Marilyn Monroe

Who Cares?

Honestly... who cares. I hate when people make such little things a huge deal. These artists created this ark work, now let it be. If you do not like it, then get over it.
That's a little harsh, haha, but I do not know how else to say it. Personally, I like these pieces. To me, these pieces are not "too controversial" whatsoever. I do not really know what else to say.
To respond to Mrs. Martin, I like the piece be Damien Hirst as well. I think that it is so awesome, but I would not use it as an island as my kitchen. That may be a little over the top :)
I just think that these five pieces are simply art. If the artist intentionally makes it controversial, then just let them do so. If you really do not like it so much then ignore it, don't look at it. In my own opinion I don't even see them as very controversial at all... but who knows. Maybe I am wrong!

alright, new semester.

1.) How many breadth pieces and how many concentration pieces do you have?
2.) What is your biggest weakest that needs to be worked on right now?
3.) What is your best memory from 1st semester - story, project, daily event?
4.) What have you learned about yourself and artwork up to this point?
5.) How can I push you to improve? What do you expect from me?


1. Um... am I supposed to know this? Ha. I really do not know. I know that I completed all of the breadth pieces, so however many there were I guess. Like... four or five? Being in a different class was definitely a disadvantage. I did not do any of the sketch book things they did or whatever. In fact, I don't even know what they did! Concentrations - I would probably say I have around ten? This is a terrible answer, I apologize.
2. Completing projects. I always come up with wonderful ideas in my mind that I get so excited about but you're lucky if I even get it down on paper. Sometimes I will get it down on paper, but I cannot seem to finish things :( I think this is mainly because I am for sure my own worst critic and I get very frustrated with my work. I need to learn to finish projects, because a majority of the time when I finish it I end up liking it much more than I do half way through!
3. Hmmm... my best memory... my best memory, oddly enough, is probably my first breadth project. This was the still life we did that seemed to take FOREVER, even though it really was not all that long for a still life. I learned that I actually liked still life's and that I am pretty good at them as well! Plus, it was a project that I completely finished, and like I said - that can be hard for me! I also just like still life's sometimes because I like how you can see the progression always happening before your eyes. There is more-so an end in sight with these kind of projects compared to others because you are drawing what is in front of you. I like the freedom of concentration pieces, but I think that having the endless ideas and thoughts in my head just overwhelms me sometimes! So, I liked this project :)
4. I think that I have learned that I actually am a good artist! I have always known that it is okay to have different styles and be good at different things than others, but I feel like I really realized this from this year. I learned that I cannot finish things easily, but I also learned that I love the feeling of completing a project, but that seems to be uncommon for me. I always feel like I could do something more, but sometimes less is more. I like simplicity, I think the simplest things can be the most beautiful! I also learned that this is something I always want to continue throughout my life in some way, and I am so glad it has shown me that  because college is right around the corner.
5. Honestly I think that the one thing that will encourage me is just a little help here and there. Sometimes I just get writer's block only in art form. I am also very forgetful, so I think helpful reminders will help me remember due dates and whatever else, plus, it will also put in my mind that I need to put aside time for my art.


I am excited for the new semester, I plan on completing more work and just focusing more time on myself and my art work!

along the hall's wall.

I have actually noticed a lot of things this week that inspire me, I'm not quite sure why so many at once! However, I noticed something prett obvious within the school that always inspires me and just makes me happy - this is the art display case. I think this just inspires me so much because I know these people who created this art and with art you get to show a little piece, or a lot, of yourself! I always stop and look in the case, even if the art hasn't changed for weeks. I like to see if I can guess who made what, and I like to see if any are similar to what I would do and if they aren't then they still in some way always make me think up new ideas in my head. As I have said in previous blogs, art is all around us. This time maybe a little more literally because it is actually in the art hallway, but in the end I love it. I love when i catch others looking into the display and when I hear others discussing pieces within it.

I can show you the world.

When I was looking for an artist for this particular blog, I wanted to find a photographer because I think that photography is probably my favorite medium overall. I saw a lot of photographers that I liked but nobody really stood out or spoke to me at the moment. I began just clicking on several links and names and trying to find whatever I could, and I clicked on a random name reading Andrew Moore. Sometimes I feel like artists have crazy or bizarre names (haha), so I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of Andrew Moore... but I soon found out I loved his work. It is awesome-his photos have so much color and every one of them tells a different story. He has been so many places such as Vietnam, Bosnia, Cuba, Russia, New York, Abu Dhabi, and more. I want to travel, I want to see more of the world, and when looking at his photos I felt like I had already seen so much more of it. The thing about Moore's photographs that I really love is that he makes the most run-down places, places that most people would fin dirty, old, and ugly, so beautiful. He makes them look like some of the most beautiful places on earth. Moore is also so great at using lighting to the picture's advantage, I want to learn to do this! I looked through everyone one of his pictures twice, some more than that-and that is a lot. I suggest looking up Andrew Moore, I think he is very inspirational and so talented. I hope he inspires you as much as he does me, with his pictures you get to see a little more of the world and how beautiful it is!

http://www.andrewlmoore.com/

Ready... Set... Design.

When I grow up... well, I guess it all begins next year. Next year i will be attending UIC and majoring in graphic design, possible double majoring in graphic design and industrial design and minoring in business. This will take four years of college and really takes the skills of creativity and what not. The sad thing is, is I am not sure exactly what i want to BE. All i know is i want it to relate to those topics. I really am considering going into advertisement and I think that is where I will end up, and I am very excited about it! However, one day I really want to own my own store, manage my own business.
Now, if we are talking what I want to be aside from what I am going to do, then I REALLY want to be a famous fashion photographer. How awesome would that be? I would definitely go to school for this to learn more than what i know about photography since i know almost nothing. I would love this career, it would be just like the ones featured on America's Next Top Model, ahhh! It would be so perfect. I would travel everywhere, see all of the latest fashions, it would be so inspirational and fun! But... it seems crazy and more of a dream:) But who knows what the future really holds!

Inspired by the Kooks

So many things seem to really inspire me. There's nature, big cities, coffee shops, colors, people, and so much more. In our last blags about what inspired us a read a couple that mentioned music. Music has always been a part of my life and it is something i am really interested and involved in, so in round two of what inspires me I think i would say that music is something so inspirational to me. Personally, i like a lot of kinds of music but my favorite two are indie and jazz. I could write a lot about music as a whole but I decided to write about one specific group I love to listen to and i couldn't even decide! There is Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, Regina Spektor, Dave Matthews Band, Michael Buble, Wolfmother, Ingrid Michaelson, Matt Hires, and the list only goes on and on... so i finally decided upon the Kooks.
If you have never heard the Kooks... LISTEN TO THEM! They are wonderful. A lot of times when i sit down to do art i listen to my iPod and I seem to listen to them a lot. I think there is a lot of reasons why this is so. One is just the feel of the music, it makes me happy. The songs are catchy and very artistic, it's not like the music you always hear on the radio. Another thing is really just their lyrics, they're so creative. I think that is something important and something that really is important in music with vocals! Not only is the wording beautiful, but so are the meanings behind. What girl doesn't like a good song about love or about how beautiful she is?! Plus, the lead singer has a wonderful voice:)
The little things like this seem to really motivate me and inspire me, they make me happy and art as well makes me happy so it only makes sense:)'

"Safety pins holding up the things
That make you mine
About your hair, you needn't care,
You look beautiful all the time."
-The Kooks

Facebook's Self Portraits

This article is so amusing to me. I love that it discussed how within the past 5 years people have made the self portrait so popular, filling hard drives and facebook pages and being updated all of the time. Although i love that more and more people are picking up their cameras and creating more art, i think that there are some downsides to this new phenomena. Because we are in control of the camera as we take pictures of ourselves, and as the article said we know our bodies and our poses and what expression we look best in, i think that we lose some of the natural beauty in these photos. If you look at numerous profile pictures of teenage girls, you will notice so many similarities. I feel like not many of these self portraits are very original or unique. The portriats show the best of pictures of these people, because after taking so many you really train yourself to take these pictures, which is why they all seem to be somewhat similar. I miss seeing natural beauty but i don't think this is only because of facbook's crazy amounts of self portraits, so i guess i can't blame it all on this! I think it is our society and it's values today. But that is a whole other topic:) Even though i don't care too much for the non-original self portraits today, i must restate that i really do like that more people are enjoying one of my favorite things, the camera:)

What Inspires Me?

There are so many things that inspire me. Everywhere i go whether it is in a classroom or traveling on vacation, i look around and constantly think "that would be an awesome picture" or "i love those colors" or something along those lines. If i had to choose one thing that really inspires me i would say probably big ctities. Something about cityscapes really inspire me so much; i love the tall buildings, the kind of worn and faded colors, i love all of the shopping and fashion. I think it is amazing to think that we built and created and designed all of it, and it is so beautiful. Another thing about the cities is all of the people. The people alone are so inspirational because of diversity and personality. I like to people watch, haha. I think it is so fascinating to see how people interact and react and even just to notice how they dress and look. In the city there are also the big billboards and signs with advertsiements which alone are art. Personally, my favorite general topic i like to create in art always seems to be nature, so I think it is kind of cool that what really inspires me  is almost kind of the opposite of that.

2010 art portfolio

I think that for art portfolio, the easiest thing to include will really be photography, simply because it's a 'faster' medium to use, but i don't want that to be why it is included, i think for me it will be easy because it is my favorite to use. Something more difficult for me personally will be actual drawings with pen and pastels and things like that. I think i just work a lot better with paint and photography and just mixing mediums as well. When reading the list i don't know if anything really surprised me, but I was just a little overwhelmed. I really just hope that I do well in this class and become a better artist as the year goes on.

Once my portfolio is finished, I'm not exactly sure what i want to do with it, but as of now i am looking into double majoring in graphic design and industrial design and minoring in business. I definitely want to include a lot of photography just because i enjoy it so much, but i also would like to make sure to kind of include a variety of ideas and mediums to show i can work with different things. I really want to work with cyanotypes and my pinhole camera, and i also want to explore the pen and ink idea more. I definitely want to try to involve art in my career, but if not i know I'll always continue to do it in the future. If i do use it for college, I've been looking into Columbia and UIC, and I am leaning towards UIC so I'm really excited to see what happens. :)