Art Reflection

I grew as an artist this semester because I learn a lot techniques that I can use for the future like screen printing or using objects that I already have and putting them together as an art piece. I improve on drawing realistic objects like animals. Last year, I had a hard time drawing realistic objects like my landscape painting. I improved from that and learned a lot from my teacher.

Art is how you express yourself, and everyone does it in their own way, in their own style. I chose to write about the two following art works because I believe they have so many similarities but are done in completely different ways. For this comparison and contrast assignment the two works of art I chose to write about are called; End “Mixed Media” by: Terry Peterson,shown in the art building at Shasta College, and Forlakeph “Mixed Media in a Glass Jar” by: Gioia Fonda, also shown in the art building at Shasta College.

Art, I was planning on discussing this with you this week. With you out tending to far more important issues, I am going to include Janene in the discussion right away as this is an issue that will likely need to be discussed at her level or above and we should get the discussion started sooner rather than later.

Beauty: beauty is measured in all kinds of way some good some bad, some realistic some unrealistic. Most of it though I believe comes from within, only then can someone let go of the unrealistic self images that the world puts on guys and girls. People who have addiction problems like myself should read the story of “Beauty: When the other dancer is the self” because in the world of addiction things are very ugly and I tend to think of myself as ugly and unloved, that no one wants me around and I need substances to make me feel loved by others or accepted and that people going through these struggles can easily relate.

“The Madonna and Child with Saint Anne and an Angel” is an art piece with many different art principles and elements that are conveyed in such a manor that alludes complexity and great importance. The picture consists of four individuals- an angel, a baby, a Madonna or mother, and Saint Anne. The baby, cradled and asleep, is being overlooked by an angel, as the angel seems to be covering the child with a white blanket and much great care. Contrary to modern pictures, the angel has black wings wearing normal clothes similar to that of the mother and Saint. An important characteristic of the baby is that he has bright blonde and orange hair, a trait that resembles Jesus Christ. The mother and Saint Anne seem to be having a very important face-to-face discussion. All characters in the painting, including the child, are wearing late 15th century early 16th century clothing (rags and clothe looking material dresses) and recognizable colors.

                       In the short story “A Retrieved Reformation” by O.Henry talks about many things. For example: Honesty is the best policy, love can change everything, or even sometimes you need to sacrifice yourself so the ones you love can be happy. But something the stuck out from the story was no matter what you do, you can’t change that past. What this is basically saying is that if you do something you regret, you can’t turn back time and change what already has happened, and it’s true. What you as the reader will read next is that the author O.Henry gives explicit detail on what Jimmy Valentine has done in his past and can’t undo.

Over the course of a three week period, a group of five high school sophomores in an English class was analyzed and observed daily to study their behaviors. In total, this observation resulted in studying the group for over twenty-four hours. The group members studied will be referenced as Student A, Student B, Student C, Student D, and Student E. This particular group of students was chosen due to their noticeable personality differences as well as their significant impact on the dynamics of the class as a whole. While most of the class knew each other from prior interactions, this group was composed of four good friends and one individual new to the school. Most of the class was comfortable with each other, with the exception of the new student, Student C. These students all shared a classroom and had to share thoughts and ideas with the class, occasionally participating in discussions for a grade. As such, communication and teamwork were essential to success in the class. During the analysis, the students displayed five psychological topics: learning, teamwork, stress, motivation, and social interaction.

My contribution to this class, English 101, in my opinion is a lot. I always try my best when in the classroom and out of the classroom. While I'm in class if I'm every asked a question I always answer it to the best of my ability. Also, if I'm in class and a question is openly asked I always try to answer it. I don’t answer all the questions because I necessarily want to, I answer them because most of the other students in the class don’t. I am really proud of myself when it comes to this class. I always work hard and do my best. English by far is not my best subject but, I try my best and that’s why I believe I've done good. I turn in all of the work on time, I always read the chapters from They Say/ I Say and do well on my reading quizzes. Also, on my first paper "The Conjuring Movie Trailer" (Gladden) I think I did very good on. I feel that my thesis statement was well thought out and developed (Gladden 1). I learned so far, this semester a strong understand of rhetorical appeals and how to apply them to essays. Also, I have never missed an English class and I think this plays a huge role in my success in English 101 thus far. Coming to class everyday I'm supposed to helped me get everything turned in on time and it also helped make sure I understood everything and if I ever had a question it was answered. Between my peers and professor, I never left the classroom confused or wandering. My success in this class is not just from my hard work but also, the patience and

Throughout my entire high school career, leading up to the first trimester of this year, I dreaded the fact that I would eventually have to take an art class. For years I had lived with the impression that I was not good at art and this was because I had never really tried or attempted anything very artistic. So, once this year started and I saw 2 dimensional art was on my schedule for first trimester, I was a bit annoyed. Before taking this class I had never had any desire to ever take an art class and assumed I would not enjoy it. However, after having taken 2 dimensional art, I can confidently say my perspective and opinion towards art has completely changed for the better.

This semester my art practice has primarily focused on utilising carefully constructed language as opposed to previous stream-of-consciousness techniques, while further investigating participatory projects, and assemblage as a new form of installation. The importance of memory and the handwritten repeatedly warranted further consideration during the course of the semester and became a fundamental element in each work. Conceptually, my practice has evolved into a critique of diaristic language by exhibiting private confessions in public spaces and inviting strangers to participate in the perverse act of reading my most personal thoughts. This notion is challenged by the introduction of secondary texts and blurs the line between what is real and what is fiction within the work. These evolving elements within my practice are best observed through works warm under orange (standstill), the pitiful militia, my mother and raymond carver, and the library respectively.

When I found out the first paper assignment was going to look at the SIUE art show, I was intrigued. I have only been to one other art exhibit in my life and it was in Washington D.C. I did not have as high of expectations for the SIUE show as I did for the one in D.C., but I do enjoy looking at art so I was excited. It was a slightly different experience than my D.C adventure, but still interesting. There was not as many people and it was quieter. I liked this setting better because I was able to focus more on understanding and interpreting the art. Going into it, I figured most of the art would be either paintings on canvas or sculptures.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art displays art spanning over 5,000 years of diverse cultures and time periods. Nowadays, art is flourishing in museums galleries, events, and exhibits like the MET. Museums expose new concepts and unexpected connections thru humanities and time eras.

Student discusses specific areas for improvement identified by both the student and the instructors and sets achievable goals.

My paintings are a reflection of my personal experiences and my imagination. My aim to paint is not just to master the technique but to feel and connect with the subject.

Balancing the ethics of representational art is tricky ― if there is one idea I will definitely take away from this class, it’s that. Not only was I immensely grateful to have the opportunity to grapple with this topic this semester, but I know it’s also something I will be directly using in the upcoming months as I delve into my co-op. Through this class, I have been exposed to a variety of engaged and activist theatre that has not only piqued my interest, but also allowed me to connect back and draw new insight from my previous studies. While my coursework and, my writing in particular, have gone through ups and downs as I have struggled to balance clarity and a new fluency in activist performance language; I have remained engaged and pushed myself to do better after every project.