I Am Too Anti Social

There were dozens of second cousins running and playing in the backyard having the time of our lives, while the first cousins and aunts and uncles caught up with each other under the shade of the two giant elms, I would routinely duck into the house to see what Uncle Charlie had been working on. He would often find me looking at his art that hung in the hall and living room and he would so articulately tell me about each of the works. Charlie was so eloquent in sharing with his visions and methods with me that he soon became my mentor in all things spiritual and artistic. I so enjoyed being around him at a young age and looked forward to seeing one painting after another. Charlie was always so caring in the way he would explained what his thoughts were about the subject and how he the painter sees regarding the light and tonality of the work. Charlie spoke of experiments with painting techniques. He spoke of weaving strokes of color tones in creating subtle overall image of the subject. I recall a painting of a young boy who appeared to be singing a popular song of the time. “Red Roses” trying to capture the essence of sound in the portrait. We listened to the song and gazed at the portrait. Yes, it worked to my young

“This is where you can find your soul, if you dare.” (Anderson, pg 10) This belief comes from the mind of the Melinda, the progantists, art teacher, Mr. Freeman. Art is truly a door to the mind of an individual, showing things that people aren’t able to say. It shows through images and colors what many people aren’t able to express in words, events and thoughts speaking through the medium. Art is growing as a use of therapy to heal and tell. Psychologists analyze their patients art at a psychological level, interpreting the image into words. One of the theories in art therapy, which is seen throughout “Speak”, is the idea that unconscious thoughts are expressed in an image. (Irvings)These images then can be explained rationally. Melinda’s three major art images, the half dead trees, turkey bone, and cubism represent this theory.

As an individual who’s been drawing and painting since before she could even hold a pen – apparently, I used to spill my grandma’s tea and make shapes with it – art has always been my favorite pastime. It’s tranquil and relaxing, and mixing paints is the most satisfying experience. Thus, it’s no wonder that the activity that I’m most invested in is art.

Throughout my early teen years, I was exposed to different mediums of art and discovered that I could express myself through more channels than just paper. Although Barry found comfort in her 11 x 17 newsprint and some paint, I was able to focus my energy on making music and taking photographs. Without my art teachers, I wouldn’t have the expressive outlet I do today. My childhood was not filled with unhappiness as Lynda Barry’s was, but from both backgrounds, we found a warmth from the exposure of art that the educational system gave to us.

The more I observe, the more I understand who I am. I come from a small town in a very cold part of the world, where very few exciting events occur. This means, I have to work extra hard to become an artist. I remember having my neighbor say, “You aren’t an artist until I buy a painting from you,” and she did. I never wanted the money, but I did enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that what I create makes others happy. So many people in town encourage me and support me with my dreams, and all I do in return is help them back in return. When people need a little sunshine on gray, winter days, I am there to lend them my happiness. That is why I am able to succeed. When failure strikes his wrath upon me, I learn from the mistakes rather be held back –being optimistic allows me to grow much quicker than if I were to be

Creativity and art have been a significant parts of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was little and we visited my Grandma Carol in the summers, my favorite thing to do with her was make art. She taught me about so many different media, such as: acrylics, oil pastels, and the ink press. Sometimes, I would bring my sketchbook from home and she would help me set up art shows around her house. I would sell my art for a few dollars each, and then use the little bit of money I earned to buy more art supplies. As she introduced me to more artistic styles and mediums in the

Her self expression through painting is used as an outlet for her expression as the new individual she has grown to be.

It was my freshman year of high school when I took Drawing A; I quickly learned that I had a skill that I had previously ignored and began embracing it. Sophomore year, though, was when I truly started using my art. It was during this year that I received a 4 on my AP-Studio Art portfolio, and won four awards at Scholastic Art and Writing in photography. Art gave me a feeling of accomplishment that I didn’t usually get in the rest of my academics, so I always tried my

The pencil liberates my stresses and sorrows. Bare and unimpeded, my mind is able to isolate itself from anything that was happening in my life. At my art table, which is merely an escape from reality, my curiosity is able to wander. Within this room, five blank canvas's look in on me as I become a mold of my imagination. A step inside my world develops into a sea of color and exploration. The vibrancy of the walls resonates throughout. Over the years, my room has served as my oasis. It’s my escape from monotonous and mundane routines. It’s my exploration of another side of me. I observe such works of art almost as much as I create. Taking notice of my classmates’ innovations and inspired by their creativity, my paintbrush begins to alleviate stress. I strive to produce pieces others will appreciate, but often find myself to be the true admirer. My pride, in this world, is driven simply by my own curiosity to express myself. I credit this side of me as the “passion” that supplements my insane drive for success. This passion has sparked critical thinking in me as well as how I see failure. Life is a blank canvas and you can truly draw whatever you want, and if you fail, you start over and don’t make that same mistake again! Hard work takes ideas quite far, but true success is derived from ingenuity and the generation of

I believe expressing one’s self through art soothes the mind and helps relieve built-up

Artists often paint as a way to make money on the side or as an enjoyable activity on a rainy day. However, artists like Kendra Baird use it for a much more powerful purpose. Baird states, ¨Each painting has a personal meaning to me. Sometimes it's obvious; sometimes it's buried within what simple elements represent to me. My subjects can be as simple as a few birds perched on a tree branch, or as complex as a woman losing her identity in the struggles of life.¨ Many of us, throughout our lives, blindly follow those in front of us--never stopping to think about those around or behind us, or experiences that have led us to the point in our lives where we stand now. This painting entitled, “Offering Truth”, by Kendra Baird illustrates the feeling

Losing family members is a common dilemma us humans have to experience during our lifetime and it can sometimes cause severe emotional problems. Many painters have used art as a getaway from life and all its difficulties we must go through have inspired them to create art pieces influenced by depression. Although his art work is quite extravagant in many ways, "he claims he is 'self taught', ignoring the fact of him receiving little advice from two established Academic painters, Felix Auguste- Clement and Jean- Leon Gerome." (2).

Good art allows me to flee the realms of reality. In my mind's limitless consciousness, I can escape the mundanity of everyday life. It opens a door in my head to a world only limited by my imagination. I am no more a slave to gravity, chained down on the earth when I am reading. I can be a bird and soar high above the clouds, or be a fish and swim deep down in the darkest depths of the ocean. I am there, I am that person, and everything else around me regardless of what it is, fades away. Sometimes these people are the one's I'd like to be but sometimes I encounter nefarious characters I wholly condemn. I am able to feel the emotions that the artist intends for me to feel. However, it is not merely reading or listening, but understanding

Art is a way where I can be right no matter what anyone else thinks. Throughout school I have fell out with my friends, argued, and had some difficult times. Rather than shouting and screaming about my problematic life, I picked a paint brush up. Two years ago I fallen out with most of my friends I then had became too scared to come to school and face people. I had transformed into a hedgehog in hibernation. When I found the courage to come to school, it had turned into me hiding in the art department every break and lunch. Hiding away from people with my

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.