I am a terrible speaker. No matter how many times I practice, and no matter how long I stay up (though I can never manage to get past 1 o'clock) my voice shatters and my knees buckle. The whole fancy audion stage didn't quite help either. However, Lukas went before me and he had somehow managed to ease my panic. He sang a song and played his ukulele, and that made me wonder if it's not so bad after. I admired his bravery so I decided to be brave myself. As I stepped onto the stage, I glanced over at my grandma's picture. I smiled, because it felt like she was urging me to go on and begin my speech. "Everything will be over in 5 minutes," she seemed to say. I tried to hide my fear today during the TED talk by projecting my voice and reminding myself that this was just my gifted class I was talking to. To be honest, I was a little excited, even, to see what people would say about my message.
The first time I was outlining what I would be saying, I focused too much on the outline. I had A LOT of things to say about my drawings and every steps that I went through to produce them. However, I remembered that this was a "TED talk". I suddenly wanted to give a real, original message that people would ponder upon afterwards. I've done that many times while watching TED, so I thought, "Well, I'm officially a TED speaker to, so why not go for it?" My main message was for people to stop paying attention to little details, or mistakes and to look at the whole picture instead. That's what I've really gained out of this project, and wanted others to know.
To be honest, I don't even know if I said all the things I've wanted to say, or truly managed to keep them pondering. I've forgotten everything, as soon as I stepped off of the stage. The nervousness that was supposed to overcome me in the beginning decided to rush over me as the talk was over.
Now for the part that I dread so much.... SELF EVALUATION!!
I would like to give myself a 30/30 for trying really hard, yet that's not how it works in the real world. I don't know about the time range on the stage, but when I practiced, it was around 5 minutes. For visual components, I tried to keep things simple, but made sure they hit my main points as I went along. However, I didn't press the clicker enough in the beginning, so I had to shuffle through some slides, so A POINT DEDUCTION! Hmm, I think I drove the presentation, because I didn't have much visual anyway, to take away audience's attention. I thought I was being passionate about my work, because I truly love drawing and painting! However, some people have asked me if I hated painting, so I guess it seemed as if I hated drawing? So another point I guess, for not seeming passionate. (Sorry if I confused anybody. I was just mad at myself for focusing too much on little details and not looking together "as a whole". But I do love painting and drawing... just in case anyone was wondering. :D) I think I've explained my process and purpose thoroughly. And as for delivery, I'll be generous to myself by only taking off one point, because I've tried... Like I've said, I wanted to sound enthusiastic, but talking about my failures kind of stopped me from being all happy and screaming "YAY!".
So my self-evaluation grade would be 27/30. (Pretty generous, huh?)
The Ten Commandments
Some of the commandments I've successfully(?) achieved.
1. Dream Big
I dreamed big... I've tried to tell a unique message, but I'm not sure if it stayed in anyone's mind. I thought it could change the world, but it didn't change any of the students, so maybe it only works for me.
2. Show us the real you
I don't think I've ever talked about my feelings and what I went through EVER, in front of so many people. I'm always the "listener" type because I find other people's stories more interesting than mine. However, today, I shared my passions and especially my frustration. It was easy for me, since I had a lot of failures to show.
Some of the things I didn't do well...
1. Don't read your talk
I stuttered in the beginning as I stumbled with both notecards and clicker. So I had to constantly look at my notecards in the beginning. However, starting from the middle, I stopped looking at the notecards, because I've gotten used to talking in front of the scary camera and neutral-faced audience. I don't recall, but I don't think I glanced at the notecards towards the middle to the end. Yet, I still stumbled and had to look at the notecards, so I wish I could've done better.
2. Connect with people's emotions
Unlike other people, I wasn't able to make ANYONE laugh during my speech...nonetheless "cry". I wish I could blame someone for this, but it's all my doing, sadly. If I have a chance to excuse myself, I would say, "But I wanted to get my message across, and I thought I shouldn't make anyone laugh while trying to be serious with my work".
I want to say thank you to those who helped me set up my presentation, because I honestly can't even do a task of plugging my computer with the projector. I also thank everyone for complimenting my work, even though I know that you are all just being nice. I'm sure this will be in my memory forever... Today, as of Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, I now end my journey as an artist... Thank you again for staying with me until the end.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Last Posts...
I posted on these people's blogs
Anne Ryan's: http://equestri-anne.blogspot.com/
Himavath Jois's: http://introtojavaprogramming.blogspot.com
Donna Intintolo's: http://donnasgeniusproject.blogspot.com/
Anne Ryan's: http://equestri-anne.blogspot.com/
Himavath Jois's: http://introtojavaprogramming.blogspot.com
Donna Intintolo's: http://donnasgeniusproject.blogspot.com/
Week 6: The Final Project
Week 6
This is it... Today I end my journey... I'm in tears to think that I'll be having no more painting times and have excuse to sketch photos and paint instead of doing homework or something. Now that I look back on this project, I've had so much fun. It was so fun yet hard to choose what kind of photo I'll draw, and actual painting was, without a doubt, amazing. I'll tell you the end of my long yet worthwhile watercolor trip.
During spring break, I went to various places. I went to BROADWAY to watch the musical, Phantom of the Opera. I brought my sketchbook all the way to New York, hoping to get some inspiration and draw something in the midst of a busy street. However, I couldn't find anything that I thought myself capable of drawing. So without any luck, I came back home. My family friend, Hyun Ji and Charlotte came over break though, so I asked them for advice. They suggested going to Merrymead farm.
This has all of my favorite memories! I come here during Halloween season, and practically every week during the summer. They sell the most delicious ice cream and cookies. Also, this was the only "nature" place I could find near my neighborhood. So I went with Hyun Ji and Charlotte to the farm and sketched with them. My final goal was, as I've mentioned throughout the blogs, to sketch and paint on the spot. However, I admit, I could only fulfill half of my final goal. I wanted to bring water paint there, but it was just not possible to bring water bucket and watercolor paint/paint brushes along with me. Therefore, I had to just be satisfied with the fact that I can sketch something on the spot.
I believed drawing live animals onto a piece of paper would be the hardest part, yet I was sadly mistaken. Not only did I fight the continuous sharp winds, the millions of flies swarmed all around us! You might think I'm exaggerating, but I am being dead serious. While I was drawing, 13 flies flew onto the paper, and whenever I tried to shoo them away, they just died there! So theoretically, my painting is a graveyard for those annoying flies.
I finished the rest of the painting at home after taking a picture of the animals. (Because it was obvious that I won't be able to remember what I saw.)
Picture:
Drawing:
TIPS
Before I actually went to the farm and sketched the animals, I researched and read articles to learn tips on how to draw life drawings. First I learned about how to draw life drawings of a human, because even though I didn't draw any humans for my project, I thought the tips would work for drawing other life drawings as well.
The first tip I learned was to notice things. I took this tip into consideration while drawing the final project. It really helped a lot, to mentally note specific details. I noted the sizes, colors, and shapes of the animals, to help me while sketching.
The next tip that I learned was very important: slow, steady, and confident hand is better than indecisive chicken scratches. Though I had learned this, I always have a habit of scratching some lines here and there, because I think the drawing looks better. However, as you can see in the drawings, the drawing looks very unstable, and blurry. I regret not having steady lines, but it's too late now. I have to be satisfied with what I have. :)
The last tip I'm going to share is about light and the dark. The article says shadows and lights give a life-feeling to the drawing. So when I was at the farm, I tried to show the light and dark with the pencil. However, Hyun Ji told me that if I was going to watercolor paint, it is better to erase them and show the light and the dark with paint, not pencil. The reason being is when the pencil comes in contact with water, it would smear all over, causing a catastrophe. Thanks to her, I was able to stop myself from ruin my project.
Thank you everyone who posted some REALLY nice compliments on my blog. You kept me going! :)
This is it... Today I end my journey... I'm in tears to think that I'll be having no more painting times and have excuse to sketch photos and paint instead of doing homework or something. Now that I look back on this project, I've had so much fun. It was so fun yet hard to choose what kind of photo I'll draw, and actual painting was, without a doubt, amazing. I'll tell you the end of my long yet worthwhile watercolor trip.
During spring break, I went to various places. I went to BROADWAY to watch the musical, Phantom of the Opera. I brought my sketchbook all the way to New York, hoping to get some inspiration and draw something in the midst of a busy street. However, I couldn't find anything that I thought myself capable of drawing. So without any luck, I came back home. My family friend, Hyun Ji and Charlotte came over break though, so I asked them for advice. They suggested going to Merrymead farm.
 |
| My favorite ice-cream place!!! |
 |
| Please excuse my face... It was early in the morning |
I finished the rest of the painting at home after taking a picture of the animals. (Because it was obvious that I won't be able to remember what I saw.)
Picture:
Drawing:
TIPS
Before I actually went to the farm and sketched the animals, I researched and read articles to learn tips on how to draw life drawings. First I learned about how to draw life drawings of a human, because even though I didn't draw any humans for my project, I thought the tips would work for drawing other life drawings as well.
The first tip I learned was to notice things. I took this tip into consideration while drawing the final project. It really helped a lot, to mentally note specific details. I noted the sizes, colors, and shapes of the animals, to help me while sketching.
The next tip that I learned was very important: slow, steady, and confident hand is better than indecisive chicken scratches. Though I had learned this, I always have a habit of scratching some lines here and there, because I think the drawing looks better. However, as you can see in the drawings, the drawing looks very unstable, and blurry. I regret not having steady lines, but it's too late now. I have to be satisfied with what I have. :)
The last tip I'm going to share is about light and the dark. The article says shadows and lights give a life-feeling to the drawing. So when I was at the farm, I tried to show the light and dark with the pencil. However, Hyun Ji told me that if I was going to watercolor paint, it is better to erase them and show the light and the dark with paint, not pencil. The reason being is when the pencil comes in contact with water, it would smear all over, causing a catastrophe. Thanks to her, I was able to stop myself from ruin my project.
Thank you everyone who posted some REALLY nice compliments on my blog. You kept me going! :)
Works Cited
"How to Draw a Horse." How to Draw a Horse. N.p., n.d. Web <http://artyfactory.com/drawing_animals/how_to_draw_a_horse/how_to_draw_a_horse.htm>.
McJunkin, Ryan. "Top 10 Life Drawing Tips." N.p., n.d. Web. <http://ryanmcjunkin.com/top-10-life-drawing-tips/>.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Posts
I commented on...
Jenna's blog: http://jennamakesfood.blogspot.com/2013/03/dont-be-fool-eat-my-blueberry-fool.html?showComment=1364865559493#c2994053543197136622
Kara's blog: http://karaspicture.blogspot.com
and
Bryce's blog: http://brycesong.blogspot.com/
Jenna's blog: http://jennamakesfood.blogspot.com/2013/03/dont-be-fool-eat-my-blueberry-fool.html?showComment=1364865559493#c2994053543197136622
Kara's blog: http://karaspicture.blogspot.com
and
Bryce's blog: http://brycesong.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)