Self Image

We choose how people see us. Everyday we wake up, and make impressions on people. Social medias have made these impressions far more extreme. It is crazy to me how I can judge people who I don't know based on a webpage. Although I would like to dismiss this and think that one's personality is only measurable in person, there is a lot revealed by pictures.
My project is essentially about this topic. How people choose to be perceived. Upon initial research I googled the words "Afghani Women", out of curiosity to see what was displayed. The images were heartbreaking, media only shows an oppressive violent culture. Although this is certainly an aspect of these women's lives, this is not what they are limited to. I wanted to display these women the way that perhaps, they would choose to display themselves.
This whole issue brought me to question my own self image. I have always had a distinct identity, but I hate the idea that people judge me on such a superficial level. I have come to accept this reality; that we a visual creatures and first impressions are HUGE. It is ultimately up to us how we dress or how we respond to others. This project has helped me realize that I should be careful with my image. Hopefully I can appear in a way that is respected and admired by others.

A short visit

Memorial weekend always means crazy traffic and lots of people in small Ithaca, New York. This year is particularly crazy because we have visitors as well.  My cousins all the way from Souther California are visiting. Because I haven't seen them in two years, there is a lot of catching up to do. They have been particularly interested in my art work. Having them visit, and question me about my project, gives me the opportunity to continue working on how I present my work to others. I remember that not so long ago, I was so flustered by these conversations. I now feel entirely comfortable explaining my project to others.
My family showed a lot of interest in my work, although I don't think they will purchase one.

First Stranger

I arrived home today and received a pleasant surprise! My first total stranger has asked to buy one of my pieces!!
Super excited. This was one of my major goals, I love the idea that someone I don't know will have some of my world displayed in their home.
I hope it all works out!

College Essay

As a reflect I realize that my College Essay to Bard College, really emphasizes my last blog.

  As a child, joy came naturally to me. I was most happy being in the company of others and I never got tired of playing. I liked to imagine that my friends were part of my family, and after long play dates I would often plead to sleep over, or at least stay for dinner. Although my parents have always been proud of my ability to get along with others, they have tried to encourage me to be more independent and learn to enjoy my time alone. 

When I got a little older and became more aware of social pressures, I began to realize that joy cannot be taken for granted. At school, the way you dressed or acted mattered if you wanted to fit in. Advertisements and images of stylish people suggested that happiness could be bought, or put on. Was joy a new phone with unlimited texting? Was joy another “friend” on Facebook? It seemed as if joy was determined by what our culture offered us. Such ideas seem entirely frivolous to me now as I consider the meaning of true joy.

  Recently I have begun to learn what is truly important to me. I love art. This past summer I began to create work on my own, independent from anyone’s instruction. I would sit for hours, drawing portraits that intrigued me. I was amazed by how the detail of individual features revealed character. The marks of my pencil would gradually develop into an eye that looked back at me or an ear that could listen to my stories. It was beautiful, almost as if I were making new friends. Of course there would be occasional arguments, leaving behind an unintended smudge or a splatter of undesirable color. But in the end the mistakes made these people less perfect and more real, adding uniqueness to their character, and on occasion even enhancing our relationship. 

This is not to say that I find true joy every time I draw. Making art, like learning to experience joy, is serious. Seneca once wrote: “Make this your business: learn how to feel joy . . . true joy, believe me, is a serious thing.” What I understand Seneca to mean is that experiencing joy is not a simple matter. It takes time and effort to create, or discover, something meaningful to oneself and unlike our consumer culture, there is no easy stamp of “satisfaction guaranteed.” I realize that true joy is not about our surface lives, but rather something you must actively pursue within yourself. Ultimately, discovering true joy involves a process of self-reflection and deep consideration of one’s values. For me, that discovery has included making art, which has helped me become more observant of the world, and inspired me to learn more about the lives of others. Seneca offers great insight, and in reflecting upon what he wrote, I have come to a better understanding of who I am and what brings me meaningful, lasting joy.

May 23rd Reflection

My time left at home has been bitter sweet. Despite my excitement about going to College, I have realized just how much I value my family and my childhood. I recently had a sweet conversation with my dad. He expressed similar feelings. The sadness in my parting is undeniable, but I sense he is truly confident in where I am headed.
As a child my parents would urge me to be more independent. They emphasized the importance of being content and self sufficient. My dad says that it is a parent's dream for one's child to find what they love to do by themselves. And whatever that is, it must be accepted. I started this year knowing that I love art. I think I have always know this fact, but I was too distracted by social pressures to acknowledge it.
WISE has provided a lot for me. I reason for me to step out of my comfort zone, a reason to pursue a dream. But I don't think one should need a reason to do those things. I see myself now as a far more independent person. Nobody told me what project to do, this is all me. As I leave high school I know I won't need reasons to pursue my dreams other than my own ambitions, because I know I am capable of it. That is what this process has ultimately showed me.

Ending Club

Today was one of our last club meetings. This is my second year being involved with this organization and this experiences has certainly been a highlight in my high school career. Because we are almost done, Emma and I have had to think a lot about who will continue next year. Unfortunately there aren't many candidates. We are concerned that there isn't enough passion involved for next year to be a success.
For me, being involved with this organization wasn't about getting into college, or being social. It was about me finding what I love to do. I am so thankful for having this experiences, and as a result I have become a far more caring individual.

Lecture Reflection

After watching Catherine's lecture I have come to a better understanding of what is expected during a WISE presentation.
I have done a short lecture about my experience with HTAC and my ambition to sell my work.
I realize I never posted this outline in my Blog, and in preparation for my own presentation, this outline will be a great starting place and resource:

If there is one thing that I have learned over my High School experience, it is that education is what you make of it. 

I have always loved art. (Show picture) 

This is a picture of myself at age 4 in front of a Valescas Painting at the Prado in Madrid. As a child I strived to be like that. As you can see from the picture: I loved to wear dresses. I wouldn’t just wear one dress, I would wear multiple dresses at the same time, sometimes up to 5 or 6! I only wanted to read books about Princesses, I was obsessed with Marie Antuanette, I even wrote a “book” dedicated to her at age 8. 

I had a strong identity, I loved being around people. My parents would have a hard time picking me up from play dates because I would have conniptions, I would beg them to let me stay. 

When I entered my teen-age years I lost touch of who I was in someways. I became preoccupied with facebook, popularity, boys. I was concerned about what other people thought of me. I stopped drawing. As an underclassmen I was fairly uninvolved. At school I did my assignments, but I never took advantage of the opportunities the Ithaca Community has to offer us. 

At the start of my Junior year I was inspired to become involved with the club Pennies for Peace. (Which is now called Help the Afghan Children) Two former students: Amari Suskin-Sperry and Rebecca Gilovitch began this club with the support of Mrs. Scholl, after reading the book Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortonson. This book uncovers how precious and necessary education truly is.

Only 20% of women in Afghanistan are literate.

Unfortunately their culture hasn’t promoted education as a strong option. I now think of these girls, we may have had similar dreams. But so much of our world revolves around learning. So many world issues are present just because so many can’t decipher patters that become words

Last year we raised over six thousand dollars to support a school in Afghanistan for a year. This year we have a similar goal. We also have the opportunity to do a cultural exchange with the school we are supporting. We are hoping to develop relationships with these children to promote peace and understanding.

This year I am taking WISE English, for those of you who are not familiar with this class it is, for the first semester a regular English class. In the second semester one embarks on an individual project of their choosing. I see my involvement with HTAC as an opportunity to connect my passion of art, with my love of understanding the lives of others. For my WISE project I am drawing the portraits of the girls who attend our sister school in Afghanistan and  having them displayed within the community. I hope the faces of these women may attract the attention of individuals to see the power of helping and understanding others.

I feel strongly now that art has not only helped me find my own identity, but may hopefully effect the lives of others. 

I have a short video I’d like to show you about the French graffiti artist JR, and how his global work is changing the world.

This is such a learning process for me. I think that art is so often dismissed. I believe that we are visual people. I could stand up here and read off a list of statistics about how the world is unjust. But I don’t think that would make a lasting impact. 

JR does something special he confronts the idea that we are all different. He celebrates that idea. In general our society offers us a one sided perspective of cultures. Whether we like this idea or not we are all hold misconceptions about those around us. 

For example: When I ask you to visualize what an Afghani woman looks like what do you imagine? 

Here are the first 3 Images that appeared when I googled “afghani woman” 1, 2, 3

This is true about everyone. We tend to classify people. Here in our own High School. In this room. I admit I do it all the time.

But what is important and interesting to me, is to separate those preconceived images from the figure. I want to display work that shows these girls as individuals with a true identity. Here are some of the photos we received from our sister school in Kabul:  

And this is what I am going to produce: http://de-ap.com/

So many people ask my “why are you just recreating the images?” “why don’t you just show the pictures.” Art for me, is about the learning process. Like everything else. I am constantly amazed by how the detail of individual features reveal character. The marks of my pencil will gradually develop into an eye that look back at me or an ear that can listen to my stories. It is as if I am making new friends. Of course there would be occasional arguments, leaving behind an unintended smudge or a splatter of undesirable color. But in the end the mistakes made these people less perfect and in that way - more real, adding uniqueness to their character, and on occasion even enhancing our relationship. 

I think from all of this I am really just trying to say that education isn’t just about the books you read, or the homework you have to do. It is about us discovering what really interests us. 

It’s funny because I remember being a freshman, and being embarrassing by the fact that I do well in school. Imagine that? Being embarrassed by my success? High School is such an important time. I realize that now that I’m almost done, and I truly wish that I had realized that earlier. For those of you who this interests it isn’t at all to late to make something of it. 

Maybe for you High School is all about taking risks, trying to be cool, whatever that means. 

Today, talking in front of all of you was me taking a huge risk. Speaking in front of my peers about something I am truly passionate about is terrifying. Because I really have no idea how any of you will react. But if feels so good. 

If any of you are interested I would love to have to join HTAC, or even just attend one meeting to see what we do. 

Material World

I recently read an article about possessions, and ambition. How, in this world, there are standards and these standards are relative to what our culture offers us. As a result of the lack of education in Afghanistan, women are not expected to pursue a degree, or even go to school. Their ambition too often depends on what their husbands provide.
My initial response to this reality is sadness and pity. I hardly consider my own possessions and fortune. As an exercise to fully comprehend the vast differences between myself and the women living half a world away, I wrote a short overview of my own life, and the standards I am held to.



United States: The Estes Family, At age 30, Kate Bevington had her first child, Sylvia Estes. Kate had already attended Cornell University and UC Berkeley before even thinking about having a kid. Sylvia was born in Berkeley, California where she lived in a house that her parents shared with friends. As Sylvia grew her parents started to think about sending her to school. They chose to move back to Ithaca, New York where there was a good public school system, and less traffic. They moved into a large old home (previously owned by writer Vladimir Nabokov) with 5 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining room, a study, 2 bathrooms and a sun porch. About 4 years later Kate had her second child, a blond haired boy they named Zeke. At this point Kate was working at the Johnson Art Museum and her Husband was an Art Professor at Cornell University. By the age of 17 Sylvia was a National Honor Society student, the captain of the Varsity Soccer Team, and president of the High School club HTAC. Despite her achievements she still faced the pain staking process of applying to a satisfactory college, that could (without financial aid) cost up to $50,000’s a year. The Estes Family would not like to disclose a list of possessions, out of sheer embarrassment, even though David Estes is a "minimalist".

Reflection Questions

Through this project I have been able able to reflect on how fortunate I am, but also realize how many other world issues there are.
Today during my mentor meeting, Mrs. Augustine asked me if I will continue to work with HTAC next year. My initial response was yes, without a doubt. But I now realize that I am not entirely sure I will. I think education in Afghanistan is crucial, but on a global level there are so many causes I feel need to be addressed. As I enter the Human Rights field I hope to have a background in countries around the world. How does the lack of education in Afghanistan compare to other places? Are there the same limiting factors?
I believe that by pursuing these questions I may come to a better understanding of the conditions in Afghanistan, and subsequently in the whole world.

Publicizing

How does one sell work? I have made flyers with information, told people about my display, and encouraged my cause. But to date, I have sold less than half of my pieces. People are so encouraging and enthusiastic about my project. I've only heard positive feedback.
Maybe I priced them too high? If I don't sell them all at Gimme I may try to have them on display elsewhere, or at least continue to promote their existence.
I have been reflecting a lot on my work, and trying to think of ways in which I may improve in the future. I still have some hopeful opportunities, because Cornell Graduation is so soon, there will be lots of visitors  (hopefully willing to spend money) in town. I may ask family friends who are professors to promote this cause.
I hope I can sell them!!!

Selling Work

I never really thought about how to sell work when I was making it. I guess I sorta thought people would see them, and automatically want to contribute to this cause. As of now, I have sold 3 of the 12. Even though I wish I could say more have sold, this is all so new to me.
I admit, I am nervous I won't be able to sell them all. I have thought about this a lot, and I realize that there have been times where I have not contributed to causes that I felt sincerely interested in. Buying art is not common. I don't think I have ever purchased anyone's displayed work, and here I am, moping about the fact that others haven't spent their money on my work.
I will continue to advocate for my cause. But from now on, whatever amount I sell, I will be proud of.

May 6th Event

The event went very well! We raised an estimation of about $2,000! I was so nervous that his event wouldn't bring the revenue we hoped, but not only did it bring money, it also brought awareness. At the event I had flyers and pictures of the work I have displayed at Gimme. A lot of people looked at these pictures, and said they would love to check out my work.
Even though this event was not initially apart of my project, it has benefitted my project immensely.
It is the awareness of our cause that may enable us to make a difference.
We sold a lot of HTAC t-shirts as well. I love the idea of people outside of our club wearing this shirts, showing their support.

Mentor Meeting 5/3

During my last mentor meeting with Ms. Augustine we talked more about what I can do to better my project. I have realized that I haven't been up to par with my journal entries. In the past, in preparation to my show, I felt like my journals were repetitive. Now that I am done with my work, I have been able to reflect about my project much more.
My goal is to catch up with journals. Making them meaningful, and full of contents.

Event, May 5th

Tomorrow is our Club's big event. I am extremely nervous, mostly because I will have microphone duties.  I have been rehearsing what I will say over in my head, but actually speaking in fount of people is a different story. At our event we will be selling t-shirts and having a silent art action. Several local artists have been very generous with donating their work. There will be a minimum bid on each piece. I really hope that we are successful in selling the work! We will also have information out about HTAC and my WISE Project. I will treat my short presentation as a way to better prepare myself for my end presentation in class.
At the event we will be serving tea and pastries. Hopefully we will have a good audience. This will be great publicity. Fingers crossed.

Work is Up!

As of Wednesday May 2nd, my work is up in Gimme Coffee! I am so relieved and excited. I don't think that the fact the my work is now on display has fully sunk in. I am beyond excited, and in someways really proud of myself. This is something I've always wanted to do.
Three portraits have already been bought (although only by friends and family). I can't wait for someone, who I don't know, to buy my work. I really hope that happens!
The actual process of putting the work up was a great learning experience. I had to make sure all the portraits were on the same level. My dad and I figured out a good system. It was a bit difficult because when we were putting up the work, there were customers enjoying their coffee and doing work. We had to climb on their tables. It was a little embarrassing.
It has all been such a great learning experience.

Frames

Today I framed all my pieces. This was very tedious work, but the end product is definitely worth it. The frames are 11/14, with an inch of white matting around the drawing. I am thrilled to see how great they look together. I never knew how many steps there were to framing work! It is especially frustrating when you have them framed, and there is a big dust particle under the glass.
I am now trying to decide what order to put them in. The drawings will be going up tomorrow, and I 'm so excited to see what they look like in the space. My biggest concern is that the space is so large that I should have made 2 more. But my dad speaks reassuring words.
My short statement will be displayed as well, is posted on the website that I shared in my previous blog.

A Meeting

Today I had a very positive interaction with my AP art teacher, Mrs. Spence. Because I am new to selling my art I wanted to get professional advice. After talking to her I gave changed my goal in someways. I now hope to create 12 pieces all 9/12. Even though this will be a challenge I hope that her insight will pay off.

March 17th

Yesterday I went down to Gimme to ask the director of art displays about my work. Much to my disappointment Gimme (on Cayuga Street) is booked until August. Although this was discouraging, Mimi informed me that the State Street Gimme (which is a much bigger space) usually books two artists a month, and I may be able to display my work there.
I have contacted the woman in charge, but she is on vacation until the 19th.
I will continue to wait, and hope for this all to work out.