~Baertari

I've recently been sucked into watching a lot of Let's Plays on youtube. People who make funny comments as they play games I've never played (but always wanted to) - who could ask for more?? Of course this means I barely got my Greek homework done...

I've watched Let's Plays for Silent Hill 3 and am now currently watching one for Prince of Persia 2. The guy who comments is hilarious. Watching Prince of Persia kind of inspired me to do some sketches, which might turn into an actual piece.

I'm also now doing a poster for my room. I was not impressed by the posters at my college's poster sale - they were all about beer and Sport Illustrated models, Bob Marley and summer movies. I tried to take a picture of the poster so far, but the camera keeps screwing up and making it all blurry. I'll do it later. I've got acrylics on my knee, my fingers and other odd places.

With all these none-art classes that I'm taking, I seem to be doing more sketching than usual.

It's been forever since I last posted my things. But there's a good reason.

I went to Canada and Minnesota this summer, camping, canoeing and admiring the jaw-dropping beauty of the land. I've done some sketches, live sketches, but as I was constantly on the move, it was difficult to do too many.

I also have done a couple since settling in to college. Yes, that's right. I am now a St. Olaf College student, otherwise known as an Ole.

The next pictures will not be terribly good quality as I have a rather simple digital camera, so there will be blurs where the pages is slightly bumpy, etc. Please bear with me, squint your eyes and image what it looks like without the blur.

I'm excited about getting settled: now I can finally star drawing again.

Hail St. Olaf!

Tomorrow is the day of my last exam. It's Physics, Paper 3 for Standard Level. I can't believe after 9:20 tomorrow morning, I will no longer be a student of my school. I mean, alright, I technically stopped when the study leave began, but with the test over it'll be, you know, official. My days will no longer be driven by my school life. I have have an entire summer to ..... well, that's the problem - what do I do?

Of course, there are the nice thoughtful things: gifts to make for the teachers you like and people to write letters to, cards to make. I'm actually a little daunted by one of my gift-projects. I'm the school's Select Choir, a delightful group of relaxed and skilled kids. I wanted (have to convince myself that I still want to do it!) to paint a small portrait that includes every Select group member, going back 5 years. This means doing some year-book research and lots of study sketches. It's not going to be easy, but worth it I think - I really do appreciate that group and it's director!

But that aside, there is a feeling of emptiness that all that going out with friends just won't cover. I really need to start regulating my day. Maybe I should start doing a sketch-a-day sort of thing. This may be a good idea, especially when I go to St. Olaf, I hear lots of the kids there do art and music. I'm thinking of maybe taking some art classes there - so I want to hit the ground running when I get there. If I like it enough, maybe I can even do a double major, with English Literature (which was always my preferred major). Gotta start stretching those art muscles!

Hey, (if anyone's actually reading this) if you're running out of ideas, here're some of my own for art projects.

- a re-interpretation of Robin Hood in illustrations
- a study of feet (maybe in charcoal)
- Alice in Wonderland, un-cartooned
- draw your best friend, only draw them wearing some sort of crazy, couture outfit of your own imagination.

I'll probably being some of these myself soon - but after I finish my exam!


And so..... to continue revision.

*fist in the air* YES! I got accepted by the college I really wanted : St. Olaf. Arctic, obscure reputation, and full of Norwegians - no, but really, they have a wicked art and music programme.

My high school exams are in less than a month!! My head may explode before then. I'm desperately trying to get my IB art exhibition set up - I literally still painting and the exhibition is this Thursday! Whenever people call my name, I look up with paint brushes sticking out of my mouth and behind my ear. What have I gotten myself into?! Looking at my classmates' art work, I've never felt so puny. Oh, well.

Anyways, hey, if anyone out there knows good tricks for drawing foliage, please let me know. I've bunches to do.

Salutations.

In light that I will soon be graduating (Taipei European School) and leaving home to enter college, I've created this Deviant Art space; my friends and family will be able to see what I'm up to (artistically) and I'll be able swap ideas with other artists. I've long been a browser of DA, but I've finally worked up the courage to sign up! Ba-dum!

::Little Personal History:
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but left for the island of Taiwan when I was six months old and have lived there since. I'm half Chinese, half American and speak both Mandarin and English. I look forward to enrolling in St. Olaf college of Minnesota (if the application process continues well!) where I want to study English Lit. and continue posting art from my snowed-in wooden hut.
: personal History Over:

I've only recently been taking art seriously - ever since I've been taking Visual Arts in the International Baccalaureate Programme. I was rather arrogant, thinking that I could sort of draw meant that I would do well. I was sorely humbled but in the hell-fire process of IB have come to make art a part of my life. I realise that I've still TONS to learn - wheee!


More later - homework to complete and things to draw!