What Is Art?

 

Hello everyone,
So I am a very artsy person. I love painting, drawing, photography, and really anything that has to do with creativity. I find that this really helps me unwind at the end of a day or when I'm even feeling stressed about school. One of the things that I appreciate about art, is that simplicity is what makes beauty. I recently visited the Modern Art Museum in San Francisco, and there was a section on Clyfford Still (my favorite painter!) and I saw this amazing painting of his. The texture, color, everything, was beautiful about it! One of the things that I can't stand about people, is when they say "I could of done that with my eyes closed!" or "My three year old could of done that!". This really upsets me, because, I find that it does not depend on the skill factor of a painting that makes it good, but how it makes you feel. If it's visually pleasing, and makes you think, then that's what makes a fantastic piece of art.

                                                                       Love the people and eat the squashes,
                                                                                           -Emily

(cousin in art museum, picture by me, painting by Clyfford Still)

Why students should blog & "Normalness"

Hello everyone!
So having just started this blog for a class at school, we had to read this article on why students should blog:
http://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/20-reasons-why-students-should-blog/
I found this article to be well written and it brought up some good points. It is very true that our society is being very influenced by technology, such as the Internet, and our generation does need to have the skills required for the Internet to get their voice out, and make a change.

On a different topic: I noticed that in this article, they addressed the majority of students as: "normal" students (rather than "gifted", "special ed", or "visual"). I have always found the word "normal" to be almost insulting. I am sure that this article just meant to address students who don't have special needs, but I have thought of this topic a lot.
I have experienced it most in elementary school. I remember that our teachers would always pull out time to have the TAG kids (talented and gifted) to join a separate class. Personally, I felt that this was offencive. Everyone is talented and gifted in their own way, weather it be in the arts, academics, or any other special skills that they might have. I find that society is overusing the label "normal". This always brings up a question for me: what is considered normal? I think that people try to be "normal" so that they will fit in. But really! What does it mean to "fit in"?? If people are basing themselves on others, they are truly not being themselves.If no two people are the same, then who are we to base "normalness" on if someone is like the majority of the population? Because no one IS like the majority of the population! Sure, people can have similar beliefs or opinions, but no one else will ever have YOUR uniqueness. So please people, be yourselves. You will be loved no matter who you are.

Love the people and eat the squashes,
-Emily

Astronomic Squash... WHAT?!

Hello Squashes o' the world!
I created this blog to share thoughts, ideas, art, and videos.
Now I know that the title doesn't make much sense, so what does it mean, you ask!?! Well nothing really. I guess that when I hear: "Austronomic Squash", I think of my love for science, and all the awesome things that happen on this earth, and even off it. I also think of how much I like nature, and... squashes...
(plus it sounds cool)
Anyways I hope that all you people enjoy this blog, cause I will be putting ever so much effort into it.

Love the people and eat the squashes,
-Emily