Final Project
My final project will have a music theme. Anything from musicians playing, to instruments, to records, or something along those lines.
Resume
Education
1994-2007: Lone Oak ISD
2007-2009: Paris Junior College (Greenville, TX)
2010-Present Texas A&M University-Commerce
Work
2004-2008 Worked at Putter's Paradise
2008- Lone Oak ISD Computer Technician Internship
2011-2011 Co-Sports Editor at the East Texan
2010-present Crossroads Communications
1994-2007: Lone Oak ISD
2007-2009: Paris Junior College (Greenville, TX)
2010-Present Texas A&M University-Commerce
Work
2004-2008 Worked at Putter's Paradise
2008- Lone Oak ISD Computer Technician Internship
2011-2011 Co-Sports Editor at the East Texan
2010-present Crossroads Communications
Interesting Article April 18
Well, it's a pretty slow day for the news, but just read an a great interview with the co-director of the Crybaby Wah-Wah pedal, featured in a ton of music. Jimi Hendrix really brought it into the mainstream and you've heard it in such iconic bands such as Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pantera, and basically everyone else. Even bands like Sly and the Family Stone used these effects. I have always wanted one of these pedals to further my creativity and to see what kind of sounds I could get with that. Even if you're not a guitarist, it's still a great read to know some of the history behind the iconic piece of hardware. There is even a documentary coming out soon on it, which I'm looking forward to.
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/cry_baby_director_the_wah-wah_pedal_is_such_an_iconic_piece_of_gear.html
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/cry_baby_director_the_wah-wah_pedal_is_such_an_iconic_piece_of_gear.html
iWeb Sites
Here's is four screenshots of some of the different ideas for the website. Since I'm kind of a comic book geek, the first one is easily my favorite.
Interesting Article March 30
This is a very interesting article focusing on how a 12-year-old astrophysics prodigy, who has already completed high school and is tutoring older classmates, is challenging some of Albert Einstein's theories of how the universe became to be. The reason he is so smart is partially due to his Asperger's Autism. At this pace, he could actually make the world a better place and scientists are already saying that he's on the right track.
For 12-year old astrophysics prodigy, the sky's the limit
For 12-year old astrophysics prodigy, the sky's the limit
Response to the film Rize
The movie starts out seeming to focus on the transformation of inner city African Americans involved in the art scene of Los Angelas from the days of the riots from the Rodney King beating until 2000. Once the movie picks up you realize it is really about Tommy the Clown, an african american man, who once dealt drugs until he went to jail and turned his life around.
Tommy the Clown inspired many inner city civilians to take control of their life in a positive way. Many people in the video stated that if it wasn't for Tommy, that they'd be in trouble and living in a negative way.
how do we define language?
Langauge can be defined by communication in any way. In this movie, everyone speaks English, but they express themselves through dance in this film. Dance can be considered a universal language, and in this film and city, it defines who these people are.
how do we define art?
Art is defined by culture. Art has many different perspectives and is perceived different by everyone depending on how and where they grew up. The dancing you see in the streets of LA would be perceived completely different than say the art from my home town of Lone Oak, Texas. People from my town would view the dancing as art, but it might not have the same level of respect or admiration that the people of LA have.
how does this movie relate to me?
This movie relates to me by the way these people are passionate about their art. I'm no clown or dancer, but I feel like I have a similar drive as the people displayed in the film about art. The people in the film, live for dancing or getting "krump". I can also relate to the younger kids in the film by wanting to find an art that makes you happy and something that drives you to be the best you can be no matter who tries to bring you down.
I will have to add at the end, I believe that there were no stereotypes in the entire movie unless you're looking at it as a blatant racist or 1900s old white man view but I was upset at the actions of the Krumpers at the end. It was a very uplifting movie and still is, but Tommy the Clown worked very hard for these kids and then the other team that lost to the clowns at the dance-off most likely were the ones who broke into Tommy's house and wrecked it. One of the Krumpers displayed a piss poor attitude after the dance competition and it's just sad to see. It's obvious that the Clowns are the more positive group. Even though the Clowns are a positive group, they aren't immune to gang violence directed at them which is evident at the end of the film.
Tommy the Clown inspired many inner city civilians to take control of their life in a positive way. Many people in the video stated that if it wasn't for Tommy, that they'd be in trouble and living in a negative way.
how do we define language?
Langauge can be defined by communication in any way. In this movie, everyone speaks English, but they express themselves through dance in this film. Dance can be considered a universal language, and in this film and city, it defines who these people are.
how do we define art?
Art is defined by culture. Art has many different perspectives and is perceived different by everyone depending on how and where they grew up. The dancing you see in the streets of LA would be perceived completely different than say the art from my home town of Lone Oak, Texas. People from my town would view the dancing as art, but it might not have the same level of respect or admiration that the people of LA have.
how does this movie relate to me?
This movie relates to me by the way these people are passionate about their art. I'm no clown or dancer, but I feel like I have a similar drive as the people displayed in the film about art. The people in the film, live for dancing or getting "krump". I can also relate to the younger kids in the film by wanting to find an art that makes you happy and something that drives you to be the best you can be no matter who tries to bring you down.
I will have to add at the end, I believe that there were no stereotypes in the entire movie unless you're looking at it as a blatant racist or 1900s old white man view but I was upset at the actions of the Krumpers at the end. It was a very uplifting movie and still is, but Tommy the Clown worked very hard for these kids and then the other team that lost to the clowns at the dance-off most likely were the ones who broke into Tommy's house and wrecked it. One of the Krumpers displayed a piss poor attitude after the dance competition and it's just sad to see. It's obvious that the Clowns are the more positive group. Even though the Clowns are a positive group, they aren't immune to gang violence directed at them which is evident at the end of the film.
Chapter 7 of Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era: Galleries, Portfolios, and Web Pages
This chapter focuses on the artist who worked hard and is self-disciplined and how an artist should try and display their work. You want to try and get your name and your work out as much as possible whether it's having your works shown in multiple galleries, setting up your own website or blog, or selling your work. Artists such as painters or photographers need to strive for professionalism to get their arts displayed in as many places because this is what modern art galleries are looking for, and looking for a large body of work to see how passionate you really are. It is important for any artists to have a portfolio where you can show someone who is interested in your work your body of work in an organized manner. Also, for artist, try and flock to the biggest cities, your hometown might not be where you can excel and will have to move and travel to be able to find business and attention.
Chapter 6 of Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era: The Color Monster
This chapter is about artists impeding their progress in their chosen field by doubting themselves or coming up with excuses. Every artists will hit a wall at some point where you're not sure how to get better or where the next step is. Figuring out what the problem is or evaluating yourself in every aspect can help get over that wall and then start being able to take major steps in improving yourself. The chapter focuses on how artists can harmonize their art with colors, but I took out of the chapter that you shouldn't make up any excuses and start working as hard as you can.
Chapter 5 of Advice for Young Artists in a Postmodern Era: Artist and Artist's Image
This chapter focuses in on grouping artists into labels based on stereotypes and on the artist's self-discipline. The author says there are many preconceived notions about artists such as they are snobs or are highly elegant. It is important to find your own individuality compared to trying to be exactly like your favorite artist. While improving in your arts at a steady pace, you will need self-discipline. It's the key to getting better. With guitar, I try and play an hour plus a day, even on days when I'm tired. I know that if I take the time to practice, I will continuously improve or come up with something I like that I might not have if I wasn't self-disciplined with that.
Chapter 4 of Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era: Tradition and the New in Current Art
Chapter 4 sums up the idea that an artist's foundation should be built from tradition, but absorbing as much new characteristics from what is current would be the most beneficial way to learn and build. The author says for the artist to help build a solid foundation learning concepts is more efficient than learning over technique, practice, and drill. He says that schools spend most of their time teaching students facts that can easily be referenced. He says schools in America generally don't help students think outside of the box and learn new ways to process information rather than remembering facts. The author says that he has three students that excelled in his class, but not by his guidance, but how they explored their field in every other way possible. This chapter should make artists want to see what worked in the past and how can they take that and make it into something original.
Chapter 3 of Advice to Young Artist in a Postmodern Era: Artists and Teachers
This chapter focuses on the importance of an artist to have a guide or teacher and accept with their trying to teach you. The author says that art cannot be taught, the teacher can help instill and show the importance of self-discipline to succeed in the artist's field of choice. The author says become aware of as many theories as you can. Just because it is something that you don't understand or agree with, you shouldn't ignore it and expand your mind as much as possible.
I was basically self-taught at the guitar, I never really had a guide or a teacher when it came to that. But I was always trying to be around musicians who are better than me or play different styles of music then I do so I can pick their brain and learn a new technique or riff. "Follow every person from whom you can learn anything" (Powys 1969, 85). I would watch hard rock guitarist growing up like Slash, for example, and was always drawn to that kind of playing style. I also liked to see how my step-dad played the banjo and while I still don't care too much for bluegrass music, I was able to pick up some techniques from him that were beneficial. So this chapter should make any artist want to surround themselves with others with more experiences or different perspectives.
I was basically self-taught at the guitar, I never really had a guide or a teacher when it came to that. But I was always trying to be around musicians who are better than me or play different styles of music then I do so I can pick their brain and learn a new technique or riff. "Follow every person from whom you can learn anything" (Powys 1969, 85). I would watch hard rock guitarist growing up like Slash, for example, and was always drawn to that kind of playing style. I also liked to see how my step-dad played the banjo and while I still don't care too much for bluegrass music, I was able to pick up some techniques from him that were beneficial. So this chapter should make any artist want to surround themselves with others with more experiences or different perspectives.
Chapter 2 of Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era: Reading and Reading Right
This chapter focuses on how reading is the best way to learn anything. It is one of the most crucial sources of information an artist or anyone can have. He talked about an artist with plenty of information and ability can achieve the Zen principal, mushin. Mushin is defined as "even in the most sudden and unexpected situations act instantly, without pausing to collect our wits, and in a manner wholly appropriate to the circumstance."(Kapleau 1980, 49-50). After reading this chapter, this was another inspiring chapter, now I want to go read some of the books on my shelf I hadn't got around to and to continue to absorb as much knowledge from as many sources as I can.
Portraits of My Family
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| There's my step-dad watching TV after work. |
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| There's my mom, who can sing really well. |
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| There's my sister, the real photographer in the family. |
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| There's are dog Tinker who's 11 years old. |
Charles Michael Reid
So two weeks ago, I missed class being out sick. Well turns out, I missed a special guest speaker, Charles Michael Reid. He is a former graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce and is an abstract artist. Really wish I hadn't been in bed sick that day. To see some of his unique works, visit his website at http://www.charlesmichaelreid.com/
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| Painting by Charles Michael Reid |
Class Trip to Cooper, TX
Wish I could have gotten more pictures but my camera died after eating that good ole root beer float in the town square.
Interesting Article March 8
Chapter 1 of Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era: Talent, Intelligence, and Art.
I got to say, the first chapter has really peaked my interest for the rest of the book. The chapter was pretty inspiring to me while at the same time making me feel guilty somewhat about how much I apply myself in certain situations such as school. While reading his advice, I was relating it to playing guitar. It's something you have to practice, practice, and practice. You can't ever think you arrived or are too good to put in the time to practice. It made me think of more creative ways I could apply what the author is talking about with art to playing guitar. The author said to improve and excel in your art focus on problem finding instead of problem solution which I thought was a very interesting way to think that's never crossed my mind. I would say the first chapter is a good motivational tool for any artists who want to make something of themselves instead of wearing a blue wal-mart vest greeting people at the front door for the next 50 years.
Interesting Article Feb. 28
This week's article is about the cyber group Anonymous backing union worker protesters in Wisconsin. The media has twisted the story, like they always do, and never focuses on the real issue. Until this article, I didn't know how invested Koch Industries were in the matter. They are doing whatever they can to make sure this bill passes so they can control Wisconsin's power plants without a public bid and buy it for any price. This is another example of corporations taking away our freedom, but with groups such as Anonymous and resources such as Wikileaks, the people can fight back and take our freedom back.
Anonymous Joins Wisconsin Protesters
Plus, here is a visualization of the connection between Koch Industries and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker? Anyone smell some corruption? Corporations shouldn't be tied in with our government. It's sad that the majority of American citizens have no idea what's going on with our government. Research people, don't just listen to the talking heads on television.
Some Important Photography Class Notes
1/125, 1/60, twice as much light, 1/30, twice as much light. Corresponding relation with apertures. 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, bigger the number, more light.
Plus, here is a visualization of the connection between Koch Industries and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker? Anyone smell some corruption? Corporations shouldn't be tied in with our government. It's sad that the majority of American citizens have no idea what's going on with our government. Research people, don't just listen to the talking heads on television.
Some Important Photography Class Notes
1/125, 1/60, twice as much light, 1/30, twice as much light. Corresponding relation with apertures. 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, bigger the number, more light.
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