After the Rain...Sunshine

“Try and fail, but don't fail to try.”
- Stephen Kaggwa

So yesterday and today have been pretty close to fabulous. We did portraits yesterday and I was very happy with my drawing of Lorenzo, our model, although my class and I decided it looks like the model and Jesus (as in the holy son of God). I'll snap a picture of it later so you can make comparisons.

Last night Elizabeth and I went to this great Greek restaurant a block from my apartment. Oddly the hummus they served us was fried to look like the fried cheese you get at Chilli's. I guess we made a face because our super gorgeous Greek waiter asked if anything was wrong. When we said we were more used to the spread, he shrugged/laughed and said that's not how they do it here. It was delicious never the less. I had a kebab for my main and Elizabeth had some gyros and some other meat--both which replenished the salt we'd sweated out that day (it is predicted to be 40C tomorrow...that over 100F!!).

Today Elizabeth and I had our Science morning--we visited the Leonardo Da Vinci museum and the History of Science museum. Embarrassed for our sector of study, we left the museums disappointed. Why is science presented so poorly? Is it some test to make sure only driven people who are slightly crazy study it? There was one interesting room at the HS museum of medical instruments...including many wax models of babies in the womb with forceps pulling them out. I mean-wow-they had ever possible position of a birth: leg first, umbilical cord twisted, arm and leg coming out, doctors arm in the womb....it was graphic never the less. They also had a brain surgery kit too. I decided those brain surgeons from that era (200 years ago) must have been literally out of their minds to do such blind surgeries....even today its a huge risk.

We rewarded ourselves for our stamina with a wonderful granita (the original slushie...it's from Sicily. They are Elizabeth's fav. She got almond flavored and I got lemon). Then we made our way to the Yellow bar, a slightly touristy pizza joint. The pizza was good, but not as fabulous as the one from three days ago. I got mine with tomatoes and buffalo mozterella. yumm

After our meal, we went our separate ways and I searched for a shady side street to paint a bicycle. I decided to do my final (7 water colored pieces, the final one as a conclusionary piece) on bikes (get excited Dad). I have two so far. I want to capture the idea of waiting and time in their shadows or perhaps include a little personalization in the wall the bikes lean against. We'll see. Marcia has been particularly taken with them, and I have really enjoyed painting them.

Which leads me to the best event of the day/week/trip......


While Marcia and I were going over my self-portrait she asked me if I had ever thought of getting a masters in fine arts (!). I know my huge smile in shock was answer enough. We chatted about what it entailed, briefly. Evidently, if you have a portfolio of work, it doesn't matter what your undergrad is in. She continually stressed the importance of the decision though. Once I go art, it's 3 years of schooling for the masters and I'd have to be okay with leaving science. I'd keep it as a "hobby" like art is now. Reading the Scientific American or well, just talking frequently with my friends, since like Liz, they are mostly science or medicine. I'm not upset I did neuroscience for the past three years, it really has taken time in science to get me where I am now.

Builds layers and character I guess, although I always wish I had someone who told me to follow it. Not someone would have said you can do it if you want, but someone like Marcia who said "she'd be excited to see what I came up with during my masters studies" It was so empowering. After being shot down by the AP board junior year, I won't lie, a little of the wind my sail died. I know it's just one person's opinion and part of me thinks I wasn't ready to come right out of high school to art school. In h/s I loved the structure: class starts here and goes to this time, tests ever week, and detailed expectations. Art school may have been too loose right out of h/s. Additionally, I've always hated the idea of specializing--probably because I hadn't found exactly what I wanted to do forever, or for a long period of time. But the fact that I keep coming back to art: oiling painting during finals week last winter quarter, taking painting classes at night when I'm at home, going to museums, taking art history classes...ect....must mean something. I don't think I want to just "be a painter" for my occupation. I don't think I'm up to that. But I'd like to think about apply it to design, photography or education....so we'll see where the next years take me.

I also wanted to thank all of you for your encouraging word with the "ciao bella"-ing. I really shouldn't be mad for someone calling me beautiful. And I wanted to write this entry as soon as possible so that you knew optimistic Jac is still in check.


Ciao!

Jacqueline

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."-Steve Jobs