Entry # 5

If I were to have a student approach me about their sexual orientation I would listen to them and give them the best support and comfort I could. I would keep it private and allow them to talk to me anytime they needed. I would help them talk to their parents and maybe even their friends. I would try to talk to them and give them confidence and show them it's ok. As for my art room I think it's important to be approachable and flexible. Showing students that expressing themselves is great and whether they are ok talking to everyone or just need someone to talk alone I think it's important to show them they are allowed to feel and think however they want. Some guidance is important for students, they want to be reassured and have someone listen to them. Sometimes thats the most important part, just listening.

Tim Barela, Gay Comic Artist. Leonard and Larry Comic Strip. (Top Left)

Laura Gilpin, Lesbian Photographer. (Top Right)

I would introduce the 2 artists and explain how some artists express themselves more openly and like to make a statement while other artists keep their sexual life private or not as well known. I would allow students to share their opinion and discuss in a respectful manner.

Entry # 4

A time that I was discriminated against was in middle school, I was basically told I couldn't play football because I was a girl. The coach said I could be on the team but he wouldnt gurantee me any playing time. I would get more playing time playing volleyball. I understand the reasoning, but it still wasn't fair, it happened to another girl too. Another time I was discriminated against was in high school, because I was on the sports teams, or even because I was an art student. I was treated differently in certain classes, and by other students. This somewhat relates to the Asian American students in chapter 4 of AAS. Some students are reluctant to be who they are or act how they normally would when they are in an uncomfortable situation. In addition to this students tend to become what they are thought of, or different so they can fit in. I think when certain students thought I was a "jock" it made me feel like thats all they thought of me. Or when students said oh you're in art, it made and still makes me feel like they think it's a joke, or not as important. As for how I handled these moments, I either let it go in one ear and out the other, or let it go. And sometimes it did bother me a lot, but I tried not to show it. I did notice there were times I changed my opinion and actions, to avoid being judged further. It just depended on the situation.

Sadly I have discriminated against people, once I have thought someone who was handicap wasn't capable of the same thought process or activities as I was. Therefore I unknowingly treated them as a child. I felt horrible, as if I belittled them and insulted their intelligence. I have also discriminated against other cultures in my home town. I'm not proud of it, but they were stereotypes. Some were true and that is what I based my judgements on. This still wasn't right of me. I should have put myself in their shoes. It could be both ways though.

I think it's important to be aware of students opinions and judgments. Understand their feelings and be willing to keep the cultures, differences, and multiple other characteristics of students open and at a level of respect and understanding. I think it's important to educate and inform students about differences to help them become well rounded and socially respectful. I think it's important to stop stereotypes and negative talk in the classroom as well as put a stop to it anytime I hear it, in the halls, etc.

Entry # 4

I think the most important components of drawing that I will include in my lessons are perspective, proportions, line, shading, texture, color. I also think I would include realistic as well as abstract practices for the students to try. I want the students to be creative and adventurous with their drawings. As for getting students to step outside their comfort zone with realistic and naturalistic drawings, I think it would be best to get the students started with patterns or shapes and then work into something to do with geometric design and then slowly lead into a drawing project that allows the students to draw freely with feelings and rythmn. It may not make sense to them but it will allow them to loosen up and realize art does not have to be recognizable or always realisitic. I think it's important to keep encouraging them and keep them comfortable with their experimenting.

As for a drawing, I can't think of my most favorite famous drawing, but I do love Chuck Close's drawings, I think they are amazing. But I'm really proud of one of my drawings I did 2 years ago. It is of 2 hands held together. I was impressed with how quickly I drew it and how well it turned out. Because it usually takes me forever to draw something of quality, in my eyes. It was a personal growth moment, and I still love the way it looks.

Entry #3

My identity was changed dramatically. I started off a small town girl, involved in everything in school. I had a good group of friends and kept out of trouble. My school was small, so like I mentioned before everyone knew each other. We had a growing diversity of cultures. The only time I went to the "city" was when we went shopping and we had to travel at least an hour to do so. When I started college I started off at a community college, which was a good transition but to me it seemed more like an extended 2 years of high school. I definitely learned a lot and was in a new mix of people. Many more cultures and groups of people I wasn’t around or exposed to before. In to town I moved to where there was crime and many more shady activities around that I wasn’t use to dealing with. I played softball there as well so being involved in an activity and also being an art student kept me pretty busy and out of trouble and danger. Something I wasn’t use to avoiding or even having much of it around to avoid. Lastly my move to the university was my big change; there were almost 10 times as many people as my high school town. This was what I called the "city" but I found out not many of the people around this town considered this a city. So for me it was a huge eye opener, I thought I experienced culture and diversity at my last college experience but this was so much more. And I knew it would be different and a learning experience, it’s just hard to prepare for something like that. When a person is use to one thing it takes a lot to adjust to the total opposite. I understand this isn’t horrible to even close to some places in the world but it is different.

As for me and dealing with these changes it has helped me immensely to experience adversity, crime, culture and social statuses. I feel like this is going to widen my perspective on teaching diverse students. I will be that much more understanding and comfortable with the cultures I have encountered. From high school there is no way I would know what to do or even where to begin. I have encountered many different personalities and types of people, some people you could trust with your life others you couldn’t trust as far as you could throw them. Some people are genuine and sweet from the moment they say hi others are rude and disrespectful. Certain people are the type to take advantage of a person or others are to shy to even say hi. It’s a crazy world but it takes all types to make it go around. I believe everyone comes into our lives for a reason and we will learn something from everyone somehow. To this day this has held it ground and been true.

I am a different person today than I was when I graduated high school, I think it comes with experience, life lessons, people we meet, maturity and locations and people we interact with. I haven’t necessarily changed who I was but more I added to the recipe of me. I started off with a plain lettuce, tomato and cheese salad, my next step in life added croutons, onion, cucumber, and according to where I am right now today I have a more plentiful salad with dressing, olives, peppers added. It’s all about what is put onto your plate, you don’t have to eat it all or like it but if you try it, that’s all that matters. Every little bit that’s added helps me become a better person, not everything is going to be good but even if it’s a trouble it is helpful, because it taught me what not to do or how not to be. So yes I am different and I have learned a bunch about myself, my friends, my planned profession, and the real world as well as people in general. It takes interaction and experience to find this out and it has changed me, sometimes not always for the good. I haven’t changed who I originally was; I’m still the small town girl at heart. I still am naive and amazed at my daily findings. It really makes you feel like a grain of sand on the beach. I have also learned it doesn’t really matter what people think of you, that’s one thing a lot of people get caught up on. Once we can get over that fact the better we can be our true selves and stop obsessing on what everyone else thinks. Of course there are some exceptions of that, such as professional meetings such as what my boss thinks of me.

As for my art work changing, yes of course it has. My opinions and interests change as I grow up, so therefore my artwork changes. I do still create art that has to do with the same interests but I have widened my perspectives on art. In high school I was afraid to try abstract art; I didn’t consider it a true skill. After exploring it in college I don’t love it but I’m not afraid of it anymore, and I understand the skill in it too. It’s fun and interesting to create as well. So, I have changed my artwork in the fact that I use difference techniques, I experiment more and am willing to try new art. I also use different subjects and interests.