Shepard Fairey: I Obey, Do You Are you headed in the right direction? I’m talking about your career. Are you where you want to be? The truth is, real life has hit us faster than a moving train. We are now pursuing a career that we find enjoyable and profitable. Although we have each chosen our career path, some of us don’t have such a clear view of where we are headed. As students and aspiring designers, we must look at others and study what they have gone through to be successful. I, for example, look up to Shepard Fairey who in my eyes is the Andy Warhol of our generation. This man, ladies and gentlemen, has persevered to be where he is now. He is the flame that ignites my drive to preserve and succeed as well. We normally always see the front cover of a book but never really focus on reading in between the lines. Although Shepard Fairey is successful, it took a lot of perseverance to build the empire he has. Fairey is …show more content…
a successful graphic designer, illustrator and contemporary street artist who also owns the Obey Giant brand. Shepard Fairey’s Obey Giant brand consists of a clothing line and artwork made by yours truly. Making this brand successful has been a challenge for Fairey. First of all, being a street artist sometimes consists of breaking the rules. Shepard has bumped heads with the law many times. Antonio D’Ambrosio (2009) writes: “…. It was his fourteenth arrest, as Fairey still practices his public art whenever possible…When I spoke to Fairey about the arrest in Boston, he offered his customary bright and humble take on things. ‘They're saying I'm responsible for putting up all the Obama posters in Boston,’ Fairey says. ‘It truly calls into question who controls public space.’”(D'Ambrosio, A. (2009). Progressive, 73(6), 31-33.) Shepard Fairey had been arrested multiple times due to the fact that he expressed his artwork with such freedom. However, Fairey’s charges on vandalism aren’t his only problems with the law. Shepard Fairey also faced lawsuits because he used a Barack Obama photo for a project. The final product was then used as artwork for his Obey Giant brand and later popularized during Barack Obama’s presidential campaign as the “Hope” poster. As an upcoming artist, how does one move on from big complications such as these? Simple. Shepard Fairey remains persistent. As it turns out President Obama wrote a letter to show his support and this is what he wrote: “Whether on a stop sign or in a gallery, Shepard Fairey's work inspires.” (D'Ambrosio, A. (2009). Progressive, 73(6), 31-33.) President Obama obviously understands that art is precious to our society and that the location of that art, whether on a canvas or on a distorted wall, it should not be considered vandalism because it’s art. Shepard Fairey also defended himself in regards to the lawsuit. Antonio D’Ambrosio (2009) states: “Fairey, who started with a photo found on the Internet that originally included actor George Clooney sitting next to Obama at a Darfur event in Washington, responded by filing a preemptive lawsuit claiming fair use, maintaining that he transformed the image so significantly that it's altogether different from the original.” (D'Ambrosio, A. (2009). Progressive, 73(6), 31-33.) Shepard Fairey shows us that even the biggest problems can be resolved if one persists and moves forward. Just like everybody else, I sometimes find myself wanting to give up and not continue.
I’ve had my fair share of struggles, just like Shepard Fairey. Lately I have dealt with financial instability, family problems and even self-esteem issues. Because of these issues, sometimes I don’t see clearly and that is why I get my drive from Shepard Fairey. I learned from Shepard to not give up and move forward. There have been many instances in which I have applied his persistent attitude to my own. Apart from major issues like lawsuits and arrest, Shepard Fairey also had “financial struggles, failed relationships and lack of resources, [yet he] was always determined to keep the OBEY Giant project growing” (Ramos, J & America. (2014).Fusion.) I can relate to Shepard Fairey when it comes to our struggles. If he was able to move forward from lawsuits, arrests and other struggles, I can easily move forward with my career goals and my personal life. I learned that being persistent is the key to success and Shepard Fairey definitely proves that to be
true. The industry that I chose is a dog eat dog world. Designers and artists are always competing with each other for the better salary and for the better job position. How can I show that I have the same potential as other designers? What makes me special? Being persistent is a major quality that will get me to where I want to be. I plan to apply it to my daily life, as well as my school and professional life to keep a consistency. I want to be successful like Shepard Fairey. Fairey has “worked with ad agencies to produce campaigns for brands like Nike and Boost Mobile, and he’s also done posters and covers for mainstream movies, recording artists, and magazines.” (Ramos, J & America. (2014).Fusion.) To work with big giants such as Nike, Shepard Fairey must have done something right. Fairey is leaving a legacy of great work behind. I want to leave my own legacy behind and therefore I need to be persistent with my work. I decided that even though I may not be the most qualified person for a job (in regards to education and work experience), I will be the most qualified person with interpersonal skills. In the end, it’s about how we chose to handle life. We can easily give up and quit on a project for school or our career goals. We can even give up on personal relationships and personal goals. What makes us special, like Shepard Fairey, is how we move forward. If we persist and continue working hard, we will eventually get to our desired destination. Shepard Fairey is an excellent example of how if one perseveres, he/she can have their own Obey Giant.
In pursuit of the education and experience that will lead us to our chosen profession, it is important, if not vital, that we carefully choose a path that will take us where we want to go. As we journey down this path, we will most likely encounter obstacles or opportunities that will take us in different directions, possibly leaving us at the end of the trail in a place quite different from that which we set out for. Like us, both Edward Zigler and Howard Gardner set out on career paths that ended in much different places than those they anticipated, both for very different reasons.
The main theme of A Prayer for Owen Meany is religious faith -- specifically, the relationship between faith and doubt in a world in which there is no obvious evidence for the existence of God. John writes on the first page of the book that Owen Meany is the reason that he is a Christian, and ensuing story is presented as an explanation of the reason why. Though the plot of the novel is quite complicated, the explanation for Owen's effect on Johnny's faith is extremely simple; Owen's life is a miracle -- he has supernatural visions and dreams, he believes that he acts as God's instrument, and he has divine foresight of his own death -- and offers miraculous and almost undeniable evidence of God's existence. The basic thematic shape of the novel is that of a tension being lifted, rather than a tension being resolved; Johnny struggles throughout the book to resolve his religious faith with his skepticism and doubt, but at the novel's end he is not required to make a choice between the two extremes: Owen's miraculous death obviates the need to make a choice, because it offers evidence that banishes doubt. Yet Johnny remains troubled, because Owen's sacrificial death (he dies to save the lives of a group of Vietnamese children) seems painfully unfair. Johnny is left with the problem of accepting God's will. In the end, he invests more faith in Owen himself than he invests in God -- he receives two visitations from Owen beyond the grave -- and he concludes the novel by making Owen something of a Prince of Peace, asking God to allow Owen's resurrection and return to Earth.
Crazy neon lights, crowded walkways, the sweet aroma of Memphis barbeque, and the sound of soft blues and rock n roll is a taste of what Memphis’s Beale Street is made of. Memphis Tennessee is a home for exciting things to do within the surrounding metropolitan area. But first, what specifically brings civilians to Memphis? Memphis is a prime destination for tourist and residents of Memphis because of the great time, inexpensive attractions to visit, but most importantly Beale Street. Beale is a famous street located in downtown Memphis that is connected by three co-joining streets. Memphis’s Beale Street is one popular destination spot in downtown Memphis. On these streets are many tasty places to eat, local shops to visit,
Jackie Robinson overcame many struggles in life such as being included in the civil rights movement, facing discrimination, and he achieved being the first black man in major league baseball. He was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia on Hadley Ferry Road. It is a blue-collar town of about 10,000 people. Jackie Robinson became the first black player in the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Even though he achieved this major goal he still had trouble getting there. He and his siblings were raised by his single mother. Jackie attended Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College. He was a great athlete and played many sports. He played football, basketball, track, and of course baseball. He left school in 1941, worked as an athletic director and played semiprofessional football for the Honolulu Bears before being drafted to the Army in 1942. While he was in the army he became close friends with Joe Louis. The heavyweight used his popularity to protest about the delayed entry of black soldiers. Two years later he got the honor to be second lieutenant in 1943. After an accident where he refused to sit in the back of an unsegregated bus, military police arrested Robinson. A duty officer requested this and then later he requested that Jackie should be court martialed. Since this happened Jackie was not allowed to be deployed overseas to the World War II. He never saw combat during the war. Jackie left the Army with an honorable discharge.
For much of the 20th century, African-American citizens had been disenfranchised throughout the South and the entire United States, they were regarded as inferior second-class citizens. Despite efforts to integrate society, the political and economic systems were meant to continue the cycle of oppression against African-Americans, throughout the south and indirectly yet ever present in the north. These laws of segregation, otherwise knows as Jim Crow laws, applied to almost every aspect of southern American society, including sports. During this time period, African-American athletes had to resort to second class organizational leagues to play in, this included the famous baseball player Jackie Robinson. Much of this institutionalized racism
“Whenever my environment had failed to support or nourish me, I had clutched at books...” ― Richard Wright, Black Boy this is a quote from the famous Richard Wright an African American author. This quote means that no matter what was placed in his way or what he lacked that others had he hung on to what he had and did what he could. And the more he read about the world, the more he longed to see it and make a permanent break from the Jim Crow South. "I want my life to count for something," he told a friend. Richard Wright wanted to make a difference in the world and a difference he did make. Richard Wright was an important figure in American History because he stood astride the midsection of his time period as a battering ram, paving the way for many black writers who followed him, these writers were Ralph Ellison, Chester Himes, James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, John Williams. In some ways he helped change the American society.
Shirley Chisholm was a crucial figure in Black politics, and the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. She defeated civil rights leader James Farmer on November 5, 1968, and served 7 terms in the House of Representatives till 1982. Also, she was the first woman and person of color to run for President. Chisholm is a model of independence and honesty and has championed several issues including civil rights, aid for the poor, and women 's rights.
Sojourner Truth was a Civil Rights Activist, and a Women’s Rights Activist 1797-1883. Sojourner Truth was known for spontaneous speech on racial equal opportunities. Her speech “Aint I a Women? “Was given to an Ohio Women’s Rights convention in 1851. Sojourner Truth’s was a slave in New York, where she was born and raised and was sold into slavery at an early age (bio, 2016)
After reading the story “Scratch Beginnings” by Adam Shepard and watching the movie Into the Wild about Chris McCandless; leads us to often wonder who is more admirable. Both men have a pretty similar backgrounds, both white males, both left home to pursue their projects, and both came from a middle class wealthy family. Adam left his hometown with only $25 and a couple things in his bag; whereas, Chris donated the money his parents gave him and burnt what was left in his wallet. They both had graduated college before they set out on their paths and left all of it behind. Leaving their old lives, both Adam Shepard and Chris McCandless set out to accomplish certain aspects of society and both left an impact on people. Chris’s story is more to accomplish something in his life and understand what his meaning is in life. While Adam Shepard set out to accomplish a goal any person can set out to make it out of the poverty state. However, Adam Shepard journey was more admirable and impactful to society because his story is more relatable to a wide variety of people.
...ed me recognize how I have turned out the way I am and that I have the power to change my own future and I hope by taking the initiative to control my anxiety that my actions could influence another to do the same. It may not seem like much, as I am just one person in this world- but if anything, Griffin’s project has revealed that it only takes the action of one individual to change the life of another.
Helen Keller was born with the ability to hear and see, but at only nineteen months old, she contracted an illness that took that all away. She went on with her life and was a very successful woman; in fact, she became the first ever deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. This strong woman once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” This statement is very true in so many different ways. If you look around in today’s society you will see many celebrities and role models, all of whom the public look up to, who have gone through a trying experience at least one time in their lives. Both Oprah Winfrey and Robert Downey, Jr. are great examples of individuals who suffered through many trials and tribulations only to come out as stronger individuals.
Most poets know tragedy very well. They express themselves through their works, and convey intense emotions and scenes, whether the poems speak of happiness or depression. These poets, such as Edgar Allen Poe, usually have the most successful writing careers. Although critics proclaimed Henry Wadsworth Longfellow lacked the emotional tragedy and stress to become a successful poet and writer, he proved them wrong with many of his works, such as “The Song of Hiawatha” and “A Psalm of Life.”
For so many years I’ve asked myself the question, “what are you going to do with your life?” For a period of time I struggled with this question. Today, I sit staring at my computer, confronting myself, asking my subconscious “what do I want to do for the rest of my life?” Have I finally found the answer I 've been looking for, or am I under the false assumption that this is the right path for me. This semester has been the ultimate opportunity to explore my questions, doubt, issues, and concerns. I feel that by the end of this paper I will have answered all these questions, and will have made the best decision for my future.
The time to breathe before advancing further in my future projects, the difficult moments instead of discouraging me, these moments give me motivation and the necessary energy to move forward. I am optimist but realistic. My parents taught me that we live in a world that is constantly changing and to succeed we need a smart plan and the ability to adapt and adjust to the changing world environment but more importantly one need to prepare one’s self to succeed. We need discipline and above all an unshakable will to resist difficulties when they happen. “An ongoing work of art” would probably be one of the best ways to describe my life. From very early on in life, I have learn that I can be the artist of my own life through guidance and hard work, I learned that we are the architecture of our life, the artist of our own destiny through work, commitment and determination. Every route taken or not taken will somehow impact our existence and leave a trail like a shooting star in the night sky, the beauty of the trail depends entirely on the nature of our actions in life. This is the first time in my existence I have had the opportunity to write the story of my life in detail. This exercise
On April 4, 1965, Robert Downey Jr. was born in New York. At a very young age he began acting. In the 1980s he started his appearances on Saturday Night Live. Given the amazing life he was offered, he struggled trying to pursue his dreams. Although he had a great life a head of him, it was slowly deteriorating at the same time, as he struggled with the use of drugs.