Poem Analysis: The Big Idea

The Big Idea
1) The theme that I will explore for the two independent pieces, will involve the theme of simply finding who you really are. As a viewer we should see past the complications of the obstacles we face in our day-to-day lives, for our eyes should only then become fixated on the endless possibilities of the time we have left within the intersection of time and space. The viewer can than grasp each of the moments that are left, so they can imagine beyond the emptiness - alone to see a sense of self-discovery in the very center, only pondering on the isolated sense of power we hold as humans to create a new life of belonging. Also, the depiction of having a positive approach to life’s challenges is essential to explore life and work

to grow as a person. In order to be successful in life and work, I have come up with four stages that should be achieved.

Step one, discover who you truly are, which may take a lifetime. Step two, expression allows one to voice their opinions on life experiences. Step three, forgive and forget the things you have been dwelling on from your past. Your experiences may affect doing what you love as you’ll probably realize you fear those moments the most. Lastly, step four do what you love and allow yourself to hold onto your passions, in order to compose a sense of livelihood in addition to a profession. Before we have a positive attitude towards life, we must discover our inner self.
2) This idea is an autobiographical exploration, because in order to have a positive approach to life’s challenges, you must realize who you are as a person. One of the most challenging aspects in life is this concept of self. Who am I, am I what I do, where I spend my time? When I was younger, I was looking for myself in all the wrong places. I did many experimental things in my journey of

self-discovery and ultimately I realized that there are no short cuts. If you want to find out who you are, then you have to spend time with yourself. Self-discovery varies based on the individual. It occurs over a different time span. We are all the same until we can remove this symbolic cloak and become an individual. Self-discovery will happen over time, if you look for it in the right places. Moreover, when you start to voice your opinions you will explore life and work in a clear context, although you must ask yourself; why don’t people know who they are? People don’t know who they are because they don’t have a sense of self concept. Don’t do things for the sake of others, do them for yourself. Be selfish to find your true meaning. In order to start your journey, think about how people don’t take introspection of themselves; they don’t know who they are. If you don’t know who you are, how can you reach different heights in life? You need to assess yourself and find your position like a GPS system to go to a different area; to go left, right, or forward. You have to know what you will or will not put up with, and what you want in life. You have to be precise as you don’t want to wear yourself thin. Focus on what you desire - that one dream. If you want to do other things, then hey, do them. Focus on one accomplishment before you allow yourself to move forward. Know who you are, know what makes you tick. Set boundaries.
3) It is important for me to explore this idea this year, because it is hard to get past each day if you find yourself afraid of your past. This impedes your growth as a person. Throughout high school, I felt as if I was a flower; not the person observing it. I did not have an indication of what my purpose was. To rise above a flower you need to blossom. Rise above it and know that people are making the right choices for themselves. Everyone has value - find it before someone else does for you. Otherwise you will have a tough time discovering what creates a sense of contentment and the instant in your life that you realized it.

Questions on Communication
4) The first motif I will be looking at are flowers. I believe we should not overlook the things around us, we should appreciate our surroundings -something as little as a flower has meaning. “If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment” - Georgia O’Keeffe. The colours from our past will seep through the flowers, as any person’s past may seem to be hidden, although a person’s past is what made them who there are today. We must all use our strength and reach for our goals and be one with the flower in mind, we must stand above it and not to act as the flower. The second motif I will be looking at are butterflies, once touched by a human hand, they will lose its strength and pass away. As people, we should not be tackled with, we should not be captured into thinking we are as delicate as a flower or butterfly. There are obstacles we all face before reaching our goals, but we still seem to allow others to tear us down along the way. We should act strongly, even though we may think otherwise. We should "let [ourselves] dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair" - Susan Polis Schutz.
5) Some possible common interpretations of these motifs are; beauty, growth, time, life, hope, purity, new beginnings, fragile, innocence, forgiveness, vulnerability. Christianity considers the butterfly as a symbol for the soul, whereas the Chinese and other cultures symbolism of flowers, are a symbol of generosity and love when they are given away. Both of these motifs can be looked at in a very similar context, but can still seem very different.

Questions on Media
6) The media I have chosen to use for my first piece will consist of acrylic based media and prismacolor premier coloured pencils.

7) I will explore acrylic paint further by using it on a new material that I have never used before. I would like to use the acrylic paint on a very raw and natural surface as I have been interested in using this technique since the beginning of this school year. Moreover, I will be exploring the prismacolor premier coloured pencils for the first time, so I have not had the chance to ever experience what it is like to use this material or even to mix the media with acrylic paint.
8) The media stated above, is an appropriate choice for exploring the theme, this is because when using acrylic paint very loosely it appears very soft and gentle (this can also be said for the coloured pencils). I will also be using depth of values, when using both medias they will have more detail in some areas of the composition opposed to other areas. This will also be appropriate, because I will be exploring the depth of a person and their journey to

self-discovery.
9) For this independent study, I will be challenging my own personal abilities with this media to try something beyond my comfort zone. For example, I will be working on a block of wood, and using new media I have not used before and with mixing a new material with an old. I may also use some sort of staining to the piece of wood, such as, using tea bags or coffee.