The Dryness and the Rain

A fish swims through the sea,

while the sea is in a certain sense

contained within the fish!

Ah, what am I to think

of what the writing of a thousand lifetimes

could not explain

if all the forest trees were pens

and all the oceans ink?

Inspired.

I haven’t posted in a while because our internet in Auburn is awful. Charter truly fails. It’s kind of ok though, because I’ve been reading and sketching more. Right now I’m working on This Side Of Paradise, The Importance Of Being Earnest, and My Utmost For His Highest. I just finished the book Mr. Smith gave me for graduation, I Dare You by William Danforth. Although I don’t agree with everything he presents, his book contained some very good advice that I do intend on following. I’m also working on two projects, a contemporary approach to Naturalism drawing based on the Audubon works and a plaster sculpture for 3D called “Opposites Attract” that I hope will turn out really well.

So far my Lenten resolution is going really well. I’ve eaten no potatoes and I’ve made several new friends in the art department. ;) All of the people in my classes are people that I’ll be spending time with for the next 2-3 years, and I’m glad we all get along so well. There are four other friendships in particular that I’m really happy about as well: Anna, Miranda, Jenny, and Christiaan. Last week these fine people, also known as the Tasman String Quartet, came to our drawing class for collaborative work. They are incredibly talented musicians, and if you ever have the chance to see them perform, definitely do it. They really liked the artwork I made that day, which made me feel so honored. I was even more flattered when they asked to see more of the work I’ve done. They have a concert on Monday night, and I definitely plan to be there and afterward spend some time with them.

Last night I went to a talk of Marc English, a Designer, which was amazing. He spoke for three hours but I wish he could’ve gone on for many more. He shared several tips and secrets, which was really nice of him. He was honest, brutal, spontaneous, hilarious, and inspiring. He is a man who draws his inspiration from Lawrence of Arabia, David Byrne, Africa, Dirty Harry, Casablanca, Yoko Ono, traveling, and his family, among other things. He said that as Designers, we must always be explorers. Design is not just about being able to tweak things with Photoshop. It’s about living. Life experiences are inspiration. Let everything in your life be a creative influence. Everything that he said took away any doubts that I had about being a Designer (yes, that is designer with a capital “D”, there is a difference). Here are some of the ideas he shared:

“Fortune is not measured in money, it’s experiences.”

“Design things to be stolen.”

“It’s ok to reach out to people who know a little bit more than you.”

“Go somewhere nobody else does. You get perspective, you see where you came from.”

“Rhythm is tough to imitate.”

“Inspired is the adult word for cool.”

 “Design, it’s just a job, The things that are important in your life, like family and friends, are what really matter.”

“Communication + Community + Commerce = Culture"

 Environmental zones: dead/home – comfort – stretch – panic. "Sometimes you have to get outside your comfort zones to create good design."

Marc’s Four Secrets of Success:

1.     Continued excellence – love, desire, and curiosity

2.     Gratitude – we didn’t get where we are by ourselves

3.     Giving back – from those who have much, much is expected

4.     Love – if you don’t have it, nothing else matters

 

“A man has to know his limitations.“ – Dirty Harry

Thoughts of a snowy Sunday afternoon.

The Rebel's Guide To Joy in Loneliness

This is a great sermon of Mark Driscoll's that deals with things that I think about pretty regularly since my closest friends live in so many different places. A lot of the examples he gives about meeting new people are things I've experienced, especially since moving off to college. I think his point about friendship and proximity/affinity is brilliant; people do tend to make shallow acquaintances a lot of the time. To have a meaningful relationship with a good, Christian friend based upon the teachings and grace of Jesus is a "gospel partnership," which is a blessing in a person's life. I am grateful to have this kind of relationship with a small number of my friends that I still keep in touch with, but don't feel this way about the friendships I've made at college so far. Hopefully some of these friendships will grow into gospel partnerships as well. 

I'm giving up potatoes (and everything they can be) for Lent. I'm also attempting to be more open with people, which is going to be quite a challenge. Wish me luck.