INTRO

This unit was all about self-reflection. As seniors, must of us are focused on college applications. We spent a lot of time diving deep into who we are before we take these big steps. The core question of each project was: Who am I?

In Digital Media, we created mandalas to reflect our core values. We explored the objects, concepts, and values most important to us. In English, we wrote personal essays, ones that could be used in the Common Application for colleges. We bonded as a class as we each explored our past and how it’s shaped us for the future. In Film, we were tasked with created a short video reflecting on our lives and connecting it to general life lessons.

Each project not only resulted in really cool art, but also a stronger sense of self as I enter new phases in life.

Digital Media

Mandala

Our first project this year was a fun mandala reflections project. My teacher told us to create a playlist of our favorite songs and get to work. This being my first Adobe Illustrator project, I had to learn to navigate both the program and the Wacom pen. Technology has never been my strong suit and with such a complex program, it was important for me to learn how to slow down when doing my work. But I’m very proud of the resulting four templates.

Taking the 8 slice template, I got to work drawing my black and white designs. I began my mandala project with no real idea on what to do. How can I represent myself in only ⅛ of a circle ? So I returned to my most practiced art medium, doodles.I was very proud of my final product. After weeks of struggling with the creation of my clipping mask, I am very happy to see my doodles displayed on a pretty pizza board.

My second task was to add color to this design. When I began to plan my color scheme, I took inspiration from nature. My art already had things from nature implemented like flowers and raindrops. I started with a lot of green, which turned into the ombre around the middle; objectively my favorite part of the design. Adding color helped add depth to my mandala. I experimented with putting color both under and over my original black and white mandala. I left a lot of thinks in black and only colored them in, like my dragonflies, which I think gave it more dimension.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Photoshop Art

Pastel Photoshop Painting- Baby Brother

I started this project on my brother’s birthday so I thought it only fitting to have him be my muse. This year he turned 16, he’s taller than me and way stronger too. In this picture he’s about 1. My brother, Leo is only 18 months younger than me but I will forever see him as a little baby.

I thought this project was going to be rushed and difficult. I never had a knack for painting and although I’d never tried it digitally, I assumed it would be the same. I ended up having a lot of fun. Having a picture to copy from also helped the process a lot. I’m very proud of this picture and I think my brother looks very cute.

Watercolor Photoshop Painting- Winter Lane

I took inspiration from snow. I’m going to Lake Tahoe for Christmas and I’m most to see the snow. I love the serene feeling of walking while the snow falls and everything is covered in white.

 I’ve always liked watercolor because I love the blurry effects. I was very happy to learn I could control that in Photoshop. Despite my lack of painting skills, I had a lot of fun creating this piece.

Photo Compositions

Photoshop Surreal Art- Womanism

This project is inspired by the Senior Narrative I’m writing with Aya Iwata and Julie Park. Our story starts with a young college student, Rose, who moves from Korea to the US with her mother after her fathers infidelity. The version of the US she find herself in is very misogynistic and she struggles to find her voice. Rose has the ability to hear other people’s thoughts which increases her insecurity. A couple years later, Rose’s mother is killed in a hate crime. This implores Rose to use her power as a political science major and founds an organization for Women’s voices to finally be heard.

 My art showcases an iconic New York skyline with displays of sisterhood as well as female struggle in the clouds. Rose is seen in the forefront with everyone else’s thoughts and words filling up her mind. I wanted to display the reality of Rose’s world as well as her own struggles. Our story will explore how those two connect and push Rose out of her comfort zone.

Film

Reflections Video

This is my first ever film production and I had so much fun with the entire process. Our task was to create a 2 minute clip showcasing some part of our personality. I choose one of my favorite childhood stories to present the idea of materialism and its dangers.

ENGLISH

Personal Essay

This essay is likely the most vulnerable thing I’ve written. I choose to wrote about my parent’s very dramatic divorce and how it impacted my life. I connected my values today to experiences I’ve had in the past. I also explained the way their divorce ignited my passion for film. Despite having a hard time starting the essay, it became a great channel to explore the connections of my major life events.