<p>This is my first draft of my Common App Personal Statement. First of all, I know its over 500 words, and that's why I need your insight. The essay reflects my journey towards being an artist. Give me your honest opinion. Tedious or Exhilarating? I could also use recommendations for the title. Thanks in advance.</p>
<pre><code> My eyes see the world in a unique way. My hands move in swift careful strokes attempting to imitate the structure of an object. My imagination can capture the very essence of the universe, but is bound only to reflect the magnitude of the cosmos. Colors burst from their three-dimensional manacles and manifest themselves in a maelstrom of hues. The minutiae of my subject experience enlightenment in an instance, but consequently drop into the ocean of Nirvana.
When I see a friend express happiness, I see what no one else can. The subtle crinkling of the eyes and lengthening of the lips fascinate me, whilst the structure of the face catches my attention. As I scan the eyes, I realize my friend is staring at me. I drop back into reality. In an attempt to re-establish my normality I stumble out the words Well this is awkward. Some people just dont understand my need to examine every detail, while some know all too well. I am an artist.
Drawing a few lines, adding some graphite, and making a recognizable shape doesnt make someone an artist. The field of desires and passions cant be imprisoned and classified into a simple description. An artsy person might be stereotyped as a hipster or a manga freak. However, many more attributes rather than a simple classification define the artist. A constant dissatisfaction with ones work and a yearning to capture the essence of humanity within the second dimension become aspects of the artist as he matures. For m, I find my art frustrating and a constant irritation for me, as I always view my art as substandard. My art will never achieve the status of Picasso, or illustrate the subtleties of a womens face that The Mona Lisa so easily encompasses. However, beauty is completely subjective to the viewer. You cant compare Lichtenstein with Rembrandt, or Monet with Dali. This knowledge gives me the freedom to explore various styles and genres of art.
For years, the evolution of my techniques and mediums has led to most of my drawings being thrown in the trash. I was never satisfied with my drawings of people I had drawn in the past. I never realized that all of my past artwork represented my journey as an artist. My sketches never meant much to me and would certainly never bring anyone else joy; thus I would crumple them together and throw them away. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my family would lovingly fish them out of the trash and store them in their own private collections. My mother urged me to take classes and offered to pay for lessons, but I never viewed my art as real. My cartoons, fashion illustrations, and caricatures would never benefit from an oil painting class.
Recently, my parents urged me to sell my art. After showing a local sushi restaurant my portfolio, they commissioned two pieces from me for their establishment. I was excited and eager for the chance to make some money. Originally, I thought I would receive maybe thirty bucks or less, so I was shocked when they gave me two hundred dollars and a store credit of seventy five. This opportunity opened the flood gates for me as an artist. I was eager to show all my friends my artwork, which eventually backfired. Currently, I have a list of over twenty friends who want a drawing from me. I enjoy the attention my art is receiving as its a fundamental aspect of me as a person. In the past, I had to hide that element of my personality, but now it is obvious that I am an artist.
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