Art Illiterate 6/11/2001
I'm so upset. I worked on a mural for AP Biology for the past week and a half. It was for my final project. It's really beautiful; and usually I don't praise my own work. It's a diagram of a flower. I can't really explain it without showing it to you. One of these days I will scan my art work so that everyone can see it...Anyway, when I was labeling my diagram, I wrote too close to the edge. I was supposed to leave a half inch on every side so it would have room for the frame...The frame is so huge it coveres up a half inch of every side on my picture. It's a little foolish if you ask me. Well, my teacher noticed this and asked if I could paint over the writing. The problem is, the background in pale yellow and I wrote in permanent black marker. For you artists out there, you know pale yellow paint, even if it is acrylic, does not cover permanent black marker. Then my teacher asks, "Well, can't you just erase the marker?" I just stared at him in amazement. I honestly just detest stupid questions. So he says, "Well, you can't erase it or paint over it, so that means you can't put a frame on it." I said, "Ok, no problem, it would still look good without a frame." He replies, "Well, the other two mural that my other students did both have frames, so your mural will look odd. I won't hang it up in the principal's office without a frame. I'll keep it in my office if you want."
To many of you, you're probably reading this and are like, "So what? It's a mural." Being an artist sets me apart from everyone else, especially non-artists. First, like most artists, I have extreme pride in my work. I didn't work on a two foot by three foot mural for the past week and a half so it can hang up in his dingy office. All of my friends, especially Panama, just don't understand why I'm so upset. Second, I can't stand people who are totally art illiterate. Do know know how many times I've been asked, "What's the difference between oil and acrylic?" (Oil is oil-based, acrylic is plastic based). "Why can't I use blue lettering on a dark green backgorund?" (You won't be able to see it from far away. You need to use complementary colors: purple and yellow, green and red, blue and orange are three pairs of complentary colors). "Why can't you use a pale colored paint of permanent black marker?" (C'mon people, this is just common sense).
So, my hard work was for nothing. I just wanted my artwork to be displayed in the principals' office for graduation. I wanted to show everyone that I do have talent; I'm not just this quiet little nobody. I like if when people "ooooh" and "ahhhh" over my work...I can't explain it, it's just such a rush. I'mm just so angry; so many people didn't do the final project and spent their time doing things that they wanted to do with their time. Yeah, they'll get a zero, but at least they can say it was time well-spent. I spent hours painting something I didn't want to paint to begin with. I love painting, but doing a diagram of a flower just isn't the type of painting that I normally like to do. What do I have to show for it? Nothing. Sometimes, putting out no effort at all is more beneficial.
I feel silly complaining about this, even though it's my diary. Several of my favorite diarists have to deal with unwanted pregnancies, terminal illnesses or alcoholic parents. Complaining about s stupid teacher a my mural seems slightly trite to say the least. Ah well....I Think I'll just let him grade it and then take it home with me. I'll gesso the back and paint it so that huge board won't be a total waste.
Until later
Artist
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