...and I like what I do.
Recently, I was in my studio arts guest lecture and Mike Whiting was the visiting guest artist. He does mostly sculpture and painting. And I really liked him! The MOA here has some of his sculptures on exhibit right now and I think they are a great addition to the sculpture garden. I definitely admire them every Tuesday and Thursday on my way to art history.
Mike told us that his style was greatly influenced by old, over pixelated video games (like Atari games and Pac-Man), the Broadway Boogie-Woogie painting by Piet Mondrian, and old paint on old cars. He showed us a lot of pictures of his sculpture, his public works projects and his paintings.
I really liked these:
14 lenses.
RiNo Rhino.
Pinky and Mr Green.
And that is how he makes a living! Making big, over pixelated pictures and statues! I loved it! And Mike loves it too. You could just tell. And I appreciate that even more than his work.
At the end of these lectures, we have the opportunity to ask any questions if we have them. And one lady got the microphone and asked Mike something like this, "So, you like Pac-Man and Atari and steel and that's just what you like so that's what you make?" (And the way she said it just made it sound like she didn't approve. As if she thought those were silly reasons to express himself and that he should have more profound influences/inspirations/meanings. I thought that was kind of rude.) But Mike handled it very well. He pretty much just said, "Yup." haha
And I really liked that! Why shouldn't he make/do stuff that he likes?? That is what makes him happy!
Which got me thinking... about my life. haha I can't TELL you the number of times people have asked me what in the world I'm going to do with an art degree in the same kind of tone as that lady. I always reply cheerfully and give them a nice, sturdy answer: "Well, I'm going to get my teaching license and maybe grad school...blah blah blah...", but inside I'm thinking, "I'm going to do what I want with it! And be happy all the rest of my days!"
**Disclaimer: Usually when people ask me what I'm going to do with my art degree, I don't feel that they are asking in that tone. Don't worry. All of you out there who are reading this, (which is probably no one these days) I am not talking about you! I love you and I'm SO grateful for your support!! Thanks!
One such occasion, Thanksgiving day. 2011. My missionary days. The bishop's family invited us and a few other families over to share their lovely dinner with them! One couple in the ward started asking us all of the usual missionary questions and when I told them that I was an art major and then told them of my plans to get my teaching license and work with kids, they laughed (to themselves) and said to me, "I hope you like cutting up construction paper and glitter!"
Kind of hurt my feelings. I know it shouldn't have, but I'm sure my family members can remember that next week's email/rant about it and my views of art and children's creativity and imagination and so on. I guess I just feel strongly about it....
So, yes. I am an art major. And I will do art the rest of my life, and see where it takes me! Who knows where? I don't. But I know it will be great! Hard, but great.
I'm not going to make a hefty salary. I KNOW. But I'm also not going to sit at a desk from 9-5, staring at a computer screen, wearing uncomfortable business casual. (And I know that that is an overgeneralization, not all jobs are like that. But a lot of them are...)
I do what I want and what I feel is right for me. And I am happy! And I am very grateful for that.
Thanks, Mike, for helping me come to that realization, again.
