NOTE: All soundtracks as shown are fan-made by max05233157~ 

Just something I thought you should all listen to before we hit off Spring Break. Exams are finally over, and I just got my Japanese exam score back!!! >:3 I am an officially "A" student in that class ;__; I'm just a little worried about what I might've gotten in that Art History (Prehistoric) exam I took yesterday (although I AM confident that I got at least a "B" there).


I have officially picked out a path that I am willing to do almost anything for: Art. Now, I just wonder how far I can get with the motivation and hard work alone. I am currently working on a 36" X 48" canvas, using a picture that I took last spring. It's turning out pretty good, but I have "failed" myself recently by accidentally putting the wrong color in certain areas. *sighs* Frustrating...

If people would like to know what I have learned from this whole school year so far, it is...

1. Take risks. You never know what might happen.  I mean, you don't know at all unless you try.  I'm not talking about doing stupid stuffs like drugs or alcohol >.> One of the things I had to accept was that when you take risks in Art, you can do really awesome things--make awesome things that you wouldn't have done or accomplished if there was no risk involved.  Make smart risks.

2. Trust yourself.  Not that I am saying that everything you do or think is right.  Another lesson I learned in my Drawing class is that as an artist--and even as just a normal person--you have trust your instincts, intuition, yourself.  If your intuition was wrong, then, it's wrong.  If something doesn't feel right, it's probably that: it's not right.  With all the dramas exploding everywhere this past year, I had some difficulties in learning to trust myself again.  It took guts, but I did it.  Trust yourself.  You may know yourself even more than anyone else could--and if you're confused about yourself, ask those around you.

3. Conquer your Fears.  Sure, by now, you should know this.  It is easier said than done.  As an Art student, I had to conquer my Fears when applying that into drawing and painting.  Conquering your fears lead to taking risks and even trusting yourself.

4. Be open-minded.  If I thought I was "already open-minded", I was wrong.  Women Studies and Art classes in one semester? Stressful... I'm still a little "iffy" about the WS class, but I admit that I saw aspects of life that I didn't see before because of it.  Being open-minded means going outside of your comfort zone at according to your own pace.  No rush.  It takes time.  You feel uncomfortable--sort of like walking alone in a town you've never been in or a new mall or an anime con.  But eventually, as you start interacting with the subject, you'll get used to it.  Be open-minded.

5. Be opened to others' critical feedbacks.  Whether the problem is about you or your art pieces, it's always good to have critical feedbacks from peers.  For me, it helps me become a better artist--knowing what I need to work on, knowing my own strengths, and what's wrong with the piece D:  Sure, it can sting a little or make you cry--but be strong, suck it up, and be ready to take on the verbal opinions of others.  These kind of feedbacks are supposed to help you, and if they're not, you're surrounding yourself with the wrong people.

-your Yoko-chan