The Narrative unit challenged us to tell stories in multiple forms. After writing our narrative essays in English, I created many other renditions and adaptations of the story through projects in Design and Digital Media. I especially learned how to use Adobe Illustrator to create my own digital artwork.
This unit, while challenging, helped me to further understand my interests and personal strengths and weaknesses. After having a slight understanding of the basics with these applications, I had more creative freedom to express what I wanted in some ways.
Narrative Short Story
For this unit in English we were challenged to write a narrative short story. Our topic could pretty much be anything we pleased. We worked a lot on character development and plot line. We specifically focused on the “show don’t tell” aspect of narrative writing, and continued revisions focusing around this method.
Personally I have a huge interest in music as well as a lot of involvement in the jazz community through my family and friends. Therefore I chose to write a story about how music can play a role in relationships, family, occupation and healing.
To prep and visualize my story I created a plot map (as seen below) to give me an idea and guideline for my story. I also answered a character questionnaire provided by my teacher. This consisted of a series of questions that made sure I knew my character inside and out, even if the information wasn’t incorporated into my story.
After writing this story in English and making many revisions, we recorded an audio version of our stories. Aside from just recording the text, I incorporated music and sound effects to enhance the reader’s experience and guide their mood to what I wanted the story to express. These tools allowed me to create the true atmosphere that I wanted originally, and maybe even further visualize what my story really feels like. I also made an album cover for my story that I felt captured the theme. Once again converting our art into different forms and mediums is always a good challenge.
Downbeat
I fiddled with the strap on the case of my double bass. The bus was emptier than usual tonight. I didn’t mind. The emptiness left room for me to think. I wrapped the wire of my earbuds around my finger, then unraveled it over and over again. Should I go back? I contemplated for what felt like hours.
I couldn’t help but check my phone every 30 seconds or so. The image of my mother’s face kept creeping into my mind. I didn’t want to let her down again. They really need the help back at the cafe, and to make it worse this would probably spark yet another dispute with my dad about “priorities” and “honesty,” or whatever discouraging cra–
“Main and sixth!” The bus driver interrupted the spiral of scenarios stirring up in my head. Thank God he did. I slung my instrument over my shoulder, thanked the driver, and shuffled off of the bus.
You could spot Al’s from a mile away. If the moody lights and music didn’t grab you then the action and melting pot of a crowd would. The building wasn’t big per se, and in the day looked like your average restaurant and bar. But once the sun set and the slick sound of Al’s saxophone hit the air, you were in for a treat. I walked up to the tattered brick building and was greeted by a booming voice.
“Is that Calvin Tyler or did I forget to take my pills this morning?” Al walked over with a warm smile and reached out his arm to give me a hug. He stood about 6 feet tall, always had a suit and hat on. His frosty beard illuminated against his deep hickory skin. His eyes radiated a sense of depth and overwhelming kindness, and when he spoke his crow’s feet shifted with each syllable. “How’s my boy doin’? I’m glad you made it out tonight. Still no ladies, huh?” he joked. “So what tunes are you planning on blessin’ us with tonight?”
“Probably a little Ron Carter… maybe The Shadow of Your Smile?” I murmured quietly. “Ah, smooth choice. You know there might be some important people out there tonight. Well, there had better be for one of my biggest events of the year. I’m sure you’ll catch some eyes – or ears. I see you dressed to impress too.”
“Just like grandpa always taught me.”
Al took a deep breath and huffed. He fixed his stance to face me, firmly placing each hand on my shoulders and stared me in the eyes. “He’d be so proud.” He muttered under his raspy breath and patted my shoulder reassuringly.
We chatted through a few numbers until it was my turn. I was nervous, sure, but excited more than anything. The nerves didn’t really get to me as much anymore. I didn’t really know what to expect from that night’s performance. Before I knew it, the emcee was introducing me. All of a sudden I felt a buzz from my phone muffled by the opening applause waving through the audience. A call from mom.
My mind went blank, and those nerves I was talking about? Maybe I wasn’t so over them after all. I knew what I probably should have done, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity. I tapped on the glaring red decline button, straightened my tie and gently paraded up the steps and onto the stage. I reached in my front pocket and pulled out grandpa’s old saxophone reed. I held it out, kissed it, and slid it back in my pocket as I did before any show.
I replanted my feet on the worn wooden stage. The echo of my footsteps sent vibrations through the venue. Positioning my fingers on the strings, I took a deep breath, and began playing.
I don’t remember much from my gigs. I get too caught up in the music and all the blinding lights, so I couldn’t tell you how it went. It’s almost as if my ears were ringing the whole time, but I could still play the music as usual. Some people ask me if my fingers hurt after playing “like that.” I always end up explaining how all of the plucking and prodding at my instrument have caused my hands to grow calluses so thick that my sense of touch is dulled, and of course halfway through my sentence they lose interest.
All of a sudden a loud murmur enveloped the crowd. I saw heads whipping toward the back left corner of the room. Just like any performer is told, I kept playing as if nothing was happening. But soon the drummer stopped the rhythm, and the rest of the company followed accordingly. After all, the drums are the heartbeat of music. I set down my bass and tiptoed to the edge of the stage, trying to avoid appearing as a rubbernecker. That wouldn’t be professional. However, when I saw Al’s top hat sitting on the ground, my eyes traced the movement to the calamity. I dropped the act and started sprinting and weaving through the other bystanders. I dropped to my knees in front of him.
“Al? Al! Hey, hey you’re alright.” I reached down and grabbed my phone, almost dropping it through my shaky hands. I dialed 9-1-1 and explained his health conditions. Not quickly enough, I saw the glare of flashing lights through the window and soon the crowd parted like the sea.
The next thing I remembered was waking up in a chair in the corner of a hospital room. The bright glaring lights made me feel like I was in a morgue. Alone and exposed. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and tried to reorient myself. Flashes of the night before began to come back. I jumped out of my seat in panic, scanning in all directions for him. “Al!” I yelled, then quickly stepped back to reserve myself, realizing he was sitting there awake and giving me an awkward glare. “What’s gotten into you boy,” he snickered, trying to mask his pain. “You-you’re okay? You’re gonna be okay?” He took a deep breath and sighed with relief, “I’m gonna be okay.” I dove into his arms and gave him a hug. Not just a “hug because I’m supposed to” type of hug, but a genuine one. A real, long-overdue hug. I couldn’t remember the last time I had one of those. We chatted for a couple hours.
“You know, boy, I should’ve listened to you about this whole… condition. I didn’t think much of it, I mean back in my day everyone dealt with this typa thing. I really thought it didn’t matter.” It was weird. While looking down at someone who had always been my mentor, my leader, I felt chills run up through my spine. My eyes followed the aged lines on his face. All those years and still time hadn’t taught him as much as I thought.
I shot him a warm smile. “All that matters now is that you’re healthy… and you’d better learn a lesson from this one… Oh crap, is that the time? I hate to say this but I’ve gotta go. I have some… business to take care of.” We exchanged goodbyes and I began my journey to the bus.
Sitting there in that uncomfortable plastic seat, head flinging around like a bobblehead, I practiced what I would say to them when I got home. I tried using specific words or explanations but nothing felt right. I stepped off the bus and strolled home, dreading the doom that I would face when I walked through that door.
Mom dropped everything she was doing and ran over to me, embracing me tightly. “Calvin where have you been? You weren’t answering your phone.” She ran her fingers through my hair and kissed my forehead. “Mom, mom, I’m okay. Everything is gonna be okay.” She stepped back, staring me softly in the eyes.
A door creaked open, and menacing footsteps advanced towards the kitchen where I stood. He looked me up and down with his hands on his hips.
I broke the silence with a measly “can we talk?”
We sat in the living room, me on the couch and dad directly across from me where he had pulled up a chair from the kitchen table. I fidgeted nervously with the tassels on the throw pillow. He said nothing. I waited. Still, nothing.
“Dad,” He raised his brow at me, “I know that you’re – unhappy – with what I’ve been doing. I also know that this concern is out of love, but… this silent battle is just… it’s unfair. I love music and I know that once you did too. And I’m not going to just stop because you think I should. But it’s not worth fighting over. The past 24 hours has taught me that life is… unpredictable, sometimes. As much as you may feel like you have control, you really never did, and you never will. Anyway my point is, can we please get past this? Just, please.” I looked up at him. He stood and I followed. He stared me in the eyes for a few seconds. Suddenly I was bombarded with a strong hug. I gasped, reaching my arms around my dad. I had forgotten what this felt like. How he always smelled faintly of coffee beans. The way he would rub my back up and down. How I would always complain that his stubble scratched me. Now I wouldn’t trade this sandpaper embrace for anything else.
“I love you, son”
“I love you too, dad.”
“Now, what songs have you been working on that bass you’re always sneaking out your window?”
Geometric Light Cover
Cosmic Balance
I’ve always liked the relationship between the sun and moon along with the many art pieces that have been created to portray it. The conjoining of the sun and moon is believed to be representative of unity rather than conflict, as well as rebirth. For me personally it is also a reminder of peace and appreciation for the things and people around us. Also, the rotation of the sun and moon represents consistency, for (as far as we know and hope) the sun will always rise in the morning, and the moon in the evening. The reflection of light off of the sun to the moon shows how what you radiate can deeply affect the people around you. If you radiate positivity and love, it will be reflected onto others and they will reflect it as well. However, if you choose negativity and hatred, it can taint others’ light. I feel that there are stories behind the sun and the moon’s connection, whether it be one about love, balance, or any other interpretation.
This project was my first experience at Freestyle with turning my digital art into 3D art. I had to figure out which things work in 2D art, but may not in 3D. It was a challenge to visualize how each piece would fit together, but this prompted me to think in a way that I don’t have much prior experience with. It was also exciting working with new materials and technology. Overall I really enjoyed this project because while it is aesthetically pleasing and is used for decorative purposes, it also posed a new and unique challenge for us students.
Illustrator Project: Stickers
Collective Musings One
INSERT PHOTO OF STICKERS
I chose to make stickers rather than the other presented options for this project because I’ve always liked the idea of being able to stick some creativity pretty much anywhere you’d like. Plus it’s a different way to showcase and share my art. When designing these stickers I did not necessarily have a specific message or theme in mind. However there is a definite meaning to be interpreted from each one which is left up to the viewer. I wanted to convey feeling or meaning without being too direct. Overall, each one encompasses messages, ideas, or just things in general that have significance to me.
This project definitely sparked further interest of mine in terms of using Adobe Illustrator. The program has grown on me more and more with each opportunity, and the endless possibilities of this project specifically have helped me understand more of my passion in art as well as offering me new options to utilize these skills and talents. After getting the hang of Illustrator through my Narrative Creature project in design class, this gave me another chance to express my creative freedom using the new skills I’ve learned. Beyond my project, it was exciting to see the other options that we had such as glass engraving and sewn patches. It was truly shocking to see the special opportunities and options that we are provided. Ultimately, I really look forward to giving these stickers out to friends and family as memorable and one of a kind gifts.
Narrative Creature
As another branch off of our narrative short story, we created a creature to represent our main character. We chose 5 animals whose characteristics matched our characters, then took an aspect of each creature and morphed it together to create our own. Then we created a background, specifically reminiscent of our story. We were even challenged to give the creature and its species a name. This project is pretty much responsible for sparking my interest in Adobe Illustrator.
Timbre the Feranim
My story follows a 21 year old named Calvin Tyler. Although his grandfather was a great jazz musician, Calvin’s father refuses to let him pursue his career as a musician. In response, he defies his father by sneaking out to play gigs in Los Angeles. The main venue he’s around is Al’s, owned by Albert Johnson, an old friend of Calvin’s grandpa before he passed away and graciously took over, mentoring Calvin and watching over the club. Through many complications Calvin eventually realises that life is too short to hold grudges rather than mend relationships. In this specific scene, Calvin is making his way to Al’s. Rather than proudly journeying to his destination, he feels the need to hide himself from the rest of the world. He takes the backroads and alleys instead of the sidewalks which may seem scary, but to him is comfortable.
The process of creating this creature, while sometimes tedious, I found to be extremely fun. I loved using color, layers, abstract shapes, and gradients to visualize my creation. I specifically designed my creature to represent Calvin in an odd way, especially through the loud and vibrant color scheme in contrast to the background. This is to represent Calvin’s true form in comparison to his surroundings. At first glance you may never suspect that it’s him, but the characteristics are fitting. His parrot wings represent his musicality and creativity, his seahorse tail suggests how quiet he can be, the deer antlers show kindness, the lion face and mane represent how charismatic he is, and his turtle body shows honesty. Last minute I incorporated praying mantis arms to show patience. My creature is located in an alley in Los Angeles. I chose brick because I felt that it captures the feel of Calvin’s comfort zone as well as Al’s venue. My use of one-point linear perspective was integral especially when making the individual bricks properly. I added some movement by placing the vantage point off center. Finally I added lamps to make it more interesting and realistic, and to provide unique lighting. If I were to do it again I would plan more on paper first to have a true vision of what I was creating. While there is of course room to grow, I am pleased with my work on this project and look forward to using Illustrator again.
Elements of Art: Colored Pencil Activity
For this assignment we drew 2 examples of each of the elements of art with colored pencils.
