Jay's Picture---Abdul's Thoughts

Jay, to start off, I would like to tell you that your picture looks amazing.  Even with such a simple drawing style, you produced excellent results.  What probably makes your picture so great is the intrigue and messages behind it.  Did you think about your picture in that way?  I heard that your class didn’t get to go to the actual Art Center, but rather did the program in class.  Have you been to the actual center?  If so, how do you find doing the program at the center, vs. doing it in class?  Is it better, or worse?  Personally, one thing I don’t like about going to the center is the commute because by the time we arrive, there is only a little bit of time left; however, what makes up for it is the gallery and set-up/environment of the center.

In your picture I can see/find many different messages. Is it the same for you?  One message I see is about (similar to this week’s bullying presentation), “The power of one.”  Everyone has the power to make a difference because we all have the power of one.  That is evident here.  In your picture, it seems as though the flower in the foreground is singing while all the flowers in the background are dancing (because of the way some are slightly tilted and the stems look like arms).  The flower in the foreground used to be an average flower, but used its “Power of one” and is now a leader, almost making everyone else follow him, rather than just being normal.  However, he is not doing it by using force, but is rather using his abilities and voice to do it.  The one plant changed everyone around it.  It goes to show you that you don’t just need to be an average Joe; use your power of one and shine.

One more message is that you don’t need to blend in with the rest, you are unique and you need to show that uniqueness. I see this because while all the other plants in the background are being “ordinary Joes,” the one in the centre is showing his true identity and is being himself.  He isn’t following the crowd, but is rather being who he is and because of that, all attention is on him, not on the people who just blend in.  After all, “Why be the same?”

Another message I see is that music, and the arts in general are a powerful thing.  This can be seen when the foreground flower is making music, while everyone else is following him (dancing).  You don’t need strength to be a leader; you need to have good characteristics.  In this world, it is not the strongest who are the leaders, but rather the smartest, the ones that can make themselves look like the “stronger,” and “higher.”  This is the same in many animals.  For example, with chimpanzees, the one who makes themselves seem the highest on their “social scale” is the leader, not the strongest one. After all, neither Hulk, Iron Man nor Thor, lead the Avengers, it is Captain America.  It just shows you how powerful things such as music can be.

Overall, I think your artwork is both great, and beholds great messages.  I would really like to know what you thought about the program being in school vs. the center.  Anyways, that’s all for now,

------------Abdul

P.S.      The moon looks like it has wings

P.P.S.   People were complaining about how my other posts were too long so I made this one shorter.