The Mask

A lot of the time I put on a mask, a bit like the one that the typical clown wears. 

My own view perceives the stereotypical clown as comical, happy and colourful, if not a little bit frightening at times. The reality is however, that the clown only acts in this way in an attempt to make the audience laugh. Underneath the costume and make up they are likely to be an entirely different person. 

These images are of two paintings produced for my GCSE project, under the title of 'Red'.

They show that under the mask there are other, unseen emotions. The barrier just needs to be released. 

What I am really trying to convey is that sometimes I pretend to be really happy when in fact, I'm not. I tend to put on a mask, but why?  I started to think about this the other day and came to the conclusion that I was not fulfilling my life in the way that I wanted to; I didn't do enough of the things that I really liked doing. 

Why? because I wasn't trying. 

This leads me to where I am now. Last night I tried ballroom dancing for the very first time. It recently occurred to me, when I was wondering around the society fair at University, that every time I watched it on the television, on programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, I found myself wishing that I had the skill to glide elegantly and swiftly around the dance floor, just as the people on TV do. Taking part in my first lesson last night made me happy. We learnt the Quickstep, the Foxtrot and the Cha Cha Cha , which was by far my favourite. 

The Cha Cha Cha is a fast ballroom dance which originated from Latin America, and follows a rhythmic pattern based upon a quick three step movement. It is a vibrant, flamboyant and playful dance with a light and bubbly feel about it. It was ultimately fun to dance which is why I think I became so fond of it. 

I admit, it was a little awkward at the start to get so up close and personal to a person I had never met before, but I soon forget about the slightly abnormal situation and really started to enjoy myself. I know for certain that this is something that I want to continue. It felt like an outlet from the actuality of my life and from all the things that I should have been doing instead. It felt good.

As a result of this, one of my aims in life is to now try new and different things as much as I possibly can. This will help me to discover more about what I enjoy doing, which might help to motivate me to do the things that I don't like doing, such as the reading for my course!! 

Being Hopeful

Art 

The subject I love most of all.

Inspired by Jasper Johns

 The image above is of a painting I produced for my AS project. The background in particular was largely inspired by Jasper Johns, an American painter, sculptor and print-maker. His images would normally consist of everyday, two-dimensional objects, such as flags, maps and letters of the alphabet, and would typically make use of bold and simple colours.

The foreground  itself is of a slightly more detailed primary photograph (namely the axle of an old bike), which I took myself. My thoughts were to combine Jasper John's more simplistic style of painting with a more detailed approach. Surprisingly, I was very pleased with how well this combination worked together, and would like to produce more works in the style of this in the future. 

The title of this blog is named "Being Hopeful", why?

I have recently applied for a number of jobs in a bid to make a little bit of pocket money. This is also the case for volunteer work, in particular an organisation titled BUILD, which I would love to become a part of. I am hopeful that at least one of these applications will become a success. 

In an attempt to connect it to the axle of a bike, I would like my life to continuously spin, just as the wheels of a bike do. 

Enlighten Me

"Our lives are like a candle in the wind" -

A beautiful quote written by Carl Sandburg. 

To me, the most important message conveyed from this phrase is that the wind has the power to blow you out at any moment in time. However, this does not mean that you will merely disappear forever. I have learnt that life is what you make of it. 

Leave your mark behind and spread the candlelight. 

Photography by Laura Coles

This is an image I like to call "the track to no where". 
I am desperately trying to lead myself to somewhere other than nowhere. I am in my second year of studying psychology at university and, although I love it, I am not sure as of yet where it will take me, but I guess that's the fun of it right? 

This blog is all about finding out about who I really am as an individual. I am aiming to do this through my art, my photography (which I enjoy, but am not all that great at) and my writing. Searching for things that inspire me will motivate me to do the things that I am scared to do. 

I see my life as an opportunity to make a change and I am hopeful that one day I will.