#for someone who is not a natural artist i am a visual person which creates Problems lmaooo

[trickstercaptain]

     so apparently it’s not enough for me to just figure out and list Jack’s tattoos, instead my brain is only satisfied if i make an entire body map to provide a visual guide to both his tattoos and his scars in both canon and modern verse lmao

[betterbemeta]

As it is right now, machine learning image generation is classist. It depends strongly on the human audience's eye for pareidolia to smooth over its inconsistencies and find patterns in its noise where its procedural generation falls short.

This means that the less opportunity a person has to gain context for information, the more likely 'AI art' is to be convincing. As long as that person has been given a baseline to 'believe' the general arrangement of elements, AI art will 'make sense' even if that baseline is just exposure to more acontextual imagery. Which is what the machine learning's algorithms were trained on in the first place.

For example, 'AI' right now struggles to coherently depict plants. When it's not blurry, indistinct plant fur, leaves from different kinds of plants appear on the same stem, plants from the wrong biome are included in 'nature' images. Someone who has very little educational opportunity, but has seen movies where people walk through jungles or forests as set pieces or something, might not notice the difference. And why do you 'need' to know if the plants look right, poor person; you'll never leave your immediate area or take a biology class!

Someone without the opportunity or comfort to travel might not recognize that a cityscape has been artificially generated, depicts no actual real-world city. Is that supposed picture of Dubai or New York City or Cairo showing a real place that exists? Who cares, you're too poor to ever go there.

Searching for information about animal species, even, can get messed up by generated 'content.' Do servals have ear tufts? What kind of insect is that? What species of lizard or snake am I looking at? You don't deserve to know what kinds of animals are real. What time do you have to go to a zoo, if there's even one around you?

The less money you have, the more likely you are to be surrounded by advertising and "AI Art" is ideal for advertising because it only tells a very simple story at best. There's no complicated human emotions; its literally made of averages of what has been seen before. Marketing and advertising content often replaces actual art that might be a window into a greater world. It may even just be dropped in there to fill the awkward silence or blankness that would have otherwise surrounded marketing efforts-- commercials would be surreal without some say-nothing 'music' track behind them, and billboards would be creepy without the graphic noise that surrounds the product and its information. Someone who passes through more monetized public spaces per day will see more of it than someone who inhabits private property.

And like, at the end of the day if you are wealthy... you probably don't care about any of this. You have access to whatever you want, so why do you care what's real? You trust you can 'pay for' the real thing, right?

Plus, who knows the economic status of who generated imagery the machine learning algorithms train on? It's all stolen.

Photography has been critical in modern history for bringing 'the world' across social divisions of class, race, geographical divides. Photographers and filmmakers, along with other visual artists as well as musicians, writers, and journalists associated with all of these disciplines give us lenses, framing, voices, and perspectives to understand our greater world no matter where we are. Hell, identifying the human intentions BEHIND those lenses, framings, voices is key to our development. No matter your circumstances, with a strong grasp of media literacy anyone can sit down and say, wait a minute, is this real, would it be true for me too? Or is this someone's point of view?

To the point of view of wealth and capital, the working class and those without wealth who cannot work (disabled people, displaced people, homeless people shut out of employment, and more) do not deserve to know about reality. To that point of view, nonwealthy people don't deserve to even know who created the perspectives they're allowed to see. You can be born, get trained to work, go to work, come home to the minimum, repeat, and die having seen no images of reality for all they care. They'd like that! How can you dream of something outside the current exploitative structure if you can't even trust you know what plants and animals and cities look like, outside your tiny box?

[kitkat1128]

Moses and the Burning Bush Scene Movie VS Scripture Comparative Analysis (Part 1/2)

I will say right off the bat that I am not here to argue which one is better. As someone of the faith it’s obvious for me to say that the Scripture is better as God’s Word is inerrant however I do understand that the movie has a unique way of showing the character of God not in a perfect way but still in a respectable way. 

Some people may already have noticed these things to be said of the comparison or that some may not even agree with me. However, as somebody of the faith and somebody who is a very big fan of this movie, I do believe that firmly anybody of all backgrounds can truly appreciate this film for the respectable artistic and religious license that was taken into making this movie.

So, let’s get started!

I understand there are some cuts before Moses enters the cave but I want to start with the part when God speaks to Moses for the first time. As you watch the scene, everything that God says causes the wind to move. As He is the one who brings life in His breath of course, this was a nice consistency of His character and authority. Moses perceives God’s voice is mixed with the wind. More importantly, a whisper.

Most people of the faith describe God’s voice as a whisper, others call it a ‘little voice in their head,’ a conscience, a pit in your stomach, Jimney Cricket. Here, for POE (Prince of Egypt) Moses, God revealed Himself not only visually as the burning bush (which I will want to talk a little more about later) but as the wind. As it was Moses’ first encounter with God, the Lord was very gentle with him and talked to him lowly as a whisper. 

In the screenshot below, Moses replies back: “Here I am.” (So far, this conversation is faithful to the Scriptures). Then, I would like you to focus on how God’s voice changes. It’s still blending with the wind but not as a subtle whisper. It is now a low-talking voice. 

I believe that the reason that this happens is because POE Moses responds back. He acknowledges a presence, which makes him closer to the presence who is talking, although he is already physically. Responding back to your Creator is a sign of obedience, thus obedience creates closeness. Understandably, however, Moses does not know exactly who this voice is so he is naturally and rightfully scared. 

“Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5 NKJV).

The movie understandably erases the first sentence but only because in the Bible, Moses' attention to the burning bush was something extraordinary that he couldn’t figure out, which had to do with the presence of the angel of the LORD in the bush. The movie doesn’t add this detail explicitly, but I have a hint that it might actually be true later. Moses, in the movie, was allowed to come close. He touched the fire with his staff, nothing happened. Then with his own hand, and nothing happened.

 So, why would the Lord in the Bible tell Moses to not come close? It was to show honor to the immediate presence of the LORD. As well as it was for him to take his shoes off. As some Asian countries recognize, once you enter someone’s home you take off your shoes. Well, now that Moses was in God’s ‘home’ he must also take off his shoes. Also, servants of that time would usually be barefoot. So, this was a sign of humility. Once again, a form of obedience. 

Either way, in the movie, God’s presence is still honored, but perhaps not completely. 

From here on, the conversation may have some of the same things said in the Bible, but in a different order with some things cut out or simplified. POE Moses asks God, “Who are You?” God responds with a slightly louder voice but still not a normal talking voice: “I AM THAT I AM.” (Hebrew: אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, 'ehye 'ăšer 'ehye). This phrase is what could be the extended version of the name YHWH, Yahweh/Jehovah. The LORD’s personal name. As the Lord has no equal, He is who He is. That is why He answers this. In the Bible, God doesn’t reveal this until Exodus 3:14. Currently, the events happening are still in Exodus 3:5. Moses replies as most viewers would, “I don’t understand.” God’s voice now is at normal volume but still makes the ground ripple like water and wind blow gently at His every word. God replies with Exodus 3:6, Moreover, He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

So, here is my take on how much wonder and detail it came to the presence of God in this film. Even though the burning bush was of fire that doesn’t burn or exert heat of any kind, the light refracted off of it was not what a fire would do. The light refractions off the walls around the cave were like that of water. 

Then, it came to me. God’s voice in the wind, the light of a fire, the refraction of water, and the holiness of the ground. Earth, wind, fire, and air. Of course, God is not limited to just the 4 elements, but He did make them and much more. I just thought it was a really beautiful thing to show how God created the elements that we know and He makes them obey Him to His will. 

Let’s continue. In the Bible, Moses hides his face in fear. While in the movie, he immediately removes his shoes after a momentary state of shock and awe. Personally, I find the reaction to be hilarious because if I was told God was right in front of me I would have that same face too. However, as you take into account what Moses’ relationship with the Lord could have been, presumably he has been taught the ways of the Lord by his father-in-law Jethro, the high priest of Midian. He was content and living a peaceful life in the desert with his newfound faith and new life. He was taught the glory and honor that God has and demands. He knows of the great things that the Lord has done for His people, the holy works of the Lord. The stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel. He knew of Joseph who brought Israel to Egypt in the first place and why. Now, he was literally talking with the One who did it all.

POE Moses asks, “What do You want with me?” I would personally find this face to be of fear and uncertainty. Possibly expecting to be yelled at or scolded. Perhaps he is thinking of his past as an Egyptian prince and what he has done. 

What really intrigued me though was that as soon as God mentions Egypt the light turns from a white-bluish tone to a more yellow-orange. Why would God do this exactly? Nowhere in the Bible was there any sort of ‘color-change’ like a mood rock. 😂 However, it was intended to set the tone of the conversation. 

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. (Exodus 3:7 NKVJ)

For us the viewer and especially for Moses, it brings us back to Egypt even though we are not physically there. Even during the opening scene, we know of those color schemes. It was a nice visual touch. 

I would also like to argue that the other voices from Moses’ past may not be what God is making him hear but what Moses himself is hearing in his own head. God may be speaking audibly and the other memories are thoughts or recalling of moments. Perhaps, both are audible or both are thoughts in his head. Either way, it works. 

How I felt about it as a little young’n was that this was all audible and God was replaying other memories in his life relating to the conversation. From Moses’ reaction to the sound of a whip, one could argue that he was reminded of how God’s people were treated and the day he fled from Egypt, thus from his own mind. To cater to us the viewer, we have to hear everything that may be influencing a character's movements. So perhaps the memory in Moses’ mind was echoed audibly. 

However, later in the conversation, God reveals to him something of the future: “Let my people go!” God can also tell us what the future holds. Prophetic messages. Some are audible to others, some are not. I will say that I love how this can be interpreted freely and left to interpretation. There are many ways that God speaks to us so I truly respect this decision. 

Another visual touch was how the animators made the burning bush almost resemble human movement despite it being a supernatural presence. 

When God speaks of “a land flowing with milk and honey,” you could almost hear His voice say it and show the significance of abundance, like arms physically stretching out. 

 (Part 2)

[lgenvs3000w23]

Nature Interpretation Through Art (unit #4)

I see “The Gift of Beauty” (Beck et al., 2018) as the passing of nature’s magnetic and recharging quality from interpreter to audience. Nature is known for its magnetic quality that draws people in, to the point of craving fresh air and sunlight almost like a drug. Many people consider nature spiritual and emotionally recharging, which adds to nature's mass appeal and draw. Additionally, an important feature of “The Gift of Beauty” is the. aspect of preservation. Nature’s immense beauty creates an intrinsic drive for one to want to preserve it to be able to continue to appreciate it and allow others the opportunity to do so as well. A huge driving force for me is that I want my future children to experience the beauty of nature, which ultimately drives a need for conservation and sustainability for me.

I think that “The Gift of Beauty” and “The Gift of a Spark” are connected because of how powerful beauty is, often being the spark of interest for many. Notably, beauty is the easiest of the 15 principles and gifts to quickly communicate, especially through art. It is said that one has a maximum of 10 seconds to grab an audience’s attention (Griffith, 2023) so visual art is the most effective and impactful. An example of beauty being utilized to spark interest and desire for nature is through information pamphlets (below). An interpreter chose each of these images to grab attention and convince someone to visit.

(The Adventure Map)

But you don't have to be designing nature pamphlets to act as an interpreter bestowing “The Gift of Beauty” on audiences… the average nature-lover does this all the time without even trying, that's how powerful the draw of nature’s beauty is! Every time we upload a vacation photo of a pretty destination, open our laptops revealing a landscape wallpaper, tell our friends about our camping weekend and so many more tiny things, we are be spreading “The Gift of Beauty” to other’s without even trying! 

So this brings us to the question of “Who are you to interpret nature through art?” Well, I am a human being just like all of you so it is in my nature to enjoy and protect the beauty, as well as want to spread the beauty for others to revel in. Art is one of the most accessible forms of communication on the planet, as art is a universal language that has no economic or social barriers when it comes to personal expression. 

One of the pieces of artwork below is by Claude Monet and one is by an elementary school student… can you tell which is which? 

(Gorden, 2024; Monet, 1897)

I joke of course! However, the point is that both pieces of artwork communicate “The Gift of Nature” and inspire audiences to appreciate nature: one probably inspired a family to go on a nature walk after dinner and the other inspired generations of artists, but the point still stands that art is a power tool to drive audiences. Additionally, art can be expressed in many forms which opens up even more opportunities for the average person to interpret nature.

References 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. Sagamore Venture.

Gorden, B. (2024). Tissue paper Monet art projects [Photograph]. 123HomeSchool4Me. https://www.123homeschool4me.com/famous-artist-monet_71/

Griffith, R. (2023). Use value proposition to catch attention: Pragmatic Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/articles/product/the-10-second-customer-attention-test/#:~:text=User%20experience%20data%20and%20market,they%20engage%20with%20your%20message. 

Monet, C. (1897). Nympheas: Sun Effects [Photograph]. GettyImages. https://www.gettyimages.ca/photos/claude-monet-water-lilies

The Adventure Map. About The Adventure Map [Photograph]. CHRISMAR. https://chrismar.com/pages/about-the-adventure-map%C2%AE

[bandhyukoh]

[The Soundcheck] HYUKOH interview: approaching life “through love”

Disclaimer: This interview belongs to The Soundcheck. Find the original source here. May 2023. By Morena Kercuku.

Hello HYUKOH, my name is Morena, welcome to The Soundcheck! I feel very honoured to hold this interview. You guys are so talented, and each one of your songs can be very addicting! My first question is, what is your creative process and how do you work on your music?

DONGGUN: They are created through jam sessions in the studio, or by adding ideas to a simple theme played by someone.

HYUNJAE: In the case of the most recent release of “through love”, everybody gathered in the studio and worked on songs together based on voice memos OHHYUK had recorded.

INWOO: We made them either based on the demos OHHYUK brought or just through jam sessions.

OHHYUK: Thank you for having us. I usually make lots of demos, and based on that, we arrange and record together. The first two albums were made in Korea, and subsequent albums were produced in Berlin and Bath.

Most of your EP/album are named after the age you were at the time, becoming diaries shaped into music. What is the difference between Hyukoh in their “20” era, and Hyukoh in their “through love” era? Also, is there any particular reason you did not name your last EP with an age number?

DONGGUN: As people go through life, they often come up with new thoughts and may even change their existing beliefs. I feel that this process naturally affects my approach to music, which is a part of my life. It’s difficult to describe precisely what differences it brings, but I find that I am able to concentrate more and immerse myself in things.

HYUNJAE: It seems that more and more things are seen in life.

INWOO: I consider it to be maturing as time passes, which encompasses the thoughts and emotions I accumulate as I gain experiences.

OHHYUK: From ’20’ to ’23,’ we titled our album with numbers that reflected our thoughts and experiences at the time, like a journal. When making ’24,’ We considered the theme of true love and happiness and added it as a subtitle. And for our next album, we wanted to convey the specific theme of the attitude to love everything, so we titled it ‘through love.’

Within your musical project it emerges that there is ample space for aesthetic and visual creativity, which can be seen in the covers of your albums and your music videos: what or who inspired the most both your musical and artistic expression?

DONGGUN: When it comes to musical expression, I personally think the most important thing is the natural changes or the moment that occurs in life and just what happens in everyday life.

HYUNJAE: Thom Yorke…?

INWOO: I think Thom Yorke is an artist that all the members have in common.

OHHYUK: There are so many people who I have been affected by that it makes no sense to list them one by one. Because of these people, I think I can make music and put out my work. My head is always full of thoughts. I enjoy categorizing and analyzing information that I have seen as I keep my head in the clouds. When these ideas come to some conclusion, that seems to be the beginning of the work.

What do you think is the moment which most impacted your music career?

DONGGUN: The times when the performance schedule was too packed, and we were tired due to the busy schedule but still had fun, are the most memorable. Such times seem to be more memorable than any other big events.

HYUNJAE: The clatters that occurred while making ‘through love.’

INWOO: Coachella…?

OHHYUK: It’s hard to choose one. There is nothing more fun than meeting various people who love our music in person at the venue. These days, there are times when I suddenly miss the performances I did before.

Your last music video “LOVE YA!” always makes me emotional because it beautifully and simply represents love in all of its forms, regardless of age, ethnicity, and gender. Your songs can give pure happiness to those who listens to it, so my question is: what is the message that you want to share with your music, and the impact you want to have?

DONGGUN: I think that the vibe and emotions that people feel when they listen to our music could actually be the message we want to share. Music is difficult to describe in words. Even when I listen to music, I interpret it based on my personal feelings rather than trying to figure out the intention of the writer, so I believe that it’s okay for anyone who listens to our music to interpret it in their own ways, as long as they enjoy it.

HYUNJAE: To capture the meaning of every moment.

INWOO: Love and happiness!

OHHYUK: Despite all that goes on in our busy daily lives, I wish people could take time to think about the approach of trying to see everything through love.

Reminiscing the title your of EP, can you tell us “How to find true love and happiness”?

DONGGUN: If the question is literally about ‘how to find true love and happiness,’ it seems to be hiding somewhere in everyday life. There are so many ways to find it, and it seems that you can know at the moment whether it is easy or difficult, or you can realize it only after a long time has passed. It seems there is no right answer.

HYUNJAE: Staying and leaving, and staying and leaving.

INWOO: Seeing, hearing, and experiencing a lot of good things.

OHHYUK: The harder I worked as we released 22 and prepared 23, the more I felt like I was getting farther away from the happiness I had vaguely imagined. So I thought I should explore a discourse on true love and happiness in detail. Furthermore, I wanted to ask the same question to the listeners and think about it together.

During these years you collaborated with many artists, which one of these experiences was the most meaningful to you and why?

DONGGUN: It’s hard to choose one.

HYUNJAE: Although I have fond memories of all the collaborations, I think it would be appropriate to mention ‘through love REMIX,’ as it was the first remix album released as HYUKOH.

INWOO: It’s hard to choose one because the mix of our colors and the diverse colors of the other artists creates a variety of different vibes.

OHHYUK: All the projects we collaborated on left good memories, each different in their own way, making it difficult to pick just one. However, the most recent project stands out in my mind. We worked on the ‘through love remix’, and I was particularly impressed by ‘Help’ by Sunset Rollercoaster. The way they transformed the song was incredible, and it made me really happy when I first heard it.

In 2021 you performed in a beautiful pine tree forest in Gyeongju, Korea. Visually speaking it was really cool and suggestive to see, but for you it must have been a very different experience compared to the usual concerts venues, how did you feel?

DONGGUN: It was very different from my usual stage performances since it was not in front of some audience, but rather filmed. I felt a bit tired as the schedule was tight due to lighting and production, but it was still enjoyable.

HYUNJAE: Since it was an outdoor venue, there was no reflection, making it challenging to monitor and perform. However, I feel fortunate to have had the rare experience playing in nature.

INWOO: I couldn’t be there, so I just saw it on the video.

OHHYUK: Thank you. It was drizzling during the performance, and I actually felt good. I believe the shoot took about 7 hours.

Do you guys feel connected to your musical instruments, and technically speaking which ones are your favourite and why?

DONGGUN: Sometimes when I focus on playing, there are times when I play without thinking, and suddenly realize my hands are moving. When I think about those moments, I guess I can say that I feel connected. My favorite instruments are bass and guitar.

HYUNJAE: I like the guitar the most because I feel like there are still many reasons why I need to become closer to it.

INWOO: I feel like I become a whole with the drums, especially when performing! Since I started drumming, I’ve believed that drum sounds contain emotions, and I want to move and touch people with them.

OHHYUK: I don’t think I really feel like that. If I don’t play an instrument for a while, my hands and mind start to work separately. These days, I’ve been using modular synths a lot.

Nowadays South Korea’s pop culture is known worldwide. But Hyukoh does not fit into this genre and I’m curious to know, how do you feel about K-pop? And what do you think about the “K-“ letter which is put in front of every Korean artistic form?

DONGGUN: There are many different types of music in the world, and each person’s music is unique. Therefore, it is natural that someone’s music does not fit into another. I wonder if it’s a little too much for all the Korean art forms to have a “K-“ in front of them.

HYUNJAE: I think it’s a fun and interesting phenomenon.

INWOO: It’s good that there are more and more fun things in various fields!

OHHYUK: With the rise of K-pop and various other content, the barriers to Asian content seem to have lowered, which is a positive improvement in my opinion. Prefixing “K-“ to all Korean content seems to be similar to classifying pop music from Japan as J-pop. Like J-pop in the past, K-pop seems to be occupying a sub-genre position in the global market, as it is still in the process of establishing its market size. If someday the perception of global listeners towards Asian Music as “Pop” becomes more widespread, more colorful sub-genres may emerge without certain prefixes in the future.

Is there anything you would change about the music industry?

DONGGUN: No.

HYUNJAE: Nothing.

INWOO: No, I think, nothing.

OHHYUK: I hope there will be a lot of good and various content, and more people who enjoy that type of content.

As someone who was born and raised in Italy, with an Albanian cultural background, I always find myself questioning in which one of the two countries I belong more to. As humans we all feel the need to find our place, so I’d like to know if you, OHHYUK, also have these kind of “existential” questions due to your past in China, and if so, did you find any answer to these doubts?

OHHYUK: There has always been identity confusion. I’ve felt like I don’t belong anywhere. But now I know the experience of being exposed to different environments helps me a lot.

Can you tell us what’s next for HYUKOH?

DONGGUN: I bet we will be doing something fun.

HYUNJAE: I want to meet with our fans again with better music and better opportunities.

INWOO: As we have done so far, I think we will continue to do fun, good, and enjoyable things.

OHHYUK: We’re preparing a really good full-length album.

One last question: do you have any message for your fans which are (im)patiently waiting for your return as a group?

DONGGUN: I want to go to the fans and perform as soon as possible. Thank you.

HYUNJAE: I want to see you in a hurry, but I also think there is beauty in waiting.

INWOO: I miss you so much and I want to make good memories together on stages again!

OHHYUK: Thank you as always. I sincerely hope to see you soon.

[blakekathryn]

Hey! I’m hopefully going to school for 3D art! I’m going to community college to create a portfolio so I can get into school. Any advice for a person trying to get into art school? And someone aspiring to be a 3D artist in the 21st century?

Congrats on the fresh milestone you're approaching! I went to a public state university and studied Graphic Design. Which is tangential but not art school, I taught myself in the professional moonlit hours what I do today post-uni. What courses to this day I kiss the floor worshipping for my own artistic progress in both these realms are: color theory, composition/perspective, typography (text is very frequently included in some form with visual art), figure painting, and art history. The last being, as while history repeats itself, you can become educated and evolve to have past movements naturally influence your future progression. For getting into art school I imagine it's similar to me getting into upper division and you need a portfolio: only include works you feel show the utmost craft! There isn't always a bias of needing a clear style (do research for your school as that is a subjective situation), as that can be fleshed out with experience, but sloppy work will be noticed immediately. I still abide by doing 10-12 top tier projects/works as a portfolio, and no more than 15 or you may appear insecure on your own curation to those reviewing. Lastly, the elephant in the room, AI. Concept art is actively evolving at an unprecedented rate (I have friends in field who kick ass and are first to admit this), folks are changing their job titles or learning to use AI as a sketch/concept flush out and do paint overs/edits on top, etc etc. All this I say knowing, for a fact, that the industry is adopting these changes actively. I am not in concept art and so far am unaffected, but do know that taste is quickly becoming the most important skillset you can showcase to become hired alongside of course your body of work. I don't view it fully bleak, technology is inevitable and painters used to curse the presence of photography. Alas I find it naïve to ignore the mass adoption occurring and hopefully you can navigate your professional future accepting its existence and integration.

Best of luck to you, rooting for all your success <3

[xangellovely]

Virtual Sketchbook 3

Visual Analysis/Describing Physical Qualities (The Facts): 

The art piece that I have chosen and fallen in love with is called Moonlight Landscape by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797). The landscape is oil on canvas and I honestly have to say, it is the prettiest art that I saw at the museum. It stood out to me the most and was by far my favorite. The original painting for Moonlight Landscape is 31” wide and 26” high. (24 ⅝ x 30 ⅝ in. 62.5 x 77.8 cm). If I were describing this painting to a blind person, I would describe the colors which are dark blue as the sky, some black shaded parts on both sides with the trees, the lake that reflects the white moon, a bridge that is dark in color, it looks gray and black and one pretty, yellow lamp. The shapes that are used in this painting are fluffy, round clouds, curvy and leafy trees on the sides, a rectangular bride, a still lake that has some ripples and some up and down lines/curves in the background that resemble mountains. The subjects that are represented are mountains, a bridge, the night sky, dark elements of trees on both sides of the painting and clouds on the upper left side. I believe that this painting is very well balanced. The shapes of the mountains in the background, along with the trees closer to our view, the moon and the lake makes this painting a well balanced composition. I believe what is emphasized is the proportion of the trees and mountains sort of in the background. The painting really focuses on both of these and these two are what draws my eyes to it the most. I believe this painting has both unity and variety. Everything comes together perfectly making this painting look out of this world. The variety of the different sizes of trees and mountains really brings the painting to life as well. 

This Part is All About You:

This artwork makes me feel like I am right there in the painting. Standing on the bridge, looking down at the lake, seeing the reflection of the moon on the lake and then seeing the mountains in the background and looking all around at the trees! It feels like a very romantic setting to take your significant other to. Such as in Cinderella! I believe that it evokes these feelings because of the romantic side of the painting. This painting feels like a place someone proposes to their significant other at. It just brings a smile to my face!

Now Research:

Some of the things I have learned about is why Wright made this painting in the first place. Wright did this because he had a passion for light effects. He also made this painting to create a mood in himself and others who have viewed it. Also, stated at the Ringling Museum next to the painting, it supports this claim by saying, “Wright was fascinated by light, both natural and artificial, and made it the subject of many of his paintings”. I have looked at Wright’s other paintings online and this is true. He does include light in his arts. As I stated before, Wright also likes to create moods within his arts. Bringing out the emotions of others just like it did with myself. Also, looking at many of his other paintings, he concentrates a lot on landscapes. Wright definitely implements his environment into his paintings. Which I believe makes his art even more interesting to look at. Also, his colors across other paintings he has done are a combination of both dark and light colors. I really like the different paintings that I have seen from him. The combos of light and dark paintings that Wright has made also appear in most of his paintings. 

Thinking:

The movement that I found that Moonlight Landscape was associated with was the Industrial Revolution and Joseph Wright contributed to the Romantic and Baroque movements. I believe that who is the subject is the moon-lit night. I do believe that is the subject of the whole portrait. The artwork says that the artist who made it is that the whole painting is made of light and dark colors. Which tells me that the artist really likes mixing those two together to bring out this sort of art. Wright seems to like creating a mood in his paintings and this is one of those paintings that creates a certain type of mood. I believe that I can tell what the artist was trying to say. He was trying to say that he enjoys this type of landscape. That this painting is both a dream and a romantic type of place. The artist gets his message across very clearly. Wright painted everything he wanted to express to us in the painting and made sure we felt the same mood that he did when the painting was finished. 

The Last (most important) Part:

I believed I picked the art because I have always loved art that has an environment around it. Such as a pretty sunset or night time sky, or even a beach. These types of paintings have always been a huge favorite of mine because there are a lot of emotions and feelings going on in paintings like this. I believe what makes this art important to society is that, just as the artist intended, is to have a lot of feelings and emotions when looking at Moonlight Landscape. I felt that way when looking at it and it made me feel more when staring at it because it caught my attention immediately. I believe this art was a very influential part of the world and I do believe it does motivate people today as well! It has that effect on me even though I will never make an art as beautiful as that was. I am so thankful to at least have had the chance to experience the Ringling Museum. It was definitely a worthwhile time!

Me in front of Joseph Wright's painting. The Moonlight Landscape at the Ringling Museum.

[k00293449a]

Portrait-project summary

Over the last 6 weeks we were given the prompt portrait. I really loved this project as we were urged to go beyond the reality of what we thought was a portrait. I decided to explore the fact that everything has a personality and therefore deserves to have a portrait.

At first I decided to lean into the more eery side of my art as that is sometimes how my art tends to look. I just decided to go for it.

This is what I came up with for the more eery side of my art. I wanted it to make people uncomfortable and look at the image like it was telling a story. For example why is the eye bloodshot or why does the shaddow have antlers.

Throughout the project I started moving into how everything had personality no matter what it is and in my mind therefore deserves to have a portrait.

Even though the Teddy piece didn't work out, it still fits with my idea that everything has a story and therefore personality. we might not know the story of said thing, but we know it has history. I'm my mind that's more than deserving of a portrait. For the other 2 pieces, throughout the years, painting pallets have been great visually for me. They have tonnes of personality and reflect the artist who is painting the piece that they are being mixed for. They are a work of art on their own. For the bigger piece, I wanted to be a bit abstract and explore that along with reflecting the colours of the pallet I was mixing on. The smaller page is the actual pallet which I used to mix the paint on. I love it as it accidentally made the shape of a person walking albeit subjective it still falls into the shape of someone walking and I find that pretty cool as it was accidental.

I soon moved on to experimenting with colour and doing studies of different things. For example the process of painting or just experimenting with techniques I've never tried before.

For the first 2 I wanted to try gold underpainting. I found this techneique ages ago but I never implemented it wirh my work. I painted these onto canvas board that wasn't white but a tan colour so the gold would pop more. I experimented with colour and lighting in these pieces. I am extremely happy with how they turned out. For the hand study I applied a similar colour pallet to the 1st self potrait with gold underpainting. I experimented with colour and created an natural skin tone to contrast with the 1st gold work. I'm incredibly proud of how they both turned out.

I am currently learning how to use a camera and would like to apply this medium into my future works. Using a camera is very different to using a phone camera to take references and I like it alot as you technically have 2 pieces at the end of it all.

I again experimented with colour. I wanted to create a pallet where even cold tones are able to work with a piece so well that it doesn't make the warmth of the overarching colours appear dull.

I used these 6 weeks to learn alot about my art and to experiment with new and exciting things. That I will definitely use in the future.

[1000-directions]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Portrait Artist. I caught up with all the older series during lockdown, definitely comfort tv.

hi! just started the third series and i'm very much enjoying it so far! i really love reality competition shows where people are MAKING stuff and getting to show off their skills, and this is such a great version of that. i think visual arts can be so hard to capture in a reality show format due to time constraints, like there have been other artsy shows in the past where it's like "okay, you have to create artwork inspired by this theme, you have eight hours, GO!" and so much art just........doesn't work like that lol. but i think portraiture is fairly amenable to this kind of challenge, and it's lovely to see so many different people working in different media. i also like that they get to present something they made at home in however much time as they wanted, and then something in four hours, and then as the heats progress they have some longer times as well. some of the techniques don't really lend themselves to the four hour time limit unfortunately, but i like that everyone has at least two opportunities to show what they can do, and overall it feels like a good representation of talent makes it through each round.

things that bug me a little: a lot of artists seem to take a picture of the subject and then spend the entire time painting directly from their picture instead of painting from the live human trying to sit still for four hours, which is kinda like...why even make that person sit there! obviously some incredibly beautiful works get created this way and it still requires great skill, but it seems like painting from a photograph and painting from life are different skills, and they act like they are testing one skill but seem to be rewarding the other? this is nitpicky, especially because another thing that bugs me is that in the early heats, they have the artists paint in rooms lit by natural sunlight and then the light changes during the day and all the shadows move around, and that is frustrating and seems to punish the people who aren't working from photographs, argh! and i think the last thing that bugs me is that sometimes they put someone through because they think it's a good picture but not a good likeness, and usually i am very much in favor of rewarding people for creating something good even if it doesn't perfectly adhere to the rules of the challenge, BUT i think that in portraiture the likeness is SO IMPORTANT that if you haven't captured the likeness, you........have not made a portrait.........

things i like a lot: i love seeing who is gonna show up as one of the sitters! i think that's such an interesting way to bring in ~celebrity appeal to a show like this. i also like that the sitters get to pick their favorites to keep but that it doesn't seem to influence the overall judging. i don't think this is a show that needs guest judges, but i like that the non-expert sitters still get to express appreciation for the works. i like seeing different unexpected techniques, like the linocut guy or the person who did stitching or the person who only used red green and blue to make pixels. and some of these techniques are not really appropriate to the final prize or even later stages of the competition, but i like that they get to show up and demonstrate their skills and gain some recognition for their work. i like the way the show progresses and gets more involved each episode. i like that they each create several different works over each series and build like a mini portfolio based on the challenges. i like that the works get displayed in the national portrait gallery and other esteemed locations, which is an interesting way to invite the public to interact with a type of art they might not have if they hadn't followed its creation on tv. i love the idea of commissions and watching how collaborative the process can be between sponsoring facility, artist, and subject. i particularly loved the entire process for the alan cumming portrait, like that was just joyful to experience.

overall i just love the atmosphere and the feel of the show, and i love the very cool portraits that get created! before i started watching, i had no idea what to expect and didn't think it would be as compelling as it ended up being! such a delight. thank you for asking!!

[marshmallowprotection]

Hi Kait! ^^ If it’s ok with you I was wondering if I could get a match up? Your writing is always so wonderful!

I’m Korean-American, and I have dark brown eyes and really long black hair. My MBTI is INFP. Some of my favorite hobbies include drawing, reading, writing, photography, gardening, taking walks, and listening to music. In terms of books, I like a lot of the classics! I also enjoy singing, swing dancing, and playing the piano. I’m quiet, reserved, and introverted, but I’ve been told I seem to always be smiling. Though I’m definitely more of a homebody, I’m open to any new experiences! Although it takes me a while to warm up to people, I get along with everyone and become more talkative and playful once I’m comfortable with someone. I prefer deep conversations to small talk, and I love listening to people talk about their passions. I laugh easily. My friends tell me I’m gentle and sweet, but that I can be too innocent and naive because of my tendency to see the best in people. I believe in second chances and forgiveness, though I’m still learning how to be compassionate towards myself. I am an over-thinker and major perfectionist who tends to worry a lot. I feel both my and other people’s emotions deeply, which means I can be overly sensitive at times. I think my empathy is one of my biggest strengths, though. As much as it hurts when other people are hurting, I’m glad if I can be there for someone if they need me, whether they’re in pain or just want someone to celebrate with.

I’m studying psychology and do like it a lot! But my true love is art. I’m fascinated by the world and find so much joy in capturing all the wonderful little moments of life in drawings. I chose psych over art school (originally planning on going on to med school for psychiatry) because there are people in my life who don’t approve of my being an artist, but I’ve since promised myself to be braver and plan to pursue art after graduation no matter what they say. Both music and visual art touches my heart in ways I can’t describe, but visual art does so exceptionally. I love drawing, and time never flies by as quickly and unnoticeably as it does when I’m sketching. I especially love being able to tell stories through my art, but I really like any form! Creating art feels like breathing, to me. The world is full of so many beautiful and inspiring things, and I love drawing out how I feel or going outside and painting sunsets. Although I am rather afraid of bugs, I love nature and flowers and taking walks in autumn. My neighbors might think I’m a little strange, but I like dancing outside in the summer rain, as well. While I adore all seasons, I particularly like being able to wear sundresses with cardigans in the spring. I like cute things and dressing up, and more often than not I’ll be wearing ribbons in my hair. I’m told I’m similar to Beth March from Little Women and Tangled’s version of Rapunzel. My overall primary love language is physical touch, but my giving and reception of all five love languages are pretty evenly matched!

I hope that’s enough! (or maybe too much? Haha) Thank you so much for your time, and I hope you have a lovely rest of your day <33

I match you with...

Yoosung.

So, you're the kind of person who wants to experience anything and everything you can. Even if the world can be difficult and hard sometimes, the only thing you can think about is sharing a smile with the rest of the world. You want to be able to see everything. You want to be able to understand everything.

Even if you have to learn things that are less than appealing, there will always be a brighter day on the horizon where you remind yourself that being alive means you get to experience the sunrise every morning no matter how many times it goes away at sunset. You are hopeful and that's a quality that not many people have in this world.

That's why the perfect match for you in the situation is Yoosung. You're both following the paths that feel right to you. You have a passion that may not be the career you're following through, but it's something you hold near and dear to your heart and having somebody who understands what it feels like to have a passion that means the world to you is something that's hard to put into words. It's like being seen for the first time.

When you have a non-traditional hobby that may not be accessible to you as a career, you still want to explore it and expand it. You love art and he loves baking, for example. Imagine how much fun you can have by blending those two things together and creating new experiences with your hobbies. Imagine how much fun it would be to decorate a cake together because that's one way to make art and sweets.

He is inspired by your inability to give up. You find him at the lowest moment of his life and thanks to you, he can believe in himself. He hopes that he's able to give you the experience to believe in yourself, too.

[eakenvs3000f23]

Nature, Art & The Gift of Beauty

Hey friends!

With Thanksgiving approaching this weekend, we have a perfect opportunity to appreciate our surroundings and contemplate the gift of beauty. During moments of reflection like this, it's worth considering: Have you ever unexpectedly caught sight of a species that evoked an emotional response from you? What about a landscape? Now, what did this make you feel? Did it impact your daily patterns?

I was fortunate to explore Iceland this past summer, where I experienced a profound sense of peace as I leisurely explored the diverse terrain and found elation from the remarkable fauna. Immersing myself in the environment brought forth tranquility and self-rejuvenation. The serenity of the warm sunset on my final evening in Iceland inspired me to forge a deeper daily connection with nature.

Since this excursion I have cherished my available time investigating the outdoors, paying attention to the specific wilderness around me. My adoration for the emotional benefits that arose from connecting with the Icelandic landscape and biota ignited an enjoyment for nature journaling within me. Currently, I’m captivated by the charming world of strawberries🍓As a response to seeking emotional solace by expanding my understanding of the natural world, my delightful journal endeavours have empowered a stronger sense of empathy for the environment. 

With this being said, who am I to interpret nature through art? I'm someone who has found a profound connection with the environment through creative expression. Journaling (visual art) has enriched my understanding and motivation to contribute more within the nature community. While listening to the In Defense of Plant Podcast episode, "The Way of the Gardner," I was fascinated to hear how journaling not only promotes connection to the environment for myself but for others as well. This podcast is actually based on the guest’s published book "The Way of the Gardener: Lost in the Weeds Along the Camino de Santiago" by Lyndon Penner. It's really interesting, as the book is essentially Lyndon's journal from his time spent observing the wildlife in Camino de Santiago. It is touched on in the podcast how Lyndon "unintentionally" wrote the book with a tone that was built on the basis of his personality and unique perspective. Through art (story telling i.e. podcast/books and visuals i.e. journal and drawings), one can inspire a shared passion within our community. Each of us has a unique perspective to offer when interpreting and celebrating the wonders of nature. 

The gift of beauty to me lies in our individual interpretations that have the ability to encourage others to feel connection and compassion to nature which support a sense of responsibility and desire for nature sustainability. By embracing our role as interpreters of nature through art, one has the opportunity to help create a world where artistic expression and environmental stewardship thrive in tandem to make expanding one's perspective of the environment more accessible and meaningful to all.

Thanks for chatting 

Emily

Some sheep in Iceland I took a photo of :)

[josiahiswrite]

Rejection

After my first year of graduate school I applied for internships at Lucasfilm and Pixar. I was living in Los Angeles and just started dating Judy, who would not long after become my wife. I don't recall if I received a rejection from Lucasfilm, but Pixar was very complimentary in their rejection. It also hurt a great deal, because it read like "we really like you, and think you are great, but you can't draw and we want someone who can draw." I'm not joking there. I was rejected because I'm not a visual artist. Maybe it was a tiebreaker sort of thing, these two people are awesome, but we have to go with this one because she can draw and he can't. 

It would have sucked to have gone and be away from Judy at that time (or anytime, I don't do well without Judy). But it is one of a few "what ifs?" in my life. What if Pixar accepted me? What if I moved to the Bay Area? 

This came up because I am in the process of seeking representation for my novel, The Paper-Boy. As a writer and creator, it's sometimes hard to quantify what the thing I wrote is about. I want to say, "well, read it and you'll figure it out." I understand you need to sell yourself and your work, and I've learned a bit about how to do that (I think). 

In Jerry Maguire, Jerry publishes his manifesto and what a sports agent should be. When he publishes it at Kinkos (when that was still a thing) the guy says, "that's how you become great, hang your balls out there." He ends up fired from his agency, and really struggles through life from that point. Now that I can relate to. 

I received a rejection on the Paper-Boy that was encouraging, "THE PAPER-BOY has much to offer, and I appreciate the look." Me being me, I think, well they're just saying that to be nice, because I suck and everything I create must therefore also suck. 

It doesn't suck. It's good, and I believe that, but damn the subjective nature of this line of work is rough. 

I wrote a dark short story about three fallen angels drifting through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. I submitted it to a literary magazine very close to home, and it was rejected. They said it wasn't a good fit, which maybe that's true, but what does that really mean? Why isn't it a good fit? If you want me to try on different shoes you need to recommend the appropriate size. 

Maybe I'll find a home for that story, I can't take it personally, although it always hurts, my words (good, bad, or ugly) are me. So it hurts. As to the novel, it's with a few agents and a friend who is very successful on the film/television side. I hope someone can see the value in it and therefore the value in me.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

LOCAL ARTISTS

WHY

Marcus Watson - I love Marcus Watson's work as he is an illustrator naturally I gravitate towards this. He has made an amazing brand of his work by collaborating with amazing companies such as Lamborghini - this is a direction I would love to take one day.

Darryn George - I love how Darryn uses shapes and bold colours, naturally I wouldn't be drawn to his work but I really resonate with the meaning behind his creations as they are based on biblical principles which I also follow so it adds so much depth to them.

Lizzie pannel - I'm drawn to her flowers and the technique of oil paint. i love the colour, I was actually very interested in her work oi went and saw this in the gallery. I love her use of nature and the consistent theme throughout all of her work.

Kate cox - Kate cox's work is very interesting to me, it is very abstract leaving it up for interpretation to the viewer which I really love. I love the colours through her work and I find it inspiring with abstract forms.

Tracy Tawhino- Tracy's work is very connected to her culture, her values, and identity it is a way for her to express herself and her beliefs with layers of meaning throughout the symbolic patterns and colours. Although I don't have much of a cultural heritage as she does I have a lot of values and symbolic ways I would like to express my work as she does, the patterns guide you to tell a story.

Levi Hawken- his work is so aesthetic to look at. I know it's very superficial but I deeply appreciate the time and the craft that has gone into every culture. His work is beautiful and I love the shapes he uses in his patterns.

Naomi Fai Fai- Naomi also uses a lot of fun symbolism. I really am drawn to this almost child-like art! I think it's so brilliant and my style is very similar. I love how every pattern has a layer of meaning and her work expresses stories she's had! I would love to create art like this for people in the future and have meaning personalised to them.

Holly Shrouder- Holly is very inspirational to me, not only his her work stunning and abstract challenging what you see. But Holly has created an amazing brand for herself having worked in an art gallery and also creating an art class teaching other people how to create and having a fun experience. This is another path that would be interesting to look at for my career as I would love to have my art as its own brand as Holly does. She seems very successful in the art world.

Shane Cotton - Shane is from Palmerston North which I am also from, He is a well-known artist there so he reminds me of a slice of home. His work has so many layers contributed by his cultural heritage, Christian values which I also align with and where he's from which is also where I am from. I love the colours he uses and the illustration style as well. It is so awesome to see his work in so many places, especially like the Britomart mural.

Mika Cotton - Along with Shane as Mika is his daughter, we grew up and went to the same school so again this reminds me a lot of home as her work is connected to where she is from but she expands and also adds values from her Maori heritage and story tells so many deep values through such beautiful work filled with abstract brushes and warm colour pallet which naturally I am very drawn to.

Emma Hercus- Emma's work is so fun to me. I would love to create fun work like Emma's as it gives a fun joyful experience to the viewer. She is a great storyteller through her work and I love the themes of country within her work. A value Emma and I share is the importance of being childlike (different than childish) she communicated this visually very well.

Bonnie Brown- She is someone who I aspire to be like. She is exceptional at illustration and she has done so well she has created her personal studio with work coming in and she is working with brands and good quality company .

[grad604jaden]

Week 1 Notes

I might engage my curiosity by paying closer attention to different creative artistic aspects of different things around me that i wouldn't typically focus too much on

What excites me are designs that resonate with my personal design styles and ideas, especially if the subject matter is something that i’m fond of, because that leads to a deeper and more expansive understanding of the possibilities of my personal interests, helping me to expand my creative horizons.

My desire is not to work in a traditional studio for just any brand. I have a very specific pathway that I am geared towards and that is sports media. But I want to go even further and own my own media outlet

Who am I as a designer?

I am someone who is very passionate about the cultures I was nurtured in and what has influenced my own identity. While I am open to other peoples ideas, I often find that my most inspired and focused work comes when I'm working individually. Being an individualistic designer means I can tap into my inner creativity and intuition freely, allowing me to create designs that are truly authentic and reflective of my personal passions. I think this sets me apart, giving my work a distinct voice and a sense of purpose that resonates with both myself and others who share my cultural influences or appreciate its beauty. Overall my creative journey is something that in hindsight has only just begun so it's difficult to determine exactly who I am as a designer as that question requires a lot of depth and nuance that has yet to be fully explored.

What are the influences on me as a designer and where to they come from?

The cultures that hold a special place in my heart inspire the core of my creative expression. Growing up immersed in these cultures has given me a unique perspective an a profound understanding of their aesthetics and traditions, almost to the point where I recognise it as one cohesive culture as they are all interconnected and directly influence my identity. More specifically these include the cultures that my parents were nurtured in that influenced how they raised me, and what they taught me about growing up.

How do my environmental, social, cultural, sub-cultural, political contexts and influences show up in my work?

My work is almost guaranteed to be a visual representation of my cultural influences, even if the subject matter has nothing to do with the culture/s that my creativity is drawing from at that moment. That might be displayed through colour, shapes or just my overall design style. The way I identify which specific aspects are going to be expressed is something thats challenging to explain because my unique cultural influences lie deep within my subconscious and naturally surface when I immerse myself in the design work.

[jzontheazarian]

James Bambu’s New Single is a “Collect Call” You Don’t Want to Miss

If you're looking for some smooth and soulful tunes to spice up your playlist, look no further than James Bambu, the R&B singer who blends different influences and styles to create his own musical identity. From his colorful performance on COLORS to his latest single "Collect Call", he has been making waves in the indie scene with his honest and expressive songs. We caught up with him to talk about his musical journey, his influences, his creative process, and his thoughts on being a queer artist of color in the industry.

Q: We first discovered you on COLORS. What inspired your energy for that performance?

A: During that era of making music, my main goal was simply to display ‘love’ in a musical format, and for me “Succulent” was a representation of Black Love in all forms. COLORS was such a fantastic platform to present songs at the time, so I was excited to bring that energy to the main stage.

Q: How would you describe your musical style and influences?

A: I consider myself to be musically fluid in that I’m an R&B singer, but my music reflects the many subgenres, and history, of R&B as a traditional genre. So, one day you may hear a 70’s inspired Funk-R&B track, and another day you may hear a more Alternative, House inspired R&B track.

Q: What is the story behind the song “Collect Call” and how did you achieve that heavy sound?

A: To put it simple, I consider “Collect Call” to be the aftermath of what being Fed Up looks like for me. I’ve let my heart out, I’ve cried, and now I wanna smash windows and curse out the person that pissed me off. I want to be free in how I present myself in the moment, and you might see a side of me that you’re not used to. To embody this in  the sound, I wanted to channel more Trap and Pop R&B sounds that I might find in my hometown Atlanta, versus my usual soulful pocket. All in all this production choice fit the mood and idea of the song a lot better.

Q: Being from Atlanta, then living in both California and New York, which HUB has been most impactful on your creative process and produced the best music you've made thus far?

A: I would definitely say that LA is more productive when it comes to needing to decompress and get in the mindset of putting my story down on wax. During my time in LA, it sort of reminded me of Atlanta in that there’s nature everywhere, and less clutter, so I was able to step back and assess all of the things I had gone through both in life and in music. Who am I? What do I want out of making music? Questions like this consistently crossed my mind and translated into songs in different ways. New York on the other hand has always been more productive for me visually, and as the person who works on my own visuals I really enjoy collaborating here with photographers and videographers during the process of releasing the music.

Q: How has your experience of being a queer artist of color shaped your journey in music and what are your thoughts on it when it pertains to today's music industry standards?

A: Being a queer artist of color has certainly been a journey in itself because although I've always been open about queerness in my personal life, I used to think that in order to have a  career in R&B, it was something I shouldn't express online. I’m someone who seeks community in my creative life, so the internal conflict came in when I realized there was no way that I could find or build community in spaces I’m comfortable in without fully being honest with myself and how I express the different parts of me out in the world. I think that the industry, and individual people in the industry, could do a much better job at recognizing that in order for artists to deliver great music and be outstanding entities,  they have to be given the space to live life and become comfortable with publicly expressing themselves and how they move through the stages of their own personal development, in whatever way they see fit.

Q: What are some of the challenges and opportunities you face as an independent artist in the industry?

A: One conversation I often have with my artist friends is how ‘imposter syndrome’ can be the barrier between the artist seeing things from the outside looking in, and how this can hinder them from truly recognizing how to present themselves to the world. I had to fight past this, but I think that recognizing what my strengths are, and using these strengths have allowed me to find people that appreciate what I do, and how I do it. In the same sense I’ve connected with so many creative people who share similar visions as me, and this has opened up opportunities for collaboration and growth. Being independent also means that I have full control over my creative direction, and I can experiment with different sounds and styles without any pressure or expectations from anyone else.

Q: What are your plans for the future and what can we expect from you next?

A: Right now I’m working on my next project, which is a continuation of the themes and sounds that I explored in my previous EPs. I want to dive deeper into the stories of love, loss, and self-discovery that I’ve experienced in the past few years, and share them with my listeners in a way that resonates with them. I’m also looking forward to performing live again, and connecting with my fans and peers in person. I think there’s a lot of exciting things happening in the R&B scene right now, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

Stream “Collect Call” and follow James Bambu on his appropriate social sites @jamesbambu.

[antimonarchy]

How to Create Image Descriptions

So I’ve been creating image descriptions on tumblr for about a month, and I wanted to share some helpful guides I’ve found on how to create them as well as my own tips that I’ve picked up. Video descriptions and transcripts are also necessary, but since I mostly focus on image descriptions that’s what this guide is about. This might get a bit long, so fair warning. 

What are image descriptions?

Image descriptions are a textual depiction of what is going on in an image, as shown with the image below. 

[Image ID: A picture of a person with short black hair working on a computer. They are sitting at a wooden table with a large blue pot of pink flowers in front of a grey brick wall. A guitar is propped up against the wall in the background, and there is a string of lights near the ceiling. /.End ID]

Why create image descriptions?

The primary reason for creating image descriptions is to allow people who are blind/have limited vision to experience visual content. Many people who are blind/have low vision use screenreaders, which read text out loud when it is clicked or hovered over with a mouse. A large amount of online content, such as pictures, graphics, or drawings, is visual and so possibly cannot be experienced by someone with vision problems. As a general rule of thumb, anything that can be dragged or dropped most probably requires a description. In addition, if someone has partial vision and attempts to zoom in on an image, sometimes it can become pixelated and impossible to understand. 

Some neurodivergent people might need a description to understand the tone of an image, such as the meaning of facial expressions of a person to understand what emotion the artist is trying to depict

Some people might not have high speed internet or have low computer memory, meaning that they turn off images in order to save space. This means that they as well might require descriptions of visual content

Are image descriptions the same as alt text?

no, alt text and image descriptions serve the same purpose, but they are different in how they are presented. Alt text, short for alternative text, is included in the html of an image and can be read by a screen reader. However, there are many reasons why many prefer image descriptions over alt text. 

There is a limit of 200 words in alt text on tumblr specifically (and not in other contexts, which makes this information only applicable here), which means that detailed images or graphics are unable to be described fully without possibly cutting out important information. 

People who require descriptions, but who do not use a screenreader, must right-click and search through the html of an image in order to find alt text, but with an image description they are saved that work. 

Who should create image descriptions?

Everyone who is able to should create image descriptions. A content creator is best able to communicate the message of their work through text, as they are the one who created it and thus understand its message the best. While of course it takes practice when starting out, over time image descriptions become second nature when posting visual content. Always check the notes of a tumblr post for an ID rather than reblogging without one. 

What should be included in image descriptions?

There is no simple answer to this question, there are a variety of resources and guides on how to create one, and you should not accept my advice as the ultimate authority, as I am by no means a professional, and only create descriptions in my spare time as part of the effort to make Tumblr more accessible. However, here is my information for those starting out. 

First, consider what type of visual content it is. Is it fanart of a tv show, a screenshot of a tweet, or an informational graphic meant to educate people on a particular issue? 

Then, consider what information is most important in the image. If the visual content is an image of a famous building, then in writing the description the focus should be on the building, rather than describing for instance the color of the sky, surrounding buildings, or the clothing of the people walking by, as they are not the information that is being presented. 

Perkins ELearning has an excellent list of things that should generally be included, which I will include here. In my experience, these are the most important elements to describe

The people and animals in an image

The background or setting of an image

Elements that relate to the context specifically, so if it was an image of a congested highway on a news website, the description would mention the packed cars

The colors of an image (don’t overdo it however, a simple ‘light blue’ will suffice, no need to say something like ‘a color blue that is similar to the color of a robin’s egg’ unless it is crucial to the viewer’s comprehension of an image)

Context for an image. For instance, imagine if someone had drawn a version of the Bernie Sanders ‘I am once again asking’ meme, with Eleanor Shellstrop from the Good Place saying “I am once again asking for there to be a Medium Place.” Rather than provide a description to the example such as:                                          [Image ID: A drawing of Eleanor Shellstrop saying “I am once again asking for there to be a Medium Place.” /.End ID] you would instead say                                                                                                [Image ID: A redraw of the Bernie Sanders ‘I am once again asking’ meme with Eleanor Shellstrop from The Good Place saying “I am once again asking for there to be a Medium Place. /.End ID]

If the image is of a social media post, include the username/handle of the creator as well as the reactions (likes/reblogs) if they are visible in the image, as they may be cut off by the original screenshotter. 

If it is a drawing or piece of art, always look for the artist’s signature when writing a description

How do I write an image description?

To start off, here is an example description written for a piece of art I made myself. 

[Image ID: A digital drawing of Suki from Avatar: The Last Airbender over a gold background.  She is shown from the shoulders up facing the viewer, and has a neutral expression. She is wearing metal armor over a light green tunic, and is wearing her Kyoshi Warriors facepaint and headdress. The artist’s signature ‘Astra’ is written in the lower right of the image. /.End ID]

In this description:

I made clear where the description begins and ends, so that someone with a screenreader is not confused. I usually use brackets ([ ]), write the words ‘Image ID’ (or video/gif/other) and finish with a slash, period, and the words End ID. (/.End ID)

I emphasized the type of image, in this case a digital drawing

I said the character’s name (obviously this may not be known if describing a photo or something you are not familiar with)

I described the background and the character’s clothing

I described her expression

I included the description of my signature.

This is my basic process for writing a description

I first say what the content is, such as a drawing, photo, or screenshot of a tweet.

I then use what is called Object-Action-Context for the most part, which UXDesign has a long article on https://uxdesign.cc/how-to-write-an-image-description-2f30d3bf5546. For example, [Image ID: A photo of a person standing in a crowd waving to someone out of view in front of a river. /.End ID] While obviously I would usually provide more information than that, Person = object, standing + waving to someone out of view = action, and ‘in a crowd’ = context. 

I describe the clothing that might be worn

I talk about the position that people in an image might be in, such as leaning against one another on a couch, or standing with their fingers intertwined

I talk about the expressions on their faces, if shown

I talk about their general appearance (if important to the description) such as hair color/length

As said before, I talk about the context of an image if necessary

If the background is a simple color, I usually include it in the first sentence of the description. However if it is more complicated, such as a river winding through a dense forest, I include that at the end of the description after describing the important elements. 

Typically if I am reblogging an image, I do not add on any commentary after creating an image description, as this allows others to reblog my description without my personal reaction. If I want to add on to an image, I usually reblog my description post. 

In general, it is best to remain objective when writing a description, meaning not including your opinion of the content. However especially in an informal setting, say for instance you were describing an adorable cow, I would see it as fine to say [Image ID: A small drawing of an adorable cow. /.End ID] because the emphasis is on the appearance. There isn’t a clearcut answer, and it really depends on the context. 

What are some tips for writing descriptions/common pitfalls?

If there is an element of an image like a line that represents an emotion, or a sound effect like ‘clang’ if something falls, include that in the description. For instance, [Image ID: ...beside the mug that has fallen on the floor, there are the words ‘sploosh’ indicating the sound of the water that has spilled out. /.End ID]

Put image descriptions first. Don’t hide them under readmores or any other text. If you have something with multiple images and you are the creator, place the description under each image in succession rather than all at the end. Readmores are ableist, as they require someone who has vision problems/one of the conditions described above to do more work to access the message of visual content. 

If you are mentioning the skin color and/or race of someone in an image, make sure you describe it for anyone else who might be in an image. Don’t just describe the race of someone who appears to not be white. This doesn’t mean that you have to describe race, such as if the character is one whose race is commonly known, just that if you do, make sure you do it for all characters/people in an image. 

In order to write IDs effectively, I’ve found it useful to download a screen reader. I use NVDA, which is entirely free and easy to use and can be downloaded here: https://www.nvaccess.org/download/. 

Insert + Q turns it off

While my guide has focused mostly on image descriptions, video descriptions are also necessary. However they are not my area of expertise, and differ slightly, so I would recommend anyone interested in them to check out this website https://www.washington.edu/accessibility/videos/

Transcripts, for those who are d/Deaf/Hard of Hearing, are also necessary for making content accessible, and might be required for content that also has a visual format, such as a Tiktok. I would recommend this website https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/transcripts/ for anyone interested in writing transcripts

What are some more resources I can check out?

Here are a series of websites that I have found while researching how to write descriptions

UX Design -  I mentioned UX Design earlier when talking about Object - Action - Context, this article is very useful and examines how to structure a description and provides very useful examples for beginners

Perkins E-Learning - This article is very useful in helping someone what to include in a description, such as clothing or background information, as well as providing some additional information on alt text if you are interested

Meloukhianet - This blog post by s. e. smith goes into detail on the elements of an image to emphasize depending on its context, using the example of a picture of their cat sunning himself. 

SOAP - This article by the Stanford Online Accessibility Program (SOAP) provides a large amount of information on the purpose of image descriptions and what content requires them

HubPages - This article by SOTD and Zera discusses the difference between sparse, lush, and overdone descriptions, which is the amount of information included, and if/when each should be used. 

I hope you found this information helpful, I encourage everyone to check out these websites, and my inbox is always open for questions!