report

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This is a graded discussion: 50 points possible due Jul 3 at 8am

Online Report 1: Identity as Melange 16 16

Online Report 1: Identity As Melange

Original Reports must be posted on time; Original Reports submitted late will not be accepted for evaluation.

Bonus Follow-up Posts will be accepted up to 72 hours (3 days) after the due date for Original Reports.

Link to the complete instructions for Online Report 1

You may review the Evaluation Rubric for this assignment here.

It can be hard to be the first person to start a discussion; so, to help things along, I've posted my "Identity As Melange" report to start the conversation. ----- Janet Hartranft

Change Is Constant

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Change is Constant

The phrase “change is constant” has been attributed (and mis-attributed) to a number of people and I’m sure that everyone has encountered it in some form or fashion. The idea of “change” is something that is very much on my mind right now as I approach entering a different phase in my life that, most definitely, promises dramatic changes. The objects included in my melange speak to important aspects of my life both past and present and, with anticipation, to the future. The clock is placed centrally as a reminder that time is passing and that every moment I live should be precious to me. The understanding that time is, indeed, precious is something that I developed only after I came to that moment in my life when I realized there is less time ahead of me (to live) than what I had already experienced! Surrounding my clock are objects that remind me of “change” in other, more metaphoric ways. The little easel containing a postcard of a painting of sunflowers by VanGogh (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Sunflowers_%28Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art%29.jpg) makes me smile because it reminds me of the gardens that surround my home and how much pleasure I have taken in designing and caring for them over the past 25 years. Gardens remind us of the passage of time and the seasons in so many ways. The little girl postcard is both strange and funny (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/about- us/history/vintage-photos/index.htm) . It was created in 1938 and portrays the child receiving a “home permanent.” For me, though, it reflects how many different tasks I feel I have to complete as I sit on top of a bunch of other things I have yet to sift through. The necklace might seem an obvious reflection of a love of jewelry but it’s a bit more than that—I create jewelry and this particular piece is one of the first pieces I created years ago. It reminds me, yes, of my love for jewelry design but also of the need to always work on my design and technical skills. There’s always room for growth and improvement in those areas of my work. The final object is the most enigmatic….the framed “155” reminds me of a very important time of transformation that happened in my life about 5 years ago. It represents a major achievement and one that I wish never to forget or to allow to dissipate. The “155” is a constant standard for me to hold on to and to keep present in my life….no matter how much time lies ahead of me. The sum of these objects reflects key aspects of who I am and how I see and live my life. In selecting them, however, I realized that five objects alone could not possibly encompass the totality of who I am. At best, they present a glimpse, a slivered slice of my life and that’s really all that any of us can offer….

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(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6807789)Seth Davis (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6807789)

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Edited by Seth Davis (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6807789) on Jul 2 at 11:04am

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Everything has its origin, just like a chicken comes from an egg or an apple comes from a seed. As I use the 2 boxes for this composition from where my jewelry came from. Gold is a luxurious color and catches the attention of others. I love to accessorize and these items are valuable to me not because of its texture and what its made out of. More likely these items have sentimental value because they were given as a gift to family members. Time is treasurable amongst everyone. This is why I chose the rose gold watch. My grandfather and my father both would wear watches. Its very rare for me to see people wear watches. It seems like technology took over that trend as people wear apple watches. Its old fashioned to me when I wear this watch because a few amount of people do not wear actual watches. Time is the concept in my still life composition. The gold necklace that could be symbolized as ancient Egyptian art. Gold was the initial color throughout that era. Golden artifacts that were valuable to Egyptians and all around the world. which is why it is next to being the expensive stone. The black bracelets that I also wear most of the times I go out. These objects reflects on who I am and what catches my eye as an artist. Still life are my favorite especially because I love to paint still life.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6904901)Thomas Rosenow (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6904901)

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Hey Seth- didn't know you were in this class! This is Tom, from Painting.

I really dig the composition you've presented. The way these golden objects are draped against the black and white boxes reminds me of an advert I'd see in a magazine- or maybe an Instagram "influencer" flexing on me. Lol. It's also interesting how you've juxtaposed two more "flashy" accessories against the subtle black bracelet that you wear more often.

In terms of your description, I would have enjoyed reading more about which watches were passed down to you. I found that bit engaging because I have a couple pieces of clothing handed down from my grandfather and it's fascinating how these objects can come with memories embedded into them.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6628450)Abeer Alghamdi (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6628450)

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Blessings Abound

The majority of who I am is a result of others support and contribution to my life. My identity is constantly influenced by people and objects that I am blessed to have in my life. My niece gave me the card with the

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Edited by Abeer Alghamdi (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6628450) on Jul 2 at 12:04pm

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drawing of two stars. I look at it every day. It serves as a constant reminder of the love and appreciation in this world and it makes me feel joyful and hopeful. I chose to include a salt lamp to convey my still life because I always have it on when I go to sleep. It gives me a more positive and peaceful feeling at night and creates a sense of warmth. No matter what difficulties and changes I go through, this salt lamp is a symbol of stability as it will always be a part of my life and will be turned on when I go to sleep at night. I also included my perfume because I love good scents, they energies me and are able to instantly lift my mood. As a college student I am not always able to dress up, but I am able to put perfume on and instantly feel great while saving time, which I also value. I also included a pencil because writing is a very big part of my life since it enables me to learn and to express myself. My glasses are an important part of the melange because they remind me to appreciate the blessings that I have. Being able to see not only helps me complete basic tasks easily, it also enables me to see the beauty in this world and the people and things I love! I am also grateful for the flower in the representation of my still life because on one rough day, a stranger walked over to me and simply handed me this flower. This flower represents how we can easily contribute to others’ lives and make a difference. I also appreciate nature, and the beauty and color of flowers. My still life representation as a whole comes together with the contribution and interaction of each individual object within it. The “wholeness” of my still life conveys that the way I am is not merely the result of my own effort, but the result of a combination of different factors including gifts, items I am blessed to have, and people I value and appreciate.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6687484)Michael Santa-Maria (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6687484)

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These are the questions that force you to stop and think. Who are you? What makes you you? It’s a very revealing question, we spend most of our time trying to change our outward appearances for others, but this question forces you to strip yourself of all outside influences and analyze your true self. Each item that I picked to represent who I am symbolizes a defining characteristic that makes me who I am. I chose my Credence Clearwater Revival vinyl album to show that I am old soul. My parents bestowed their love of classic rock music on me and it has defined the person I am. It makes me think of when I was young and fell asleep every night to classic rock radio. I choose a game ball from my football team to show my love I have for sports and competition. To remind me that hard work and persistence pays off. I included a watch that my father gave me to show the importance of family in my life. Reminding me to remember the people who came before you and how they have helped you. I included a few poker chips that I keep in my room, to remind myself to take risks and gamble on myself. Life isn’t meant to be safe, sometimes you need to take a chance and go for it. Lastly, I included a Matryoshka doll. While you may not be able to tell by looking at it, the Matryoshka doll has several other dolls hidden inside of it. It was gift from my aunt. It always reminds me that no one is as they seem on the outside. A person is so much more than their outward appearance. I really enjoy looking at the composition I created. It makes me think of my life, and the items all convey a feeling of comfort. I think as a whole the items

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don’t really make much sense together, but that’s the way it should be. There’s nothing simple about a person, we evolve over time and our preferences change. I think my still life conveys that my world is constantly changing. I can be a different person day to day because I’m willing to take risks and take chances. But most of all I’m not afraid to be who I truly am, I don’t run from it I embrace it.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6787654)Terry Caruso (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6787654)

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There are so many things I could’ve added to this picture to show what resemble me and what I look at and see everyday that has meaning to me. But these five things are what I find most valuable and push me to become a better person then I was the day before. Starting with the necklace and cross. This was a gift from my grandfather when I turned 16 and since then I have always worn this or kept it with me wherever I go in life. This resembles family and god to me and something I will always have. The book “Mind Gym” is something I read years ago that a coach gave me but keep it by my bed because of the lessons it has taught me. It’s taught me many life lessons such as “It’s all about the journey , not the outcome.” Also “you must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world.” These are just some quotes I live by every day. The number 11 picture is something that means a lot to me as well. This was my dads’ favorite number, and this has always been mine. At my sister’s wedding this was our table number just because she knew we loved this number. I look at this every day to remember my sister’s wedding, my dad, and my baseball number. The picture of my parents is something that gives me hope to be happy and love someone else. They are my two role models and without them I don’t know where I would be this has always been in my room to show me that love is real since they’ve been together over 25 years. Lastly, I have my second place baseball medal from high school. Although we fell short of being state champions, I keep this in my room to remember all of the guys I played with and the journey we had. We were never a good team in high school and nobody expected us to be there in the first place. These are just a few things I posses and look at everyday to remember my goals and not to get too down on myself ever.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6677569)Michael Fox !

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6677569)

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Who exactly am I? Where is my place? Reflecting upon those questions oft results in contradiction. I like to imagine myself an artist, except asking what I do is more likely to lead to logistical answers. I am a programmer and mathematician. My favorite aesthetics are those that are dated with natural elements, and yet you will often find me encircled by the newest and latest technologies.

A sustain pedal rests at the forefront of my image. I enjoy expressing myself through music, a fact that led me to teach myself how to play the piano. Pressing down on the pedal grasps the notes from the air, holding onto them as they breathe outward with dreamlike quality. The sound gradually fades, similar to my own nostalgia.

Towards the back is a pot of planted rosemary. When it comes to creating something, I am a very DIY kind of person. I enjoy cooking as much as I do gardening and refuse to garnish any dish with an herb I have not grown myself.

Alongside my plant sit a series of objects relating to each other. A teacup from one of my mother’s tea sets, a teapot I purchased in England, and a tin of Chinese jasmine tea. I try to be a welcoming person. Regardless of your story or where you come from, I am willing to accept anyone. I typically take tea twice a day, and one of my favorite ways to get to know someone new is to invite them to exchange words over a warm cup.

At the heart of the image is my personalized pen and diary. At the end of each day, I always turn to its pages and write. It could be anything: a passage about my experiences, my current emotions, or drafts of poems I may or may not revisit. It’s a simple yet constant piece from my everyday life, and a focal point for my own reflections.

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The green board is a Raspberry Pi. It’s a computer board that I use to practice coding. As a computer science major, it’s hard to escape the grasp of these machines. The cables seek to ensnare all I take part in and yet they are cables I set in place nonetheless. Much of my life has been about finding ways to connect the different facets of my own identity. I was born during the rise of the modern PC and dawn of the internet, both of which now shape our modern world. I use these tools to try to make sense of my own mismatched identity while also using them to share that with others. Sometimes these cables make genuine connections. Sometimes it’s just a mess of wires. Regardless of which it may be, I will always try to implement them.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6817211)Robert Senger (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6817211)

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“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching”. When I look at the collection of items that I gathered, I realize how different my life has become. Twelve years ago, I purchased my house by myself, and I drove a Harley. I had no other worries in myself except for making money and supporting the lifestyle I wanted. The items I would have chosen to represent myself twelve years ago would have been completely different than those that I chose today. At the foundation of my still life, I chose my work notebook. I am a project manager, and I consider this the foundation of my daily life because I use it everywhere I go. It is so crucial to my day because I write about every single meeting and specific project in this notebook. If I lost this, I would feel truly lost at work. I also included my work pencil, and specifically, the clip that is attached to the pencil. I have had this clip ever since I started my job 15 years ago. I wear this clip with my pencil on my shirt every day that I go to work. It has been worn so much that the emblem on the front has worn off. The notebook and pencil are two things I never leave home without. Another thing that I included is a picture of my wife and I on our wedding day. This is displayed in my home office, and it reminds me of the foundation of our family. In addition, I included two passes to our local amusement park, Waldameer, because my son and I like to go there throughout the summer. He is only two years old but he loves to go on any ride that he can. We like to go there even for just an hour or two, eat, and ride some amusement park rides. We have made so many memories going to Waldameer that those passes are two things I really cherish. Finally, I have my infant daughter’s first toy. She is almost two months old, and this toy signifies the first of many memories we will start making. My still life is just a glimpse into my hectic but fulfilling life.

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(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6860979)Yoojin Bin (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6860979)

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Who am I? Defining myself is difficult. However, I got a hint about myself from the objects I have. Love from many

people influences my identity. The reason why I can be here is thanks to many people’s love and support. The objects that I

brought are important in my life both past, present, and the future. The first object is letters. My parents and friends gave

me a letter when I left Korea. When I was frustrated or had a hard time in the U.S, I always read the letter. The letters

encourage me not to give up. Through the letter, I realized that I am not alone, and there are many people with me. Also, I

wear the shoes in the picture every day. Those were given by my best friend as a birthday. It was very impressive to me

because she spent her money on a gift, and she knew that I love running shoes. Like shoes protects my foot, my best friends

or family protect me from the frustration and suffering because they are always on my side. Next object is polaroid

pictures. I stuck it over the wall beside my bed, so I could see the pictures every day and come up with the good memories

easily. Through the pictures, I could be thankful that my life is full of many good people. Next object is my precious

necklace. This necklace is given by my mother for celebrating becoming an adult. When I put my necklace, I am thankful

to my parents for their sacrifice and love and I can feel their love. Lastly, the Bible is the most important thing in my life.

As a Christian, I believe that God made me, guide me, and love me every day. This is my faith and energy in my life.

Without God, I think I can’t do everything. Also, I believe that everything, even my body or my lifetime, is coming from

God. I could not say these objects are fully explaining who I am, but it shows that relationship is very important in my life.

Many relationships are forming me and influencing my life. My whole life has made by the love of God and many people.

Thanks to the love from them, I can live today, I can love others, and I can live with appreciation.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6684287)Daniel Mcosker (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6684287)

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It took me a while to come up with these items that were supposed to represent me. This was something that I had to seriously contemplate. Any little break I got at work I used as a reflection to determine my identity. The thing that came to mind for me right away as my identity is family. In the picture, this is represented by the watch and the gold mezuzah. These were both items that were passed down to me from family members. Both of these items are more valuable to me than the gold they are made out of. The speaker in the back is another way of connecting with my family. Most of the members of my family are musicians. Music was a medium that

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brought us even closer together. I do not personally play any instruments, but music is a major part of my life and always will be. Another item I included in the photo was a pool ball. Not only is family important to me, but my friends are also a huge part of my life. Recently we all started playing pool together. It was somewhat a random thing we started to do, but out of it grew one of the best bonding experiences in my life. Through pool, I grew closer to a group of people I barely knew at first. The final aspect of this photograph that encapsulates my identity is the protein shake. One of the most challenging aspects of my life has been losing weight. It caused multiple problems and affected my confidence throughout my entire life. One thing in the past two years that has defined who I am is my fitness journey. Since starting I have lost about eighty pounds and feel better than I ever have both physically and mentally. The protein shake is only a representation of that journey and the struggles I faced both before and during the process.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6684601)Joseph Kolarik (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6684601)

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The items I chose represent a few things in life that I enjoy and or find interesting. To start off, cars and outdoors are my two biggest passion. I included my car keys and this piece of wood I found interesting on a hike. My keychain has the image of a skull and crossbones which has its origins from the 12th century. I think it's interesting how that same image today has very little meaning but back then it evoked feelings of terror. The skull and crossbones were used as pirate flags for many years. I also love finding objects I use every day that incorporate art. It's interesting to see how symbols meaning changes over time. In the background of my photo is my laptop case. I was very excited when I found it because of my love for space. When I look up into the starts at night it really makes me feel small, but I kind of enjoy that. I like thinking that out in the starts there is something bigger than us out there. Lastly is my passion for making and building things, that is why I chose to include a multitool in this photo. Every time I need to work on something I'm always grabbing for this tool. There is something about building something with your two hands. It is an experience very few people get these days. With the internet, everything we could possibly need and want just a click away. It's a shame that people have lost interest in building things because it expands a part of the mind that rarely gets used. Having an old car has taught me to become quite mechanically skilled. I am able to save a lot of money by doing repairs my self and I also enjoy doing it. It's amazing to see how simple everyday objects are very ordinary but they mean a lot to us.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6904901)Thomas Rosenow (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6904901)

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Like many other early 20-somethings, it feels as though my identity is constantly shifting. Despite this, I’ve tried to pick out 5 objects that can somewhat describe who I currently see myself as.

To start, I've chosen my painting palette as the “centerpiece” and foundation of this image. Right now, I feel as though painting is the core of who I am. It’s what I study, what I think about, and what I do. What I liked about this palette as an object is the juxtaposition between the sharp, curved border and the mixed-up chaos on its surface. I chose another art-making material, the pencil, because of my history of using graphite. My entire life I’ve drawn so this represents my background. I chose this pencil in particular because, while it has been sharpened, it still has a long way to go before it’s done. The backdrop is a T-Shirt I screen-printed last semester. I rarely work with text but this design ended up really appealing to me and the way it reflects my desire for calm. I think most people could probably use a reminder to just relax sometimes.

The water bottle reflects both my interest in sustainability and mental focus on acceptance. To explain, I just recently dented this bottle which was a bit of a bummer as it’s fairly new. However, I’ve come to appreciate that the dent gives this faceless cylinder a “front” and I often place my thumb there when holding it as a way of integrating this new "feature”.

The last object, hidden in the thumb-hole of the palette is a 50 Euro-cent coin. To me, this represents my

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commitment to maintaining friendships. I got this coin when visiting a friend from the Netherlands in 2013. We’ve since been close and, even though he isn’t a huge part of my life, I gladly take time to catch up whenever our schedules align. This coin symbolically applies to many of my other friends. While we may be far apart, technology allows us to stay in touch which I quite enjoy.

Regarding the overall composition, I chose to zoom in on this still-life for two reasons. For one, I appreciate the aesthetic. But also, I think it represents how this is only a pin-hole view into my life. These objects describe some of my identity but certainly not the full picture.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6834095)Samia Campbell (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6834095)

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Edited by Samia Campbell (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6834095) on Jul 3 at 12:01am

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My portrait is one about the balancing of good and evil. Morality plays a lot into my personality and I use a lot of energy in trying to sort things into right and wrong. This makes things difficult for me sometimes, but the end product is clean and simple as a result, just like this minimalist/modernist style portrait. The lamp on the left is all white and so is the ground and so is the contact lense solution. These all represent the angelic side to me, and they are placed towards the left. On the opposing end is my red Starbucks cup, enshrouded in darkness, and my Britney Spears Fantasy perfume. These objects are pops of color, both intriguing to the eye and a disruption to the peace of the white. That is what immoral actions represent to me. The perfume bottle is not red or white, it is a mix. In this sense it represents the moral grey in my life usually set aside for indulgent activities like an extra piece of cake. The bottle is small, likewise there is not a lot of moral grey in my life. The Starbucks cup could be taken to represent capitalism-my need to shop until those working in sweatshops drop. It is an extravagent item, with small hearts covering the entire thing. This could represent my confusion between love and belonging vs. owning pretty things. My Juicy Couture sunglasses are oddly placed on the lamp, they are round and dark and contrast against the whiteness of the lampshade. These might represent my inner turmoil against the white lamp, and my urging to disrupt the rigid morality that it establishes. Like a parasite it has attached itself, and come very close to the heart of its host: the lightbulb. The same way a tic would suck blood, the sunglasses shield a person from the light of the lampshade.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6804529)Sarah Meyerhoffer !

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6804529)

12:03am

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Work Life Balance

As I reflect upon the items I gravitate toward throughout my day, I see more and more how much my work and home life overlap, and how I carry them both with me almost all of the time. My “Mamma Bear” mug, a gift from my youngest daughter 2 years ago soon after she headed off to college, represents me in both my personal and professional life; always looking out and protecting the best interest of others, while encouraging independence, the key to success. My “Lemonade out of Lemons” mouse, the “I Can Explain It To You But I Can’t Understand It For You” magnet and the “When Pigs Fly,” help keep humor in my work and home life, letting the cynical and fun loving sarcasm out. Without it things would be way to serious all of the time, and we could also use more laughs in our life! Then there is Sudoku, which to many people is difficult and arduous, but to me represents order and simplicity. There is always a solution, no matter how hard. It’s calming and the perfect end to a long day with a big mug of hot tea, wrapped up in my hand knit Tree of Life blanket, and feeling the love my mom put into this as she was making it just for me. My philodendron surrounding everything is how I in vision keeping things tied together no matter where you are. This particular plant was from a cutting my grandmother gave me over 10 years ago before she passed, and has since been given to other friends and family as gifts to keep us all closer in spirit….I even have one in the office! Family has always tied everything together for me, even work oddly enough, which is why you’ll find my wedding ring in the middle. My husband and I met at work and both continue to work there after over 20 years….talk about overlap between work and home! As I look at this still life as a whole and not just individual items, I see a reflection of hard work and love which is needed in all aspects of life to be happy and find balance.

(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6844773)Isabella Araujo (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6844773)

12:44am

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I chose objects that I am constantly reaching for or have used over and over again. Specifically the sketchbook in the back of the photo is something I have held onto for the past year. It represents my innermost thoughts and creations, I use my sketchbook as almost a journal that’s a picture book. Some of the things I have created in real life but others will stay inside the book forever. At the bottom of the trail mix totem pole is a reused salsa can (which is my favorite salsa in the whole world) with a paint that I mixed myself. Being environmentally conscious is something near and dear to my heart, so I try to reuse most things from bottles to old candles. Above that jar is my most prized mug, my Seattle Space Needle mug. Seattle is one of the places I’ve been that has really stuck with me, I loved everything about it and enjoyed the time I spent there. One day I hope to move over to the pacific northwest. Snacks are one of my favorite things, but I always have trouble deciding because I enjoy eating something salty and sweet. Trail mix was the answer and continues to be my favorite snack of all time. The vessel underneath is my favorite pot that I have thrown and pained myself. I love how the lines flow so smoothly and effortlessly to create this mountain inspired design. I feel good when I look at this image, everything is something I have been exposed to for ample amounts of time. In a way this image seems like me, I stick to mostly neutral colors most of the time. It made me think a lot about the objects I interact with on a mostly daily basis and things that I almost never use. This image is nowhere near perfect but it still represents me which is also not perfect.

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(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6844773)Isabella Araujo (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6844773)

12:45am

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(https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6849334)Kelsey Barksdale (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6849334)

5:09am

Edited by Kelsey Barksdale (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1978446/users/6849334) on Jul 3 at 5:23am

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For my still life, I chose several objects that are important to me and signify me as an individual. My first object is a reproduction of the painting "Dance at Bougival" by Renoir. He is one of my favorite artists and I love his style of painting. Art has always been something that has inspired me and given me purpose. I enjoy seeing art, whether it's made locally, internationally, or online. My second object is a small figure of Mickey Mouse. The Walt Disney company has always been a special part of my life. Whether that means family vacations to Disney World, watching Disney movies over and over, and I even have a Disney tattoo! My third object is a tea pot. This item is significant to me because a family member bought it from the Sherlock Holmes museum in London. This gift combines my love of both tea and Sherlock Holmes books such as "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Valley of Fear." It will always be a treasured item to me. Also, my fourth object is a small succulent plant. I love having plants in my house, since nature is important part of my life. I enjoy going to parks, hiking, and exploring new places that I've never been before. The last object that I chose is a three legged pig, also known as a "chanchito." In Chile, they are known for bringing good luck and are traditionally given to friends as a token of goodwill. I received this item as a gift from my mom and will always treasure the meaning behind it. My family are the most important people in my life and I care about them deeply. Overall, I feel the composition I created shows what I consider important and meaningful in my life. Whether that means it's gifts I've received from people I care about or things I just enjoy having in my space. The still life as a whole showcases who I am as a person and the items interact together to create something new and interesting. The wholeness of the still life conveys not just important items, but different stories about my life.