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My Artistic Journey

Mark Barsoum
November 16, 2020
210

My Artistic Journey

A quick presentation about my art experience so far! (was originally presented in PechaKucha format)

Mark Barsoum

November 16, 2020
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Transcript

  1. A quick presentation about my art experience so far! (was originally presented in
    PechaKucha format)

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  2. My first drawing at six years old that showed I had some potential. My sister
    thought it was pretty good so she made me cut it out and paste it in a sketchbook.

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  3. I kept drawing throughout elementary and early middle school. It was basically all
    fanart of cartoons and games that I loved.

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  4. When I was nine I took a "Cartooning for Kids" summer class at Otis College of Art
    and Design. Little did I know I'd be back 13 years later for my BFA.

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  5. I started losing touch with art in middle school and focusing more on my studies. I
    didn't really socialize or participate in extracurriculars, it was a pretty bland
    chapter of my life.

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  6. In high school I kept up my studies but started getting way more involved with
    activities like sports medicine, the tennis team, and school service/leadership
    clubs.. but still no art.

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  7. Senior year I took AP Studio Art but the teacher was a stoner and didn't really care
    what we did. So I didn't try and my work from that class was honestly embarrassing.

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  8. It shouldn't have come as a surprise when I got a 1 (out of 5) on the AP exam.
    Throughout high school I kept telling everyone I wanted to be an artist, but that
    test result was a harsh realization that I hadn't developed my skills at all.

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  9. I went to community college right after high school while all my friends moved away
    to various universities. I felt lonely and directionless and unmotivated.

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  10. After a few semesters I decided to finally take some real art classes and learned a
    lot about drawing fundamentals.

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  11. When it came time to transfer, my first choice was USC, but I'm glad I didn't get
    accepted. Otis ended up being a better fit for me (and more affordable).

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  12. The Otis transfer counselor advised me to take one more semester at SMC to get ahead
    but I was so burnt out at that school I ended up dropping all the classes
    unfortunately.

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  13. I started at Otis as a spring transfer in foundation year. For the first time I was
    surrounded by other artists who were equally and more skilled than I was. It was
    challenging but rewarding.

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  14. One of my most valuable classes was life drawing. I had always told others that I
    couldn't draw people but that class helped me realize that I just never learned how.
    Figure drawing is a lifelong learning experience though.

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  15. When it came time to choose a major I knew right away I would join Digital Media
    since I wanted to work in the animation industry. I also added a Graphic Design
    minor that was challenging in different ways.

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  16. Throughout my major studies, I learned a variety of skills and programs that had
    always seemed so far out of reach. Even classes that were a little off track from my
    career focus felt valuable.

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  17. I was lucky to get an iPad and download Procreate. The convenience of that app
    helped me level up my drawing skills plenty and for the first time, my work was
    starting to resemble the quality of artists I admired.

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  18. The summer after junior year, I felt like I needed to really focus on one skill and
    career track.

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  19. After a little deliberation, I knew storyboarding was my greatest interest. It
    combined all my strongest skills and would give me the opportunity to work at my
    dream studios since they all hire story artists.

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  20. So as my senior year comes to an end and the finish line is in view, I'm feeling
    confident that I can find success in the animation industry as long as I keep
    working on my craft.

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