Undergraduate / Discovering my passion in art history [4]

Although I had long been interested in both the arts and in the histories and cultures of the world, it was not until I took Art History I on a whim that I realized that these seemingly disparate interests comprised an entire field of study.

My passion and fascination with art really began when I took fine line drawing class (of two) at Fairfax High School. Although I had enjoyed art class in elementary school and even taken afterschool art lessons with a private teacher, it was not until I took these classes that I discovered that artistic ability is not a magical talent granted only to specific individuals. I found that through practice and developing technique-and some inspiration-one could produce work that surpasses even ones own expectations. The real turning point came when I chose to research Matisse for an eleventh grade painting class. We were instructed to both write a short biography of an artist, and to reproduce one of his or her works. Matisse's bold and colorful expressionistic language made a big impression on me, and even in replicating his work I found a way to voice my experience.

When I began studying at Santa Monica College, I did not have a clear idea of what field I wished to study. I took seemingly unrelated classes that interested me, such as Anthropology, Astronomy, Photography, Ethnomusicology, and the History of Architecture.

I also extended my involvement in the arts and culture beyond classroom study of classical art to include volunteer teaching of Capoeira, and Afro-Brazilian martial art, dance, and music form, teaching Yoga to children at an elementary school summer camp, and volunteering at KPFK as an assistant musical engineer for a reggae show.

Through these experiences, I had a feeling that the material I was learning and the arts and music I was exposing myself to be connected and supplemented my understanding of other subjects I was studying at the time, but the exact connection eluded me until I took the History of India and Western Art History at the same time. I began to recognize similarities of materials and design being used on different continents at the same time. I discovered my disparate interests were really connected and that connection could be seen through the study of the history of art. Through these studies I was able to learn about the evolution of cultures around the world and to relate these different cultures, peoples, and eras. I was able to learn how the techniques I had learned myself fit developed and fit into the broader realm of history, and how I could relate my passion for art to the world we live in.

By continuing to study art history at the University of California I will have the ability to broaden my educational scope to learn more about ancient art forms including the design and development of ancient instruments, to continue to learn about architecture and to study artifacts found by anthropologists, and to study the spread and the influence of religion based on art. Whereas before I felt confused about choosing a major, now I am inspired by knowing that Art History connects to so many branches of knowledge that I have been so interested in.

Undergraduate / UC Gaining study skills for success [2]

One of my proudest accomplishments is learning to develop the skills to succeed at Santa Monica College and in other academic environments. These lessons did not come easily for me-I had to develop the willingness to seek help from those who could give it to me and ignore negative influences, even when they came from those I loved.

In high school I had planned to attend San Francisco State and to leave Los Angeles as soon as I had graduated. However, even though I had been accepted, my brother told me not to move away from my mother and my friends. I thought it would be easy to spend two years at Santa Monica College and then transfer to a UC.

College proved more difficult than I had expected. At eighteen, having the freedom to set my own priorities meant that I did not put my studies first when needed. I did not think it was wrong to take advantage of a sunny day, to spend time outside or to spend time learning a new talent. Because my mother had not gone to high school and I was the first in my family to plan to attend a four-year university, I had not known about or developed the study skills that I needed for the college success.

I refused to get help because I didn't want to admit that I needed help. My mother praised me for studying hard, but made me feel guilty if I missed family events. I wanted to be self-sufficient and thought that I could always go home and figure out anything that I had trouble with. However, to support myself, I working as a lifeguard from when classes ended until 9 at night, and then I rarely had the energy to continue studying.

During this time, I saw my grades drop lower than they ever had. I was not proud of my progress and I realized that I needed to make a change. I began seeing my TRIO counselor, Tomas Riojas, more. He saw my interests and helped me to make a schedule so I would give myself time to study and still do the things I loved doing. I learned to go to tutors and counselors when I needed help with something, rather than trying to do it or learn it on my own. I began doing my homework at the library or a café, instead of doing it at home where I would be disturbed.

It didn't happen overnight, but developing these skills gave me the ability to succeed in my classes. More importantly, I began to gain self-confidence-I learned I wasn't stupid or a bad student. It helped me get the most out of the classes that I was interested in and to be able to chose a major-Art History-that I feel truly passionate about and able to pursue.