Undergraduate / "Chuck Close." - Most inspirational character in history [3]

Please critique my essay~ I don't mind if you have any suggestions or find any errors :) Thanks!

I perceive art through the principle of imitationalism, meaning that I believe that good art should imitate the real world. This is mainly because since elementary school, we were always taught to draw as realistically as possible. Much like in The Little Prince, we were discouraged from putting our imaginations onto the drawing paper. So, it stands to reason that when my art teacher first introduced us to the "wonderful world of abstract art", I was displeased. Up to this point, I had created art to resemble the real world. Now, we were to choose an abstract artist on whom to write a paper and of whose style to imitate. As I researched the distasteful abstract artists, I became increasingly frustrated, and finally walked up to my teacher and told her that I could not submit to producing subpar abstract art. She said two words, "Chuck Close."

Much like me, Chuck Close started his artistic career as a photorealist, painting portraits that looked much like photographs. At first glance, the painting appears very realistic. However, upon closer observance, it was noticeable that the painting was actually made up of circles and squares. It had not occurred to me that it was possible to be both realistic and abstract at the same time. Chuck Close helped me to realize that abstract art is ubiquitous. This is because abstraction is a form of expression that can be interpreted in various ways. What one person perceives to be abstract may not be to another person.

More than anything though, Close's determination to continue his abstract realist art, despite physical dehabilitation, gave me the conviction to persevere no matter what the circumstances. Thanks to Chuck Close and my art teacher, I learned the value of thinking abstractly. In this way, Chuck Close acted as an entrance to a larger and clearer view of art and life. I no longer have the narrow viewpoint that paintings should only be realistic. Embracing abstractness has given me a more adventurous spirit and more imagination. Now I know that it is okay to interpret a hat as an elephant being swallowed by a boa constrictor, or vice versa.

Undergraduate / My bad points (laziness) too bad? Common application short answer essay [4]

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (150 words or fewer).

I admit that I was not the most diligent volunteer teacher for the three new Korean girls who attended our church. With vastly differing level gaps between them, I found that I had to conduct two different classes in the same period of time.I shied away from the workload because I was, frankly, lazy. At our first lesson, they stopped me at every other word, asking questions about why a word was used in that way, why it was spelled so strangely. At first I was irked with their constant questions, but I soon realized that they truly had a profound interest in perfecting their understanding of English. I saw their resolute and remembered the zeal that I used to have towards learning. After that first lesson, I slowly found myself reviving a love of learning and teaching. Ironically, as a teacher, I have learned more from my students than I have ever taught them. I learned that hard work is required to accomplish anything and that you should never underestimate the vehemence of three elementary school girls.

I feel like the essay is highlighting my bad points (laziness), how should I edit it to make myself more presentable? Thanks.