Undergraduate / ART can be anything to anyone! ; What, How & Why do you make? Parsons [NEW]

As humans we always try to define, categorize, or stereotype something or someone. It is in our nature to try to comprehend every single thing that is around us. But haven't we realized we can't categorized and place everything inside a box.

I've always asked myself this. What is Art? And I have realized art can be anything and anyone. Art can coincide with anything because we human beings are living works of art created by God in his own image. Ever since I was a child my passion has always been art. To me art is a realm where I can escape reality and put my imaginary thoughts on to paper. The sketches that I have created I considered them to be an extension of myself. I try to incorporate my interests which include history, science, fashion, cartoons, comic books, music, and literature. When I'm creating an art piece I get inspired by different people who include my Grandfather who's a hard worker and a loving father-grandfather, Pharrell Williams for having inspirational statements and his influence in the art world, Takashi Murakami wide range of color usage in sculptures, painting and his concept of Superflat, and most of all I get inspired by my family and friends because they so diverse and have different personalities which I can incorporate in my art works.

The works of art I create is whatever pops up in my mind. If I see something that captivates me I just have to draw it. Most of the time I just dabble with different art styles to test myself and teach myself on skills I haven't learned. Sometimes I draw pictures that are strange and scary monsters to help me get over my fears. Other times I just create characters and fashion designs of who I want to be and what I want to wear. How I create my artworks is by first having a vision in mind. Then I start creating various sketches and pick out which features of each sketch I'm pleased with and start working on my final sketch.

The reason why I create art is because it's a personal challenge for me. It doesn't matter if a person hate my art works or says its plain, as long I love what I create I'm content. Through art I've learned new skills that have helped me progress along the way. As I've grown as an artist, i've found that this drive for perfection has infiltrated all parts of my life especially in school. Art has taught me never stop trying, always be yourself and you can improve on different skills. After getting an education from Parsons I see myself getting an internship at a highly respectable company. Getting the internship I hope to make a name for myself throughout the company and get promotions until I reach the position I want which is Creative Director. After receiving the Creative Director's position I hope to start my own company as well keep my current position.

Undergraduate / "Guns don't kill people, people kill people"; Suny Common App [6]

It was December 14, 2012, and the News was flooding. Each channel I turned to had Ground Breaking News with headlines like: "SCHOOL SHOOTING, SCHOOL SHOOTING! at Sandy Hook Elementary School" and "27 DEAD".

That's what I was hearing when I arrived home from school at 1:35pm. After hearing more information on the news about the weapons that were used in the shooting, (three semi-automatic firearms, a 223-caliber Bushmaster XM-15 rifle, a 10mm Glock 20 SF handgun and a 9mm SIG Sauer handgun), I had heard there was a shotgun found in the shooter's car parked in front of the school. In my mind I thought, "Is this man going to war in Iraq? The weapons used in the shooting weren't your typical weapon for hunting except for the shotgun found in the car." It became clear to me that there was tremendous issue with guns in our country. Not with guns itself, but semi-automatic assault rifles type guns being distributed and sold. And the outcome of this is guns are ending up in the wrong hands of people who miss use them.

Also there had been a pattern of school shootings in the United States dating back to the 1700s. Such as, when four Lenape American Indians entered a schoolhouse, they were shot and killed by schoolmaster Enoch Brown. Every year or every two years there has been a school shooting or a public massacre happening in the United States that doesn't receive the coverage it deserves. Many people ask themselves, including myself, "How are these children and young adults acquiring these types of weapons?" Many of the children and young adults who get their hands on guns do so because their parent or family members are not securing their weapons, making it easy to obtain. There are also those people who have gun licenses who go to gun shows and buy bulks of semi-automatics and assault rifles and distribute them into the streets where anyone can obtain them for a high price. And then from there buyers just keep on reselling and the cycle never ends.

In my opinion I agree with the NRA slogan "Guns don't kill people, people kill people," because a gun is a weapon that is controlled by a human being you have to pull the trigger for something to go off. But at the same time the United States government should go to the legislative and the Supreme Court and rewrite the second amendment explaining and limiting the type of guns that are allowed to be sold in the United States. The NRA should band together with the United States government on cracking down on weapons being sold illegally on the streets, and limit the amount of guns a person can own. They also should start advising gun shop owners to do a thorough screening and background checks on gun buyers and future buyers so people can't acquire guns so easily.