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.
"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"
I would either delete "I believe that" since it's a principle. If you perceive through that principle, you obviously believe in it. Maybe ". . . imitationalism, meaning that good art should imitate the real world".
And then the next sentence, I would delete "This is mainly because". I know you're trying to say that it was influenced by elementary school, but I don't know. This correction is something up to you.
"So it stands to reason", I think "Therefore," would sound better.
"However, upon closer observance, it was noticeable that the painting was actually made up of circles and squares." I don't know. The tense is a little iffy. The painting is still made up of circles and squares, no?
"More than anything though , Close's determination to continue his abstract realist art, despite his physical dehabilitation, gave me the conviction to persevere, (comma here) no matter what the circumstances."
"In this way, Chuck Close acted as an entrance to a larger and clearer view of art and life."
How about "I especially thank Chuck Close, who acted..."?
"Embracing abstractness has given me a more adventurous spirit and more imagination"
"...has given me a more adventurous and imaginative spirit"
"Now I know that it is okay to interpret a hat as an elephant being swallowed by a boa constrictor, or vice versa."
Oooh, I love this sentence. I think if you somehow weaved this into the beginning paragraph, the essay would be better.
Ah, thanks for your input! :)
I'll put up my edited version in a few minutes :P
