Entry 10: A Tough Road?

As I have mentioned in my last post, I been discussing about my project with Ms. Miller from the gallery. To explain with more details, I was recently informed about a reception of the sculpture garden, that will hold on the same Saturday of our planned show. I thought that could make a lot of things very inconvenient. She said having a one day show could work fantastically but I would prefer a show that lasts more than a day. So I suggested, "How about a week before that?" And she said she will look into it. I am still waiting until March 2nd, which I have no problem of. She also confirmed that a bake sale is allowed with music. The profit of the bake sale will add up to our profit for the donation.

Ms. Miller mentioned how it might be hard to display and take down art two times for the two day show but I really have no problem with that and I am sure other artists are willing to help. They are really supportive and helpful

Today, I will meet with fellow artists including Ted, Kailey, Ryan, Tiffany and Katie to discuss about which charity we want to make donation to. Other artists, I will send them an e-mail.
I really feel a need to organize all the art works. I do have some of them but I know I also need to make information tags for the each works. But that should come later.

Entry 09: I Need Some Slaps In The Face

I been very unproductive lately. I know this can not be an excuse, but I been sick and depressed. However, I know this can not hold my back any longer. So I fired up my motivation rocket today.

Since I missed English WISE meeting yesterday, I dropped by the class and picked up the paper I have missed. The paper was a basic guideline about who and how should the students interview for the project. I am a bit lost about the interview. But I am sure I can ask Ms. Taylor about local artists who would be perfect for this.

I did not visit Mr. Takahashi last week, so as I got back to school today, that was the first thing on my list to do. So I visited Mr. Takahashi this lunch to ask for Mr. Chin's contact so I can ask him to be my outside mentor and perhaps my career mentor, but that is another story.
I told Mr. Takahashi how I have been doing some research on Mr. Chin. He said he will see what he can do. He said he will contact him but I insisted that I contact him. I know it should be me who is contacting him since this project is all about me being an adult.

I been discussing about the show with Ms. Judy Miller from the venue. It seems like they have an event on the Sunday we were thinking about having a show so I was thinking about moving the show a week earlier. Ms. Miller said she will talk about it with other managers.
Also, we are allowed to use their display aids, have music and baking sale. How fun! Ms. Miller is going on a vacation now so I have to wait but meanwhile, I shall start on the interview and other assignment for senior project.

Entry 08: Alan Chin

Unfortunately, I could not meet with Mr. Takahashi this week. But I will talk to him next week after the four day weekend. I am still on my search for the outside mentor. I really need to ask for his contact from Mr. Takahashi.
I did some research about Alan Chin, and I could find a helpful article from, what do you know, Blueprint, the school news paper.

An explosion of neon greeted anyone lucky enough to stop by the California College of the Arts’ Isabel Percy West Gallery between December 5 and 12. When viewers stepped into the gallery, they truly fell into Subconciousness, which was incidentally the name of Lamorinda legend Alan Chin’s showpieces.
   The show was based on states of subconsciousness and consciousness. Chin used his dreams as inspiration and guidance for his pieces.
   “What I’m doing is taking work from my dreams and from reality and reworking them because they keep existing differently in my dreams,” said Chin. “So I keep reworking them in reality and [I] try to get them to the point where they look like what’s in my dreams.”

As I surfed around the web more about Mr. Chin, I have discovered, this person is not just a local artsy fartsy man from Acalanes; he certainly is a big deal, a real artist who is making money and fame.
Alan Chin is active in San Francisco Bay Area, showed talent and passion in art since he was a child. And he attended California College of Arts! My number one college I wish to attend! He is only in his early twenties, and already achieved so much.
I was thinking, that I would love to ask him to be my mentor. He is perfect.
On Tuesday, I will meet with Mr. Takahashi and remind him about Mr. Chin's contact. I am looking forward to contacting him because he can not only be my outside mentor but a serious art mentor.

Entry 07: Another Day

Today, I had my meeting with Mr. Takahashi. He was glad to hear that I finally got the venue.
Now it is time for me to get on to my next mission as I told him, getting a third space mentor.
Mr. Takahashi was kind enough to mention and recommend a possible mentor for me. An Acalanes alumni just had an art show recently so he might be a perfect mentor for me. I remember he was on the Blueprint Newspaper some time ago. I am excited to receive more information from Mr. Takahashi soon. I feel ashamed of not remembering his name. 
If he does not work out, I am planning on contacting Ms. Carbonne to see if she is available. I know she is occupied with traveling and spending time with her love one but I think she would be another perfect mentor.

I also replied to the gallery today, informing them about the date of the show I am thinking about and if Kailey's friend can have a mini bake sale that would also contribute to the general profit for donation for a charity.
I also came up with an idea of having a desk there where I do some art work and sell them. That would be fun. Speaking of which, Tiffany, one of the artist of the project have told me that she does not want her art work to be sold. So I saw the importance of making sure to labeling each art work if it is on sale or not.

Ryan showed up at school with his cello today and was playing it wonderfully. Amazing thing is, he only started playing since last Christmas so obviously, he has a hell of a talent. I suggested that he play his cello at the show and he agreed and said that was what he was thinking of doing.

Everything is going well so far and I hope I keep it this way.

Entry 06: Can it be more exciting than this?

Ever since the meeting with the Lafayette Gallery, I was anxiously waiting for the response.
What do you know, I got the response I wanted!
As I was checking my e-mail at lunch, I got an e-mail from one of the authorities from the gallery.
This is the e-mail that got me jumping up and down:

Hi, I'm glad to report that you and Kailey are welcome to have your Outside Art show in our parking lot.  Come up with some preferred dates in April or May and we will find a date that works for you, the Lafayette gallery and the Art Room. Should be a fun event.

Judy Miller

I have not replied yet but I am thinking that early April would be a good time. The moment of me getting the e-mail was probably the most progressive moment of this project. We finally have a venue. We have a platform to build our dream now. This is incredibly exciting.

I am now more excited to talk to Mr. Takahashi now. And speaking of mentors, I really need to contact either Glenn or Ms. Carbonne about being my mentor. I should get on that very soon. It seems like most of my English WISE classmates have their third-space mentor now.
When I reply to Judy's e-mail, I must not forget to ask if there is any charge since they have not mentioned it yet. But I am sure they are willing to help us out with the event since they are aware that we are just high school students.
I contacted all the artists in the project about the good news and everyone's very happy and excited as much as I am. I see a light of hope now contrast to before I got the e-mail; it is a great feeling.
I can not wait to tell my parents too since they have been so supportive of my senior project.
Now that the biggest problem is out of the way, I shall focus on my research paper and my interview. I have good deal of optimism now.
Also, I was thinking we might need some more art pieces in the show but that should not be so hard since I know many talented artist around.
My mind is busy day dreaming about the future event and what it would look like. There would be good art on display and Ryan would play music as people slowly walk, looking at all the great works. I would invite all the teachers and people I know. I would create the event on Facebook and it should be so much fun!

Entry 05: Had my meetings with the possible venue!

Last Friday, I made a good progress in this project! After school, Kailey and I went to Papillon in Downtown Lafayette with our group portfolio.
We met with the manager who I have talked on the phone before, and the meeting was going swell as I flipped through the pictures of the group's art work in the laptop. We both explained who we are and what we are up to. As we introduced ourselves as Acalanes students, she said her daughter is also an Acalanes student.
I also explained to her that the current collection we have right now shows more less what level of skill we are working with, and there might be several more works joining the collection in the future.
The manager liked most of our art works except for the ones that are a bit dark. She said some of the photography works were "not for coffee shops" but she liked all the other works. However, the manager told us later that they are all booked up for 2011, and she could get us a show in 2012. Kailey and I looked at each other with disappointment. Our vision of people seeping coffee and gazing into the hung art works were gone. However, the lady said she will keep us posted just in case someone decides to cancel a show. So we left our contacts to her and left the cafe.
Kailey and I talked about how hopeless we are now that we lost one of our favorite possible venue. I was very reluctant to ask the library for a venue since they have so many red tapes.
Last year, my friend Hayden tried to have a show in the library, and although he got a signature from one of the authorities, right when he was about to do it, other authorities disagreed to let him have a show.
Library seemed like an unsafe possibility to me at that point and I started to regret choosing my senior project as having an art show. Cynicism and anxiety took over me. "I am just a high schooler artist wannabe; what was I thinking?"
Then all sudden, Kailey pointed her finger at the Lafayette Art Gallery which was right across the road. I was a bit cynical but I decided to give it a try. As we were crossing the street to get to the gallery, I saw a big empty space around the gallery. I could imagine the show being outdoor. We could get some aisle, or something to hang the works. We could have Ryan playing his guitar at the bench. It could be a mini festival and since it is right by the Chow's, we could attract a big crowd.
With some excitement, we entered the gallery, and met the gallery lady who was very nice. We explained who we were and what we were up to again, and showed her our art works just like we did at Papillon before. While I was flipping through the works, the lady made me stop and said that she already knows that we are fantastic and does not have to see more of our works and I do not think that she was lying. She really liked our idea of us having a show. She also thought giving all the profit to a charity was great. Kailey and I started to smile as things started to look brighter.
The lady said after the meeting on Monday, she will get back to us on Tuesday. Not only that, she said she could see if they could lend us a hanging aid for our works for free!
With high optimism, she took our contact and wished us luck with a smile that made my day.

Kailey and I stepped out of the gallery and gave each other a high five with joy. Although it was not sure yet, I was glad to have another possible venue with a good chance.
I can not wait until I have my meeting with Mr. Takahashi. By the time I see him, I hope I know the result of our request.

Entry 04: Had My Meeting With Mr. Takahashi

So I visited Mr. Takahashi today to make up the meeting.
I explained what I been doing since our last meeting and it seems like he is fine with what I have been doing. I saw many nods of approval.
His point was basically to keep trying and he thought it was good that I was considering alternative venues rather than the library alone.

We both agreed that I should try my best to have the show in Lafayette, as I mentioned how my plan b would be having the show somewhere outside the town. However, as he knows, that would complicate a lot of things.

I am planning on saving all the art works in my dad's laptop and bringing that with me to all the meetings I have on Friday. I have several portfolio presentation this year and presenting art works is not a hard thing for me, which makes this very easy.
I have already collected most of the art works from other fellow artists in the project. Most of them were on the web already so it is very convenient

I am very nervous about the Friday. The next meeting I have with Mr. Takahashi will be very important.

Entry 03: Slacking Off Already!?

Today was incredibly unproductive.
I not only was late to my Senior Project Meeting, I did not have my meeting with Mr. Takahashi.
Mr.T and I arranged our meeting today after 6th period, and as it sounds ridiculous, I for got.
"I forgot" is something I never wanted to say doing this project, and there is no excuse for what I have done or not have done today.
I am planning on going back to Mr. T tomorrow and asking for another meeting this week so I can talk about all the things I have done so far since our last meeting.
Last Thursday, Kailey and I have talked about putting another place on our possible-venue list. Papillon, is a cafe in downtown Lafayette and Ms. Taylor have told us about the lady who is a manager of the cafe. The lady is known for being generous for other artists who seeks to exhibit their art works.
I called her number and the lady did not say "yes" but said she would like to look at some of the art works that would be in the exhibition.
So set up a meeting for the next Friday to see her on 2 o' clock. This Friday is going to be very busy after school instead of relaxing with friends. I also need to meet with the lady from the library for the same business.
After this Friday, there shall be many changes in the project.