Try, Try, and Try Again

I bet all of you have heard these things one time or another.

“Nothing is perfect!”

“Don’t give up!”

“You can do it!”

No sugarcoating, no delay… sometimes it seems easier to throw the towel in. Sometimes, the art project you were so pumped for ended up in the dumpster. Sometimes, the recipe you were so excited about turned out trashy. Life sucks and things fall apart.

I’m speaking this to myself!

For over five weeks now (where did all the time go?), I’ve been in many deep valleys to adjust to college life. To date, this is such an exciting turning point and the toughest season for me so far.

I’m still an explorer on campus, a stranger to some classmates and teachers, and a food critic to new food. (Haha! But can I add that Ringling’s chocolate brownies are the best?!) All of this is like an adventure in a jungle. However, I do have many highlights.

First, it’s still surreal that this is now my campus. In the past, I drove and walked by these buildings and courtyards like a lone dreamer. Now, it’s crazy my dream has become reality!

Second, one of my professors became my best friend! ^^ It’s good to have a professor that cares about me and makes me smile. I’m so blessed to be in his class.

Third, I’m grateful to my precious mom, for all the “it’s going to be okay” cuddles, motivational pep-talks, and company in late-night homework sessions. Oh yes, and home-cooking too. Homecooked food is still the best in my opinion. Especially when it’s from Mommy! ^^ Her birthday is also coming next month so happy birthday mom… in advance! :D

I’ve been learning a lot about “Ringling-Reality” these past weeks. Persistence is an ancient lesson. I believe every hero faces this battle, even after happily ever after.

To survive Ringling’s rigorous program, I have to work extremely hard. Every time a problem is resolved, new problems wriggle their way in. I’m learning how to deal with the challenge is what makes or breaks us.

I want to encourage you and myself today: Through these harsh seasons, as hard and pressing as they are, let’s have a heart of gratitude, rest, and persistence. When we remember our blessings and cherish them, we find peace. This peace gives us the strength to go one step at a time.

It might be slow, it might stink, it might take grit, but as long as we keep moving (even if it seems like forever), we’ll slowly get out of the mire. Hence, in this week’s blog, I want to embrace failure.

I’m excited to share that I have started a new page titled “College Life.” I also updated Sketchbook. I feel so often it’s tempting to show polished works online. Though, I feel this dismisses the fact that we all go through valleys. Being an artist isn’t all about success. It’s also about continuous trying and training. These valleys are teachers themselves and direct us as we faithfully march on. It’s God’s grace that I, a girl of no artistic background, am here today at my dream college, and God will lead me through the challenges.

Hence, I thought it would be neat to showcase my favorite assignments. Maybe years down the road, I’ll hate them, but they are part of me all along. It isn’t about creating perfect art pieces but the process that leads to “perfection” or a better me.^^

One example is my recent work on a 2D Design project – “The Chase of the Croc and Ducks.”

You may see from below there is quite a change from the start!

Pass 1

The starting stage. :)

Here I learned that most contrast/darkest is at the front HOWEVER the least contrast/lightest is at the back. :)

Pass 2

This was not my finest moment. :(

Here I realized the importance of variation. The same crocodile head gets pretty old after awhile, huh? I had to push myself to go out of the box.

In my Value composition, I also learned less is sometimes more. Is the sun really adding to the composition? (No.)

In my Scale composition, I learned also that overlapping can also be a curse when used unwisely. That cattail by the crocodile's mouth was a mistake. That overlap of the crocodile by the Positive/Negative was also a strange choice.

I seemed to forget about my lesson about contrast as well. T_T

Pass 3

Much, much better.

Now, I have to just have to worry about good old contrast. Everything seems very dark too, could use some highlights!

Pass 4

This was my final product that I submitted.

I passed but it wasn't the grade I expected. Why? Silly mistakes. Notice the tangents? My professor also wished for more narrative, perhaps an eye for the crocodile?

Well, I did try. Big fail. Hence, I left it out!

Also I forgot to add the bright gray on the Leading Lines. See that patch of white? Oops! T_T

Pass 5

FINAL VICTORY! ^^ I'm massively happy with this... :)

Funny story about the eye - I almost didn't do it. xD Sometimes with just a little bit of grit and more trying, it finally snaps into place!

I learned persistence in cooking, too! Sushi is my favorite food, so my mom and I decided to make it at home. (Successful recipe here!)

This was my first attempt.

Yeah. Pretty embarrassing. (It was also hard to photograph.)

There were several disasters in this batch! The ingredients were delicious, but execution was unpresentable. We had cut the cucumber and avocado too thick, and seaweed snacks aren’t fit for making rolls. The rolls kept cracking and breaking. Result: zero-star sushi.

My mom and I got smarter the next time. Keeping the avocado thick for the ultimate creamy mouthfeel, we grated the cucumber and found bigger seaweed sheets. Moreover, I was more careful not overstuffing and not piling the filling, instead placing them next to each other.

Result? Much, much better.

Taking a good picture also made me smile! After lots of practice, this by far is the favorite food photo I’ve taken!

Last but not least, here’s the tree I painted recently and a year ago.

(See? You will improve, regardless of how slow it is!)

All in all, I constantly remind myself that God has already won all the battles for us. As I mentioned in my previous blog, He doesn’t just see us now…He sees who we will become. Being His child doesn’t exempt me from the pressures of life but knowing He’s my hope and my guide helps me to stand tall. I just need to keep trusting Him and know He’s with me in the fire. He didn’t leave me in the fire to have me burnt but as gold, to refine me. He didn’t leave me in the water to have me drown but like a plant, to grow. He didn’t leave me in the winds to get tossed but like His disciples on the boat, so I can know His peace.

Till next time,

Isabelle

"For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." ~ Proverbs 24:16