Kexi Week 5 - Vomits of Color
I was unstoppable the moment I could wrap my little fingers around the sandy paper of a crayon; I began scribbling on every surface I could reach and covering it with vibrant colors that changed the plain, meaningless, white wall into a canvas of citric oranges, cyans, and cherry reds that perfectly reflected my imaginative mind. I felt rushes of joy weaving through my veins as I created something I truly found beautiful for the first time. I became utterly obsessed with bringing my ideas to life.
Predictably, my constant scribbling on our walls did not impress my parents. All they saw was our landlord shaking his head disapprovingly and our money slipping away with each line of colored wax stuck onto the house. I was luckily a pretty good kid, so I listened when they scolded me to stop tainting the pristine and perfectly blank walls with a “vomit of random colors” and use a sheet of paper. I was devastated. For one, drawing on paper sucked; second, they couldn’t see the artistic vision of my work that brought me delight.
Looking back, it’s clear that they appreciated my talent and wanted me to encourage me to continue it on paper—
but I felt like I NEEDED the wall as a part of my creative process.
So, despite my usual obedience, I ignored all their warnings and started sneakily drawing behind furniture. I yearned for the vastness of a wall that an 8.5 x 11” sheet of paper simply could not provide. The outcome was, expectedly, more scolding.
Yet, I believe my persistence of trying to maximize my creative potential reflects just how important art is to me in expressing myself. After I learned my lesson to use paper, not walls, I slowly found enjoyment in trying new mediums from juicy POSCA paint pens and glittery gel pens, to powdery pastels and buttery oil paint. Drawing became my primary outlet for my overflowing ideas, emotions, and imagination.
In a way, the process of rhetorical analysis can also be applied to artworks. A single drawing can yield multiple interpretations and meanings that can be analyzed by examining small gestures, expressions, and the use of colors, etc., that connect to a larger picture. This mirrors what we do with words, which are able to be formatted into a particular structure, convey different tones, and create rhythm, etc. that contribute to the micro- and macro-purposes.
Ever since I picked up that crayon, art has been my primary way of expressing my creativity and conveying my emotions throughout my upbringing.
What is your creative outlet?
Hi Kexi! Just like you, my earliest memories are of me sitting at my little desk with a crayon in my hands, creating a world of my own. Drawing has always been my creative outlet and it brings me a sense of peace that is unparalleled. I started off as a four-year-old taking lessons, and now, I teach kids with the same patience that transformed my seemingly meaningless scribbles into lifelike images.
ReplyDeleteI too felt restricted by my supplies, but in my case, my crayons were the culprit instead of the restrictive 8.5 x 11” sheet. Therefore, my parents expanded my tools until my cabinets held more art supplies than toys. I had paints, oil pastels, color pencils, gel pens, and markers. And, as I grew older, my collection did too. The materials became more sophisticated, now including charcoal, kneadable erasers, and pencils with varying levels of graphite.
I love how you connected rhetorical analysis—something I typically don’t associate with the calmness of drawing—to artworks. I agree with your connection of multiple interpretations through the emphasis on small details that work together to create a cohesive image, similar to macro-and-micro-purposes.
Your drawings are adorable and remind me of my artwork from when I was little. I would love to see your recent works!
Hey Kexi! I love how you describe art as something that goes beyond creating a picture and becomes a way of expressing yourself. The contrast between your parents wanting you to draw on paper and your desire to use the walls really stood out to me because it shows how difficult it can be to contain creativity within boundaries. I also enjoyed how you connected your personal experience with rhetorical analysis, explaining how individual details can contribute to larger meaning. Your description of experimenting with different art mediums shows how creativity is not always meant to be perfect but rather is a way to express oneself. I think your story reflects how something like a small hobby can turn into a form of self expression as you grow up. Not only do you carry something that has formed your identity but it is also a way for you to communicate with others who may share the same interests.
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