Project #1 Journal

I chose the subject of Chuck Close because I think that he is an incredible artist. Close suffered a rare and massive spinal artery collapse, became a paralyzed from the neck down, went through physical therapy and regained use of his arms and some use of his legs, yet he still relies on his wheelchair for day to day use and function. He re-learned how to paint by attaching a paintbrush to his hand and painting. Close works on such a massive scale (larger than life) and yet he is still in a wheelchair. It completely amazes me that he has still been so driven to continue his work after all that he has been through.

I used Powerpoint to make this presentation. I've worked with powerpoint before, so it wasn't anything new and fancy for me to deal with. I still have some troubles with certain things, as each year they update their software and things get changed and moved around. Powerpoint is fairly easy to work with, and I enjoy making decent presentations with it. I think it can really be utilized as a great teaching and learning tool, combining the aspects of visual presentation with verbal presentation.

One thing that I didn't like too much about this project is the use of transitions and audio and all. I used two videos for my audio, but I am a very simple, clean design type of person, and I feel that transitions are tacky, in a sense. I am sure they can be awesome if used well, but I just don't enjoy them. That was a struggle for me, was trying to make the slideshow look well while still adhering to the requirements. I also didn't make my slideshow very fancy, because I tend to feel that it can look nice, but will take away from the pictures and the point of the presentation. The point of the presentation isn't to look pretty, it is to inform your audience. Looking good is a bonus.

One thing I needed help in figuring out was how to import a youtube video into powerpoint. I've never done that before so I had to look it up on the internet and be taught how to. It was an interesting process to learn. It actually brought me to a youtube video to learn how to do it. I learned something new.

I sort of disliked the large amount of things that needed to be done for this project. It's been hard to make sure that I am on top of everything and getting it all done on time. I'm having troubles with this class in general, but I think that is my lack of organization. It is hard to remember that something is due on Friday when we only meet once a week, and I forget to check Angel often enough to be reminded about it.

I could definitely use this presentation, lesson plan and webquest to teach a lesson to middle and high school students. They are interested and skilled enough in art to understand who Chuck Close is and what his objectives and ideas are in his portraits. I think students would enjoy this project to, as they get to be vain and draw themselves and they willl also be able to draw very realistic and then more abstract.