Title: The Parrot
Theme: A flying parrot
Medium: Charcoal
Also, I revised a few of my other drawings/paintings. You can find it here on the top left corner under the video bar (the far left one; the other one has been disabled). Hope you enjoy it!
Boat Painting
This was a picture I painted in 2009. For more of my art, click on More Art in November, 2010. Enjoy!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Derek's Art Slideshow
Here's an updated version of my slideshow (also found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwTSkzk9oFo). It includes some new pieces of art, like this one:
Friday, November 26, 2010
The American Dream
In the present world of worries, an once common phrase is rarely heard now. Truly, the "American Dream" is rarely uttered nowadays. With the economy still recovering and the United States backing a country nearly at war with its northern neighbor, the American Dream has supposedly become out of reach now. But what truly is the American Dream, was it ever a possible reality, and will it ever be one?
First, to understand the "disappearance of the American Dream", one must first figure out what exactly the American Dream is. Once said, many adults usually are reminded of the dream of owning a house. This idea may have came from an old American custom that separates the lower and middle classes by the ownership of property. However much a symbol for achieving the American Dream, this is not what the American Dream first and should mean. This phrase was first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, when he stated that life should be "better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement, regardless of social class". As James Truslow Adams coined the term "American Dream", the original idea was one of the fundamental pillars that America was built on. The Declaration of Independence stated very clearly that "all men are created equal", and as later generations would find out, Lady Liberty would open its arms to all the other countries' poor and troubled, and embrace them and offer them all the opportunity she offers to everybody else. Truly, everybody who comes to this country is entitled to their unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". That is what the American Dream really is.
During the Great Depression of the early part of the twentieth century, the American Dream was regarded as all but lost as well. But through strong leadership and faith of the people, the Americans pulled out of the Depression stronger than ever, leading to a time of peace and glory that would ultimately put them on top of the globe as the world's most powerful nation. The American Dream isn't just a tangible object that can be possessed. It is a spirit and belief, of patriotism and hope, that carries Americans through their life. It is that hope that maybe, just maybe, we can. It's the same hope that made all those British-American colonists join what looked like a hopeless cause three hundred years ago, and the same hope that makes citizens give up the comforts of their home for the hardships of life as a soldier overseas. It's the same hope that George Washington held in his heart that he can do it, and the same hope that Barack Obama holds in his heart, that truly, "Yes, we can." The American Dream is very much alive today as it was three hundred years ago. The utterance of the word is not as common, but still, inside the heart of every citizen and politician, from the richest to the poorest, the sun that has kept America going for three hundred years is a rising sun, not a setting sun.
Although it's hard to imagine, the American Dream is just as real now as it was five, ten or even fifteen years ago. The American Dream lives in the heart of those few who are brave enough to stare into the eyes of defeat and say, "We still can." The belief that one little step at a time, one vote and a time, we can change the world, is kept alive, fueling the fire inside each and every American's heart. Many doubt the President right now after seeing him in office for two years. His smoothness has worn off after being exposed to the harsh reality of political office. But the American Dream carries on; despite all obstacles or setbacks we might encounter, we still can. Even with the constant bickering of Republicans and Democrats, the unhappy citizens over many laws and policies, and a still uncertain economy, we will succeed.
Being the child of immigrants, I see the American Dream as clearly as anybody. It is the dream that inspired both my parents to move. It was the promise of a better life, not by their status or family wealth, but by nothing but their own skill and determination. It was in hopes that they could provide a better life for me that they moved, and I'm very grateful they did, because now, the dream is passed on to the next generation. A new generation will see the harshness of reality, but still look it right in the eye and not back down.
That is the true American Dream.
First, to understand the "disappearance of the American Dream", one must first figure out what exactly the American Dream is. Once said, many adults usually are reminded of the dream of owning a house. This idea may have came from an old American custom that separates the lower and middle classes by the ownership of property. However much a symbol for achieving the American Dream, this is not what the American Dream first and should mean. This phrase was first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, when he stated that life should be "better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement, regardless of social class". As James Truslow Adams coined the term "American Dream", the original idea was one of the fundamental pillars that America was built on. The Declaration of Independence stated very clearly that "all men are created equal", and as later generations would find out, Lady Liberty would open its arms to all the other countries' poor and troubled, and embrace them and offer them all the opportunity she offers to everybody else. Truly, everybody who comes to this country is entitled to their unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". That is what the American Dream really is.
During the Great Depression of the early part of the twentieth century, the American Dream was regarded as all but lost as well. But through strong leadership and faith of the people, the Americans pulled out of the Depression stronger than ever, leading to a time of peace and glory that would ultimately put them on top of the globe as the world's most powerful nation. The American Dream isn't just a tangible object that can be possessed. It is a spirit and belief, of patriotism and hope, that carries Americans through their life. It is that hope that maybe, just maybe, we can. It's the same hope that made all those British-American colonists join what looked like a hopeless cause three hundred years ago, and the same hope that makes citizens give up the comforts of their home for the hardships of life as a soldier overseas. It's the same hope that George Washington held in his heart that he can do it, and the same hope that Barack Obama holds in his heart, that truly, "Yes, we can." The American Dream is very much alive today as it was three hundred years ago. The utterance of the word is not as common, but still, inside the heart of every citizen and politician, from the richest to the poorest, the sun that has kept America going for three hundred years is a rising sun, not a setting sun.
Although it's hard to imagine, the American Dream is just as real now as it was five, ten or even fifteen years ago. The American Dream lives in the heart of those few who are brave enough to stare into the eyes of defeat and say, "We still can." The belief that one little step at a time, one vote and a time, we can change the world, is kept alive, fueling the fire inside each and every American's heart. Many doubt the President right now after seeing him in office for two years. His smoothness has worn off after being exposed to the harsh reality of political office. But the American Dream carries on; despite all obstacles or setbacks we might encounter, we still can. Even with the constant bickering of Republicans and Democrats, the unhappy citizens over many laws and policies, and a still uncertain economy, we will succeed.
Being the child of immigrants, I see the American Dream as clearly as anybody. It is the dream that inspired both my parents to move. It was the promise of a better life, not by their status or family wealth, but by nothing but their own skill and determination. It was in hopes that they could provide a better life for me that they moved, and I'm very grateful they did, because now, the dream is passed on to the next generation. A new generation will see the harshness of reality, but still look it right in the eye and not back down.
That is the true American Dream.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thanksgiving
A whole 389 years ago, in the year 1621, a group of Pilgrims and Native Americans got together for a three-day celebration, which later became known as the first Thanksgiving feast. It was a time to celebrate and laugh, to enjoy the simple pleasure of life. It was a feast of thanks, to the Native Americans for helping them get through their first year, to God, for "guiding them to the Native Americans", and probably just plain luck for still being able to live, eat, and play. From that year on, the principles of Thanksgiving still sounds, even 389 years after the first "thanksgiving". It's still a time to step back from the great rat race and look around, a time to just be thankful for what you do have. As one follows an average, modern day life, everyday is a routine, a maze where one has to avoid as many pitfalls as possible. With so many out there, one can't help but just see all of the negative parts and none of the positive parts. As a student, I have lots to worry about: grades, friends, sports, and all sorts of things. Sometimes, I might be sad that I didn't do so well in my baseball game, or when I don't get the grade that I wanted. It might be my fault, or it might be just luck. This holds true for most people I know, too. Too often do you hear of people protesting this bill or that law, complaining about how little our president has done, or how bad the economy is. Far too often can you hear the complaining of how this one person just "got lucky", or how unlucky one has been. But Thanksgiving is that day where you can just step above that everyday thinking, look around, and realize what a lucky person you are. Not everybody can have parents that care for you and respect your decisions and independence. Not everybody can have food on their table every morning, noon, and night. Not everybody has the chance to live in the most powerful country in the world, which happens also to be the one that gives the most rights to its citizens. Not everybody can have an education, a house, clothing to wear, or any of the things that you might have. Is it your right to have any of those things? Of course not; as a kid, it just happens that you got born into a family that can provide those things for you, and you should be thankful for that. Anything that isn't a right to have is a privilege, and Thanksgiving is all about just being grateful for all your privileges. After all, from the poorest man to the richest, the tallest to the shortest, the strongest to the weakest, everybody has something to be thankful for.
Thanksgiving is just for realizing that fact.
Thanksgiving is just for realizing that fact.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
More Art...
Here are the images of the art that were shown in the video:
Title: Yes We Can
Theme: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" -Abraham Lincoln
Medium: Sharpies and pen
Title: Peace.Green
Theme: Together We Can...
Medium: Color Pencils
Title: Cézanne's Town of Gardanne
Theme: Recreation of Cezanne's painting
Medium: Charcoal
Title: Obama
Theme: Mosaic Portrait
Medium: Pencil
 |
Title: Albert Pujols Theme: Portrait Medium: Pencil |
Title: By the Sea
Theme: Seascape
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Title: My Shoe
Theme: Sketch
Medium: Pencil
Title: Beijing Olympics
Theme: The evolution of Olympics from its beginnings in Greece to the most modern, '08 Beijing Olympics
Medium: Color pencils
Title: Beijing '08
Theme: The meaning of the Olympics: "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Latin for Faster, Higher, Stronger), but above all, peace
Medium: Color Pencils
Friday, November 12, 2010
Art Video
To the left of this post you will find a video bar, where you can find one of my videos that I created. It contains some of my artwork that I've drawn. Enjoy :)
(You can also find this video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGRPDx22DM)
(You can also find this video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGRPDx22DM)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Election Day 2010
Here we are again: November. Every two years, November is the time for major political reforms. It's when the American public gets to decide who's going to be in charge for the next two years. It's a time to let the government know exactly what is on the people's minds; it's supposed to be the grand and glorious time that separates America from all other countries. Hundreds of years of protest and cries of foul has given the people of today their voice in the government. This day would be the day that America's beauty would shine at its greatest, our forefathers had hoped before. But instead of this glorious day that people had imagined, this day is instead a bold reminder of the great divide between the people of America. This year, as the citizens of America grew unhappy about the absence of change promised by the Democrats in 2006 and 2008, they decided to give the Republicans a chance to change the government. As a result, they gained much more Republicans in the House (eventually winning the House), a decent amount of increase in the Senate, and some more in gubernatorial races across the country. But as Republicans celebrate, what is the cost of giving so much power to one political party? How did it come to this day, where political parties have split to this extent? The answer comes from sources earlier than one would expect.
The first movement towards political parties were the split in opinions between Alexander Hamilton (Federalists) and Thomas Jefferson (Republicans), back in the very beginning of America. Their split in opinions was the start, the push, that set off the pendulum. Ever since, the American public has decided that the best way to run the country was to give all the power to one party. The pendulum that represents American's faith will swing from the far left to the far right, from Democrats to Republicans, always in a continual motion, when in fact the purpose was to get to the perfect equilibrium.
None of this political divide is more evident than when Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said ahead of the election,“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." In the current state of America, with almost everything appearing like a problem, the biggest concern for the Republicans is to make sure President Obama isn't re-elected? Not even thinking about the still underachieving economy, the big healthcare issue that still looms, the terrorists threats posed, or even just the basic well-being of the average American citizen, the biggest issue is to make sure one's own party gains more power? The whole meaning of parties is tarnished with this comment: parties are a group of people with similar political beliefs, not a group of people that wants to have different political views from the other party. Democrats and Republicans alike should learn to compromise to move together towards a better future for America, not argue just for the sake of arguing with the opposite party. The only way to achieve the "perfect equilibrium" is to put aside one's differences and compromise. As George Washington, one of this country's most revered presidents has said before, "With slight shades of difference, you [the American people] have the same manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together." The key here is just not to magnify those "slight shades of differences".
The first movement towards political parties were the split in opinions between Alexander Hamilton (Federalists) and Thomas Jefferson (Republicans), back in the very beginning of America. Their split in opinions was the start, the push, that set off the pendulum. Ever since, the American public has decided that the best way to run the country was to give all the power to one party. The pendulum that represents American's faith will swing from the far left to the far right, from Democrats to Republicans, always in a continual motion, when in fact the purpose was to get to the perfect equilibrium.
None of this political divide is more evident than when Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said ahead of the election,“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." In the current state of America, with almost everything appearing like a problem, the biggest concern for the Republicans is to make sure President Obama isn't re-elected? Not even thinking about the still underachieving economy, the big healthcare issue that still looms, the terrorists threats posed, or even just the basic well-being of the average American citizen, the biggest issue is to make sure one's own party gains more power? The whole meaning of parties is tarnished with this comment: parties are a group of people with similar political beliefs, not a group of people that wants to have different political views from the other party. Democrats and Republicans alike should learn to compromise to move together towards a better future for America, not argue just for the sake of arguing with the opposite party. The only way to achieve the "perfect equilibrium" is to put aside one's differences and compromise. As George Washington, one of this country's most revered presidents has said before, "With slight shades of difference, you [the American people] have the same manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together." The key here is just not to magnify those "slight shades of differences".
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