I'm back from Italy. Back in the island. The funny thing is, everything from now on is going to be more serious. Studying abroad in Florence for a month was amazing. I learned more Italian(the grammar is so difficult, but I'm getting the hang of it), more photography but most importantly I learned more about myself and others, about life itself. I was hoping to get the inspiration I needed to get started on my serious graphic design and motion graphics work, and I got it. I'm glad I decided to stay in the photography class, I had started to doubt it because I had already taken one similar in Savannah and we were learning the same things in Florence. And although we did, I learned a lot more. The harder way. The way where no photography equipment is available. We had to figure out how we were going to take night shots without a tripod, making our own tripod. Arranging our own available lighting. In the end, I gained a lot more experience than I thought I would. I enjoyed this class in Florence a lot because I felt more free as a photographer. I got to experience street photography in a way I've never done before , among other things. Going around every day with the camera, observing everything. At times it was difficult, but I managed. My professor really inspired me too. I am back to shooting on manual everyday. I had stopped at times, but I've gotten so used to it, it seems so simple now. In the end, it was all worth it.

What amuses me the most about Italy is how simple people live. Not like here or in the U.S. And I admire their lifestyle a lot. Especially my families' lifestyle up in the north of Italy. My godmother grows her own vegetables in her gardens. My baby cousin has an extended italian vocabulary just because of the amount of time he spends up in the mountains , learning agriculture words. I learn from a 8 year old, imagine. They spend most of their life working, growing their foods and maintaining their house in the mountains. Barely or hardly do they use computers and I see how much they appreciate from life. A lot of us spend so much time on the computer, we disregard how beautiful life outside is. I hardly spent anytime on the computer when I was in Florence and I enjoyed so much. Now I know I have to spend a lot of time on the computer because I have to start producing serious artworks for my portfolio so I can get a job. But being in Italy did me so good. I met so many wonderful people, people I will never forget for the rest of my life. Small moments became a big part of me.

There were days where I woke up at 6 a.m to start the day. I also went to Venice, I waited so long to go there, and it was unbelievable. So worth it. I felt so - good - there. A place where your life is surrounded by water, it felt amazing. I honestly can't explain how I felt. But I do know one thing: I want a boat some day. Taking boat rides and being in the ocean or waterplaces, I just love it. To me it just feels so wonderful. I can close my eyes now and feel it, the fresh wind, the water crashing into the side-roads, everything was just beautiful. Just like paradise. I'm very passionate about the outdoors, I can appreciate a lot of things. And Florence was just filled with art, I knew going there would help me out.

In the last weeks, I found the inspiration I was waiting and hoping for. A few amazing people opened my eyes to certain things. Now I just need to figure out where to start. I know this summer is probably going to be one of the last where I could have fun and go somewhere because starting next summer I have to start applying and looking for internships, God knows where I'll be next. I really have no idea and it's a bit scary to think about. But being scared doesn't help, I just need to prepare which is what I'm doing right now. I have a month to work hard and get ready for this year at SCAD. I've also declared my minor to motion graphics, I just love it. Photography is still a HUGE part of me but it will remain my passion hobby. And who said I can't integrate my photography to my graphic design/motion graphics work? It'll be okay. I feel that I have grown more mentally. I want to do so many things right now but I know I have to prioritize.

I've also learned to cook some Italian food.. and still learning. This week I'll do some music writing and painting as well.

I also opened an account on vimeo. You can check out my future motion graphics work and videos there(as well as my youtube account).
[link]

I also have a new flickr account. I had trouble remembering my old account info cause it was recent too and there was no way of recovering it in the end. So new account. You can view my photography here:
[link]


Hope everyone is having a great summer. Be safe.



Peace and Luv,
Ally



P.S. Michael Jackson is the King.


“There are ways to get there..
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
Make A Better Place...”

Being in art school and absent from writing and not updating my journal definitely proves its all been ART lately. I used to spare time with words. I kind of started to miss it. I miss writing. The world of art has definitely sucked me into another world. An art world. Art art ART. Everything is art to me.

I've become more observant. The way I see things has altered through time. I've learned to appreciate everything. I see how much time one simple second of action takes.

This year has flown. It is nonstop. I had ups. I had downs. I am now twenty. Still young, yet entered another era. But made me reflect a lot.

I got tired of meeting the requirements, pleasing the professors. Of doing things to get them done or because time was running out. It was difficult to focus on one project when there was two other big ones to focus on. I could never set my mind to complete one to satisfy me without slacking off on the others. But it's all about time management. I've been good with that now. Maybe the outcome won't always be great, but the process could always mean more.. just like the journey is the destination.


What else is new?
I'm still confused of what I really want to do in life.
Why can't I decide?
I seem to love so many things or just be unsure of most of it. But how can you confuse passion?
I keep asking myself "what do I love doing?"

I started taking a Motion Graphics class. I love it. The works that I've seen amuse me. They take me in. Everything. It all leaves my eyes wide open, ending with the word .."wow.."
And then I got my hands on it. After Effects. "I want to make something like that," I told myself.
I'm enjoying it so much, I've been spending my days watching tutorials, exploring the program itself, learning. On my own. Once I got to class, I got bored because I knew so much. That made me think, wow, I like this. I am interested. I've learned a lot on my own and I am developing another passion.
I always loved editing videos, making the scene. My mind works like a movie. I see everything through different angles, perspectives, rates. I thought about switching majors: Graphic Design to Motion Graphics. Motion Graphics has everything I love in one(photography, film, graphics, designs, with motion, with sound).
Like I said. I'm confused and I don't want to make a mistake. Am I happy with graphic design?
I love it but I feel something isn't right. I'm sure that if this was right, I wouldn't doubt it. But if I make a mistake, and spend more time and money in college, life is still a learning experience right?
In the end, I'll just learn more. About majors and about myself. I will accept it.

I've also learned to accept many things. If something bad happens, I accept it and I am grateful that it happened. If it never happened, how much stronger wouldn't we be? A lot.

I also miss taking pictures. But I know I'll have plenty of time for that in wonderful Florence. Oh yeah .. I'm gonna study in Florence this summer! I'll be taking an Italian language course to master my italian language and a photography course. I can't describe how excited I am!
I love traveling...

Well 2:25 a.m, still awake! I got better things to do than be sleeping right now.



Well..

Hope everyone is doing great and progressing with their art.

Peace and Luv,
Ale

......say something

Hey all!
I just created an account on Flickr yesterday. Pretty decent there too. I just wanted my best photography on there and best artworks since I have pretty much everything on here. I like the slideshow too. SO it's pretty clean on Flickr, starting new on there too Catch me on there. If you have flickr, add me.
I'm under the name Ally J.

Profile: [link]
Slideshow : [link]



Also, I have mentioned this before,
and once again,check out my good friend An Le's work
Worth your time! His latest work consists of using the darkroom. You'd almost think it was created with Photoshop but I witnessed the hours he spent in the darkroom and the result is just amazing. He inspires me. He definitely is multi talented and knows how to experiment well with photography to achieve the concepts he wants.
Not only does he JUST takes the pictures, but he makes most of the dresses for his models... with PAPER. Not fabric. And a lot more, take a look yourself.

[link]


slideshow:
[link]



Well..
I'll be going to Puerto Rico this Saturday and taking a Caribbean cruise on Sunday for a week.I still can't believe it. Going to Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, Tortola...etc. And I will be taking A LOT of pictures for sure. I love being in the ocean and feeling the fresh air so I'm pretty excited.

I wish everyone a great holiday, happiness,peace and success for the new year! Make great choices and always be who you really are, who you want to be.

ciao!


-Ally

I'm here.. thinking, looking back.. about the things that made me happy this first quarter of my sophomore year, also the last quarter of the year 2008. I was just amused of how quick time went by. Almost like time is slipping right through my fingers, like the ripples in the puddles when it rains. One day I'm going back to Savannah the next I'm coming back to the Dominican Republic. Really, it was 2.5 months. But looking back... I had an amazing quarter. Probably one of the best because I accomplished what I thought would be a challenge. Something that not only was a wish, but something that would determine my future.
I can start by saying I took my first Intro. to Graphic Design class. I entered the class being really excited but at the same time a bit concerned. I say concerned because I knew it was that class that would determine whether or not I had the potential to be a graphic designer and if I knew I chose the right path. With all my interests and passions: photography and film... I kept wondering why graphic design? I have no experience with it, yet I love it... and I want to do that kind of "stuff."
But that passion, that passion I feel for photography, I hadn't developed it for Graphic Design yet. I didn't know if I could do such designs like creating successful logos or posters or all that. I was interested, but I didn't know if I could.

The class started, 90% of our projects were to be made by hand, not computers, which I thought would complicate it even more, but in the end I realized wow to use the hand and use all that freedom with it, your mind just becomes more creative and expressive and free to move around anything, rather than just the computer. If that ..makes any sense?

The point is.. I was nervous about my first project, having to create a social awareness poster. But I did it. I couldn't believe it was that successful and my professor telling me really positive words that really motivated me even more. Not to keep this long, in the end, I managed to do amazing in that class. I did it and that makes me proud because now I finally know I have what it takes, or at least the start to be a graphic designer. I had friends and family members ask me to create logos for certain events or presentations even during my winter break. I felt.. good.
And this isn't to brag, this is just me expressing that I feel less confused now and proud yes.
I won't lie, photography, I love it so much. Everyone at SCAD would swear I am a photo major and get surprised when I say I'm not. God, I love it. Then why not? Do you ask.. I ask myself that the same thing sometimes, but I think I can go around it, not being my major, and I know I can incorporate the two together.
Film, God I love film too, I love editing videos, even the way I think feels like a film. I actually have the fade ins, the fade outs in my head as weird as that might sound. Sometimes I wonder if I should give it a shot, but then I tell myself it's just a hobby.. I still am a bit insecure, almost as if I were in denial. But I am happy with graphic design right now so I will continue in this path Every time I'm in the car now, looking at the window, I find it interesting how all I look at are logos or the designs for trucks or vans for their companies. Analyzing them..How my mind is now tied to that... must mean something huh.


2) I love kids. Another thing that made me really happy this last quarter was working at a school with a pre-kinder class. I never really shared this much, but when I was younger I wanted to be an Elementary school teacher..
when I was working with the pre-kinder class, I felt that way, even if I was just an assistant, those kids jumped on me like jelly beans. It was tough sometimes and it wasn't easy to scream at them for me... because I was new at the whole thing but I also learned how hard it is..to have kids? Discipline is a definite. But besides them treating me like a celebrity when I entered the classroom, jumping on me and screaming my name and crying to be the one to sit next to me, I had a great time. I was happy that I worked and took classes. I didn't last year because I was too stressed with only homework but this time I told myself no matter how much work you have..you will GET a job.. and I did, 2 hrs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday wouldn't kill. The teacher gave me the liberty to be the teacher for the last minutes of the class. I read to them, they smiled, they joined, they laughed. I laughed, they were part of my new day. This experience made me see the start of being a mom. Haha I know funny but I guess I got that feel, and trust me 20, 4 year old's .. not easy! But I don't plan on having 20.. hahaha

I miss them..
I feel more mature, even more grown up now and feeling like the future is so close to me. My mind has developed stronger and even wiser. I'm planning on going far this summer, because I want to be ready. And I'm thinking Europe.

and a lot more things made me happy this quarter but I'll keep it at that. I have written to much.

Thanks to all my friends for being at my side.
<3

I can't forget music... I plan for my music to be a greater part of the 2009... Catch me on River Street at night - Savannah! hahaha


Peace and Luv,
Ally