As an assignment for my painting class I have to bring in 3-5 things that I can’t live without on a daily basis. Receiving this assignment right after I completed the 100 Thing Challenge, it took me some time to figure out what to take for my things. Especially since I’m not sure if she means this in a literal or a representational way (ie: I can’t live without my computer, so I bring in my computer or I can’t live without my wife, so I bring in something that represents my wife). Since my teacher has been gone for a couple of weeks I haven’t had the chance to ask her. (I really want to be a smart-alek and take in some food, a bottle of water, and a jar of air.)
Computer!
My first thought was my computer. I use it far too much, every day. (Indeed, I am sitting here right now, typing this post.) Beyond that, however, I have no idea what else I use on a daily basis that I “can’t live without.” To help me decide, I looked at my short list for inspiration.
Marriage!
Even if my wife wanted to come in and sit as part of the still life that I will be composing, she has class at the same time that I do. Her representative, then, will be my wedding ring. I don’t often think about it, but every time I take it off greatly feel its absence. It’s only when gone that I notice how often I fiddle with it, adjusting it on my finger. Therefore, it is something that I cannot live without on a daily basis (it only comes off when working on a project that could damage it, which is not that often.)
Motorcycle!
The next thing that comes to mind is my motorcycle. I greatly love riding it on a daily basis. However, I’m not sure how I would get it into the second floor studio where the class meets. It would fit in the industrial elevator that the building has, but I don’t think it would make it through the tight curves required to get into the building via the handicap ramp. I’m also pretty sure that though I wouldn’t mind doing it once, having to bring the bike up twice a week for nearly a month would get tiring fairly quickly. And yes, I have given this serious consideration.
In lieu of the actual motorcycle, I will be taking its key. Not only does it represent the motorcycle, but it really is a vital part of the bike (I wouldn’t get very far without it).
What I can’t live without
- (Not in order.)
- Computer – I will probably just take the mouse with me, instead of the whole computer. That studio is dirty and I don’t want to ruin the computer. Plus, it would likely be a distraction for me.
- My Wife – Since she has class at the same time, my wedding will be her representative. How fitting!
- Motorcycle – Too big and hard to get into the building, so its key will suffice.
What about you?
What can you not live without on a daily basis? Are you surprised at what first comes to mind? I was surprised when I thought of the computer, and a bit saddened. I really need to reduce my dependency on this thing. I’d love to hear what you come up with!
This is going to be an awesome piece of art. I hope you share it online.
My Three Things
1) God
2) My family
3) Creativity
How I Would Represent Those Things
1) A Bible – A huge, leather, family Bible would be best
2) My Theoretical Bracelet – One of my future projects is creating a bracelet that represents my family. I’ve picked out the beads and everything so it should be impossible to draw it.
3) A Light bulb – I can’t compare with, “Let there be light!” so I’ll go with the man-made version.
I love the food, water, and jar of air idea, but I would think someone else would come up with it too.
None of my objects are physical. If I had to stick with physical objects, this would be a more difficult decision. Anything I have can be replaced.
As an art teacher myself I don’t think that your painting teacher will mind if you bring in representational things. It’s the ideas that really count and art teachers should appreciate creativity and critical thinking.
It would be funny to bring in some kind of representation of three vital organs.
🙂
Most of the students brought in representational things. I still want to do literal things, however (food, water, air), and might do a still life as a personal project.
-strokes chin thoughtfully-
Hmm… I didn’t think about organs. Now I’m curious the best way to do that. 😀
The food, water, and air still life would be great for you portfolio.
I wonder what our three most vital organs are? That would be up interpretation as well.
Everything in the art world is up to interpretation!
So I’m learning. It certainly makes things interesting!