Advice from Current AP Students to Incoming Students (2006-2007)
Dear Incoming AP Students:
Read Ms. Bouse's emails - get inspired.
I have accomplished a number of things while I was enrolled in the AP Art Program. I accomplished them by getting into the Ryman Institute and completing the first level and got a job, and then an art apprenticeship at the Art Center of Pasadena and all though Ms. Bouse. I learn to read Ms. Bouse's emails and participate in all of the wonderful opportunities shown by Ms.Bouse. During a slump, read an email from Ms. Bouse, because that will give you something to do when stuck. All of these opportunities that I enrolled in, ended up inspiring me to go on and work. Get inspired though the emails. The overall AP Art experience is difficult and time consuming, but in the end it is all worth the time and effort, and you gain experience with real life planning of the quickly paced artwork deadlines. Do yourself a favor and read all the emails from Ms.Bouse. (Tim Plumridge)
Work hard and take what you're doing seriously.
This year I’ve developed a videogame design concept, made for production in less than a year that targets companies like Rockstar, Activision and EA games. I’ve started a series of paintings that are going to be a part of an upcoming exhibition also in less than a year. I’ve tattooed over 20 neighborhoods, cliques, and gangs of L.A., everybody from Santa Monica, West/East Los, Compton, Watts, Inglewood, Riverside, Bellflower, Riverside, Hollywood, Long Beach and many more, all which has created a small name for myself and has enabled me to meet and connect with some of the top artists in the business. I’m also in the process of designing several murals for youth centers in Santa Monica, Venice and South Central. I’m beginning to refresh my airbrushing skills; so far I have been commissioned to airbrush small cars, scooters and boats. I’m in an ongoing process of developing a cloth line with other artists, as well as combine ideas for different ways to promote and advertise the style I offer. And I’m also in the process of designing things for the school, like the yearbook layouts for 07, t-shirts for different classes for next year, and creating shirts for different clubs.
The only reason I’ve accomplished these things is because I have hustled harder than I have ever done in my life, constantly sweating and bleeding 24-7 about my art. I’ve been drawing since I was a baby, and throughout my life art has shaped who and what type of person I am, and has saved my life-literally. For me I wake-up and sleep thinking about what other projects I can hunt down, what new skills can I learn, or what skills that I already have, and could I improve on. Art is my bread, my future, my life, my skill and my drug. For you to make a serious career, living and enjoy your art in life, you need to take the time to focus and you need to be addicted.
I’ve learned that not taking things seriously can lead to big mistakes and regrets, and to let things slide will destroy what you got and what’s coming to you. Last year from spring to my entire summer I was in a big set-back with my life. A short few months were taken away from my life, and I was deep in the dirt. A lot of mental, physical, emotional struggle had messed up my entire direction in terms of school, art, and life. And the biggest thing I’ve learned is that you have to take that pain, and use it to push harder to what you want to get done, and let nothing, and no one get in your way, allow nothing to be in your life that will threaten your plans for the future/goals. Myadvice is this; if you want to create art to express, live and make a career off of, then you have to work real hard and take what your doing seriously.
Overall, AP art is a good time to sit down and get things done. I do all my big projects at home, I use AP art as the time to design, and plan small projects, tattoos etc. The biggest thing I get out of AP is Mrs. Bouse-whose advice has helped build my skills and focus on art. She’s funny as hell too. To all incoming students, handle your business and good luck. (Jun Cha)
Think about what makes other painters good but what makes artists good in general.
I already wrote this out but it got lost in my computer so I’ll give you the gist of it. This year I worked entirely in my sketch book. I recommend it to anyone. Its nice because you get everything in one place. During slumps I changed medium and subject matter as much as possible. For about two weeks I stopped everything all together, its nice to know that you do in fact need your art. I think you should not only think about what makes other painters good but what makes artists good in general. Once you have an ideal, it starts to seep into your work. You should work during the summer, and you should keep a stock-pile of work no one knows about that’s good enough to pass as new in case you get in trouble. So that’s that. You might be better off forgetting all of this and figuring it out for yourself. Don’t slack off during class, its AP Art not AP Socializing (even though we happen to be cool as hell). (Charlie Lucas)
Create art based on you and your personal interests, emotions, and beliefs.
AP Art has not only helped me in art, but in my academics as well. I feel that with the guidance of Ms. Bouse as well as my classmates I have accomplished many things. To look back at the year and see all of the artwork that I have created shows how much time and effort I have placed into this program. I feel that the AP Art course not only prepared me for submitting to the AP Board, but for learning how to manage my work. Creating one art piece per week may seem like a lot to handle but this schedule kept me on track. It made me more on top of things with my other classes as well. With such an organized program and teacher, I feel that AP Art students are getting a wonderful opportunity to accomplish their goals.
Just like any other AP course, AP Art is a rigorous class that calls for a great amount of time to create quality work. However, if you enjoy doing art then this should be no problem. Get to know the people in your class because they are the ones that can help you the most if you are in a bind. Don’t be afraid to bond with these people because they are the ones that get to know your art the best. Therefore they are the best people to get advice or help from. If you are feeling uninspired and your friends haven’t been able to help enough then utilize the resources in the classroom. If you didn’t know, Ms. Bouse loves to read, and because of this, there are numerous books in the classroom. Even though there are plenty of art books, there are also regular books too. So, there shouldn’t be any reason for you to not think of something.
As an AP student, I was very inspired by the people around me. A lot of my ideas came from my friends in AP Art. Like I said before, get to know the people in your class, because they truly have the ability to inspire, whether you know it or not. Sometimes it is hard to be inspired by specific things. I find that when I listen to music I create really great work that I am truly proud of. I think that if you use your personal interests you become more willing to put lots of effort into a piece. Ultimately, I think that my suggestions for other young artists is to create art based on you and your personal interests, emotions, and beliefs.
My overall AP Art experience has been wonderful. If art is something that you really enjoy then this class is perfect for you. AP Art is a great class to have especially if you are taking challenging and draining classes during the day. Art is something that you do to relax and stay sane during the year. Not only is it a place to create art and bond with others that share the same interest, but to learn the skills you need for the rest of your life. By entering the AP Art program you have the opportunity to be instructed by one of the nicest, caring, and insightful teachers at SAMOHI. Ms. Bouse is not a scary teacher; she’s actually really awesome, so get to know her! She will teach you all that you need to know for the rest of your life. Take all that you learn from this AP Art class with you for the future. You will not regret it! (Cortney Herron)
Keep working and wait it out. Time brings inspiration.
This year I feel that I have improved my skill and developed a specific style. I think that the situation and set up of the class really enabled me to be free with my work and direction. I think that the class truly taught me how to distribute my time and how to be more organized with my work. I found by the end that it is very (if not as) important to keep a written record of your work, and to keep your work in one portfolio. Slumps, for me, were often and quite frustrating. I found that once they did pass, I was extremely proud of my work. My most memorable style/direction change came after a huge, slump where I absolutely despised every piece I attempted. My advice for these unbearable blocks would be to truly keep working and wait it out. Time brings inspiration. I found that I was really inspired by photos. My concentration is portraits so photos of people really inspired me. I liked eye-catching face flaws. One of the pieces that I was most proud of was a painting that originated from a girl in a wedding/quincinera dress. I suggest ripping out magazine clippings that catch your eye (maybe 20-30) and keeping them in your art locker so that you never run out of ideas. My overall AP art experience was very positive, I grew very much as an artist. I know that I still have much more to learn about myself as an artist. (Jo Jo Samuels)
Ap Art is just a really rejuvenating and eye-opening experience.
First and foremost, Ap Art has and will always be my favorite class throughout all of high-school. In this class I have grown tremendously as an artist. I have learned different techniques and strategies in all aspects of the subject. This year I have completed over 30 pieces, some that I am proud of and some that I am not. But it's all about learning your style and interest as an artist in this class, not so much being in love with every piece you do.
Sometimes you may fall into a slump, and when you do, try to get yourself out by maybe trying a new medium or simply look through Ms. Bouses books and see if there is anything that interests you. Sometimes when I'm in an "artistic coma" I will take a canvas and just stare at it for a long period of time, and something just simply pops up and I begin to paint.
Overall, Ap Art is just a really rejuvenating and eye-opening experience, I wish I could have taken it for more than one year. In the class you will learn a lot and advance your artistic abilities. Good luck and have fun. (Jordan Miles Rosenheck)
Fully participate in the AP experience--come to gallery shows, figure drawing, join SAMO4ART, socialize with the class.
This year I really grew as an artist and as a member of the artistic community. Participating in class critiques and visiting local galleries not only improved my artwork, but also increased my awareness of the creative world around me.
Sometimes in AP art, you fall into a "slump." Because the class is so open, it's very possible to burn out after a great run. During a slump, I try not to push myself to produce great work--often chilling out with a favorite movie or relaxing afternoon can inspire you just enough. For those who have the urge to push through a slump, keeping a "project list" can give you quick ideas and even contribute to your concentration. The bottom line is, you will come out of the slump eventually--just give it time.
My overall AP experience was amazing--as I hope it will be for you. Not only do you get the chance to exclusively work on pieces you are excited about, but you get exposed to many other students' work. You learn about their work and have the amazing opportunity to see them grow. Seeing the senior show was so inspiring--I am so proud of my senior AP friends.
The one piece of advice I would give, is to fully participate in the AP experience--come to gallery shows, figure drawing, join SAMO4ART, socialize with the class. If you take full advantage of this opportunity, you will be greatly pleased with the results. (Emily Grossman)
Anything can be an inspiration: your favorite novel character, your friends and family members, a song, a short story, a dream, etc.
I did most of my paintings on landscape this year. I used acrylic at first, then I tried mixed media: colored pencils, watercolor, ink, and sometimes pen. The first few pieces of mixed media didn't work well, but as I practiced more, they kept getting better and better. I learned that in landscape paintings, trees and flowers don't have to be realistic.
When I felt that I didn't have the mood to paint, I just browsed other artists' works, or pictures of landscapes, birds, still life, etc. I suggest that you can do the same thing I've done when you are stuck. Maybe you can get some inspirations from them.
My paintings on Chinese landscapes were inspired by poems and memories of my hometown. I think anything can be an inspiration: your favorite novel character, your friends and family members, a song, a short story, a dream, etc.
My AP Art experience was fun. I tried many new media, new ideas, and new ways of painting. I found using acrylic as watercolor to paint landscape to be interesting.
I think the summer before AP starts is a good time to try different media and ideas, so that you can focus on the media and ideas you prefer during the AP year. Also, keeping a record of your works is important, for you will be producing a lot pieces in the coming year. (Sherry Huang)
When Ms. Bouse tells you that the calendar is your friend...believe her.
Don’t be intimidated. Knowing that you are part of an elite society of remarkable talent and superiority should melt away any potential fear.
The obvious key to survival is endurance. Turning in a project a week can be difficult but taking a break is not an option- the work piles up quickly. Also, when Ms. Bouse tells you that the calendar is your friend...believe her. My first year I never read the calendar and often lost it completely, which led to many missed deadlines. This year I taped the calendar to my wall near my computer so that I was forced to glance at it on occasion and therefore met deadlines...on occasion. In terms of improving your skills as an artist, I’d advise you to experiment frequently. Experimentation is the easiest way to stimulate inspiration. There are so many materials at your disposal and it is in your best interest to utilize them.
The most useful advice I can give is to avoid Ms. Schwartz. While deep deep down she is secretly kind and means well, I wouldn’t suggest cutting through her room to get to AP Art. Good Luck! (Ryane Acalin)
Slumps always end at some point so don't trip.
hi. so you got into AP art. good job. it's a lot of fun and you'll form cliques and stuff and you'll like it. so when i was in 10th grade and i got into AP art i wanted to know some things, you know about the process and whatnot. it's kind of like study hall but you do art, and we don't do projects as a class or anything like that because this is -advanced- art and it's all individual. but you still have to do projects because there are critiques at the end of the week that are helpful sometimes but not always.
here's some things i want to tell you.
-as an ap art student i accomplished some things, mostly getting a good start on my portfolio for when i apply to colleges, and getting slides made which is REALLY helpful in the future even though its kind of a pain.
-during a slump i usually was really frustrated and annoyed and i probably brooded in the corner alone, but i dont think you should do that. you should just, you know, try harder, and maybe it'll work out, but slumps always end at some point so don't trip
-i was inspired by some things, like ms bouse's books, or water bottles, or pictures, but mostly i was inspired by the nude models that i draw every week because that's what my concentration was. it helps if your concentration is something that you are interested in/inspired by
-over all, ap art was fun, it's a good chance to be independent at school and just do whatever and get good grades on whatever you do, unless what you do sucks or something, but i doubt it will.
and yeah so have fun, make friends, be in the trapa show, bring food for the ap art drawer. ap art is fun! (Lila Ash)
Time management is a large factor of the class and you must plan it out carefully.
Welcome to AP art. Congratulations, you should feel honored... But don't get too cocky already; you have much work ahead of you this year. Brace yourself. It's a crazy ride, but you'll learn quite a bit. I learned quite a bit, accomplished quite a bit. It takes a lot of stamina and courage to be so productive. But in order to be so productive, you must find a good place to do all of your art, and a special time of day where you are guaranteed to not get distracted. Time management in general is a large factor of the class and you must plan it out carefully.
I often found myself unable to paint in these spaces I left open for painting. When you have so much going on, doing art could be stressful instead of therapeutic. Sometimes this happens and you must take a break, and release some stress and then get back to it.
Sometimes when you have no inspiration its hard to paint. Travel inspired me, so much so that i based my concentration on it. I took a lot of photographs in foreign places and based my work on it. it is important to find an interesting subject; something you find is beautiful and work with it. your work will develop from what you begin with, but you do need a strong initial idea.
The AP art experience was a good one. It was a solid community with many talented youngsters. I took out a larger knowledge of mystrengths as well as some great friends.
Overall, you shouldn't let the extremely talented intimidate you, for everyone has his/her own style! Be proud of it. (Suki Gershenhorn)
Never doubt your abilities and make sure to do all that you can to avoid disregarding ALL of your talents.
Welcome to one of the most challenging, exciting, imaginative, and fullfilling classes of your high school career. You will find that you will, without doubt, accomplish numerous fantastic pieces and take many huge steps towards becoming a refined artist. Never doubt your abilities and make sure to do all that you can to avoid disregarding ALL of your talents.
The biggest thing to remembe as you begin your work is to experiment. Trying new things may be the best thing to rescue you during a slump. Make sure you step out of the box as often as possible and use a subject you would not normally choose. Doing so should help you keep your ideas fresh--not to mention strengthen your breadth section of your portfolio.
Then of course there is the golden rule of AP ART: USE YOUR TIME IN CLASS WISELY!!! Catching up after you have fallen behind is even more stressful than having to turn a project in every week. Even though the load may seem daunting, it is completely possible. Also, take advantage of the list Ms. Bouse gives you at the beginnng of the year to log your work. One on ones will be much easier to prepare for if you know exactly what you need to present.
Keep in mind that you are in the class for a reason: you deserve it. Obviously you are extremely talented and have many places to go. It will be a fabulous year and a wonderful growing experience. Good luck, and enjoy every bit of it! (Jessica Berek)
Spend time on your work. Art that you spent 10 minutes on looks like crap.
Hello incoming AP students! My name is Barry (Wolf). You may or may not know me. I am a current AP student and per the instruction of the illustrious Ms. Bouse would like to offer my advice and experiences from this year as food for thought. First off, if you went to the TRAPA show, you should recognize my work as that mingled in with the work of Tiimo Schulze. I did a lot of pictures of guitarists and doodles. So now you know my art. I found that as I worked, my tendency was to gravitate towards stuff like this. But my other tendency is to be lazy and my work suffered (and continues to suffer) because of this. so here's my first piece of advice:
#1. Spend time on your work. Art that you spent 10 minutes on looks like crap. plain and simple. If you really break down and spend a long time on something, you will not regret it! I know from experience that Everyone likes the stuff I spend a long time inking and reworking. and the folks (especially Ms. Bouse) can tell the work you don't spend time on looks like that same crap, and Ms. Bouse will let you know, so don't worry. Remember, this is an AP class! Put some effort in or forget about doing good or passing the AP.
#2. Spend class time to do your work. That's what it's for! It sounds simple, but as you enjoy the freely structured enviroment of AP art you will find that talking with friends all period or finishing up your homework from more "important" classes is something you will do. It will become a habit. so try not to do it, because if you are in AP art for the reason that you want to expand your range as an artist or to express yourself, doing homework during this awesome class will make you feel pretty bummed out about missing the time to do good art.
#3. Look at your classmate's work! They do some cool freakin stuff! Don't worry about being influenced by it! Everyone gets influences from everything! As long as you can put your personal touch on it and make it look good it's your own!
#4. Compliments to Barry pay. Like if you get on my good list I might refrain from beating you up and taking your lunch money. Every day. (Barry "The Wolf" Taft)
When it comes to your concentration, just try to think of things that you love, things you enjoy, or things you’re good at.
Over the past year in AP Art, I’ve accomplished a lot. The class has helped me to make great self-improvement with my art skills and styles. Having access to a variety of media helped me to try new things and experiment with different methods. I also was able to accomplish self-improvement due to the input of the other art students in the class who are all very knowledgeable about art as well. I learned a lot about how much I can put into a piece and which art styles I prefer most.
Though I was able to get advice from other students and I had a multitude of art supplies to choose from, I still fell into slumps sometimes where I couldn’t think of anything to work on. To cure this artist’s block, I tried doodling random things in a sketchbook or piece of paper. I would look at old art work I’d done as a little kid and try and re-do it in a more developed way. Sometimes it would help me to bring in pictures of things I like and try to work off that. Even though it’s recommended that you don’t do a lot of work from photographs, a realistic replication can help to increase your confidence in your art and give you ideas for your next piece. Also, as long as you make any work that you derive from photographs into unique pieces that differ from the original, it should be fine.
Not only did these techniques help me out of slumps, but they also inspired me in my work. I found inspiration from the drawings I did when I was eight and from vivid photographs in books. In fact, during one of my slumps I asked my mom for ideas and took her suggestion. The piece turned out to be a success and was the start of my concentration. When it comes to your concentration, just try to think of things that you love, things you enjoy, or things you’re good at. Also, when it comes to your slides, don’t procrastinate. Get them ready early because waiting until the last minute will only stress you out a whole lot!
Overall, my AP Art experience was amazing. I loved it so much I’m taking it again next year. The class helped me to improve as an artist and gain more confidence in my skills. I loved getting input on my work and the class critiques helped everyone to make contributions to everyone’s art. It was a great place to make tons of friends because we all had at least one major thing in common: art! Good luck next year! Keep on loving art! (Jessica Gerhardt)
Make sure you are ready for the time commitment and mental capacity it entails.
Welcome to AP art! This class is one of the most time consuming AP’s offered at Samohi, so be prepared to dedicate a lot of time effort and mental capacity in order to get all you can out of this curriculum. One guarantee about AP for everyone who decides to take it on is that the shear scope of the body of work you must produce to submit (send your work away in May to New Jersey for a grade) provides an adequate forum for everyone to learn and improve. When you are putting in the hours to produce that many pieces your work must progress. I learned that when taking a class where artistic expression is treated like math or science, required and graded, sometimes you have to put aside your sense of artistic pride and integrity in order to produce. As demoralizing as that may sound, if you have a perfectionist attitude as I do and you can’t put it aside to allow you to create, you will seriously suffer in this class. It is important to be able to put aside your self-doubt and criticism and just create, and often that’s when your best work comes about.
I like seeing other people’s art better than creating my own, and so for me, being a part of the active artistic community in Santa Monica and seeing a lot of work was most inspiring. Your goal does have to be "I want my work to look like that" which creates an unnecessary stigma around young artists seeing professional work. But the more you know, the better. Trying to create art without knowledge of art world is like feeling around in the dark. Seeing the work of art I love and don’t love is my greatest source of inspiration and a necessity for my creative drive.
For me AP art wasn’t the best class because the pressure to create overrode my desire and ability (especially time wise) to do so. So when signing up for this class make sure you are ready for the time commitment and mental capacity it entails. But to produce that much work is helpful for every aspiring artist, so you can’t avoid some gain. Good luck managing your time and try to produce work that you enjoy, not for the benefit of the AP board. Don’t fret about your concentration, just go with subject matter you enjoy and are new to and dive in headfirst. It’s not the end all of your artistic career; so just attempt to enjoy yourself and create a few things you’re proud of. (Isabel Polon)
To get anything out of AP Art you must work hard and THINK.
Ok... so in AP art it is pretty easy to get a good grade, but to get anything out of it you must work hard and THINK. There's gonna be people in the class that are better (technically or conceptually) in some way. I suggest that you use it as a development tool. In AP Art, they will be the best source of improvement you will have.
Also, don't be lazy! What I mean by "lazy" is if you procrastinate, use your mind to try new things. So in other words, you can be lazy with assignments but don't be an idiot. Otherwise, why are you taking the class in the first place?
I think I've had creative slumps but the best thing I can tell you is just htink what you want to represent in your art. The thing I think I've accomplished most is learning how to use the time I get in class. (Maxine Fisher)
It is essential that you stay on top of your work.
To all of those entering AP art next year I would like to congratulate you. Being apart of this class is such a great experience but for some it results in a negative outcome rather than a positive one simply because the class is what you personally make of it. You will discover that this class is very independent, no one is going to baby-sit you and tell you to do your assignments and turn them in on time so it is essential that you stay on top of your work. I accompished so much this year, i produced alot of art work that i am very proud of and i had a great time doing it all. My only advice for your first year in the class would be to use your time wisely and have fun experimenting with new ideas. Good luck! Mackenzie Brown
Find trash and junk around school or your neighborhood, whatever, and make a piece out of it.
This past year in AP Art I think I developed a solid style. Which is nice. In the beginning of the year I took the process really seriously, but once I started to relax and play around with techniques a little bit I started making more interesting pieces. Both are nice, but I feel that the whimsy pieces are a bit more appealing; to me at least. I was kind of in an inconvenient and irresponsibly long slump from about November to May. How did I get out of this dark hole of agony and despair? I didn't really. I define a slump as not making anything special, and during that time I was making small doodle-ish pieces that I didn't really care about too much because they felt unfinished. But then I started taking each individual scribbling-type and would arrange them together and make collages, etc. and they blossomed in to FRAGRANT ARTISTIC ACHEIVEMENTS OF PROGRESS.
I get inspired by a lot of things, experiences in life, books and music, especially this bootleg I have of John Frusciante Live in Amsterdam in 2001. Ask me and I will burn it for thee. (who are you! who is going to see this? hi!) My suggestions are to go to the library, but only if you're responsible enough to not forget and get hit by a one hundred dollar fine like me, also find trash and junk around school or your neighborhood, whatever, and make a piece out of it.
My overall AP art experience was nice. Nice. It was my favorite class, and things like critiques really helped me develop as an artistic type. I would like to share somee tea and crumpets with incoming AP students. (Darya Fahoodi)
2004-2005
2005-2006