Feet Drawings

Readers I had to Draw Feet this week! I absolutely, positively, have abundance of troubles drawing feet. I always make one or two toes incorrectly, and it doesn’t look realistic. So once again I searched drawingspace.com for a tutorial on how to draw feet. I drew a leg, and foot together. The leg look better than the foot, personally. When I first started on the tutorial I drew four circles, to represent my legs and foot. I broke the leg into 3 parts, and foot had its own circle. Then, I started to fill the circles in with lines so this can start to look like a leg and foot. So once, I did that, then I started to shade a little. I made sure my toes looked right, and the leg was realistic. Once I felt like I 

IMG_0284
IMG_0284

Head drawings

I am so excited, I drew a face with very detailed features! We got assigned to draw a head, but that could mean anything. So I decided to draw a face, and I named him Carlos. I was very nervous to draw a face, because if I drew someone else face I don't want to be the one to draw their face incorrect. If I drew someone from scratch and make him have It’s own features and personality than I won’t be nervous. I started with a round head and I started to shape the chin, so it look like real face and head. Then I started with the ears, I wanted to make sure everything on the outside of my head was done. I don't know if it's weird that I do that, but I just feel like before moving to one section I have to finish another. So when I went inside the head to draw the features, meaning eyes, lips, and nose. Well, now I know I can draw eyes really well, and so do my readers if you read my other blog, named eyes. I started with the eyes, I started to form the lines to build my eyes off of, and doing all the things I learned. When I finished, I told Carlos his eyes were beautiful. I started to form the nose in the middle of his face, he had a round cute button nose. It didn’t look like a nose, but I know when I shade in Carlos face his nose will look gratifying and realistic. I created the mouth next, I gave him round full lips, he had many creases in his bottom lip, and a tiny dip in the top of his lip. Once I was done his features, I started to form his hair, and gave him messy lines. Carlos wasn’t done yet, shading begins. I started to shade his ears, and all around his chin. I shaded the rest of his face, and Carlos came out beautiful. It took me 4 hours to finish Carlos completely.

IMG_0281
IMG_0281

Eye drawings

Hey readers,

The second assignment was to draw eyes, which is my biggest weakness. I never can get the eyes the way I want to, or my shading is incorrect. Meaning I make the eyes to dark, or to light. Also, another thing is that I usually don't make my eyes  realistic, it looks fake or rushed. So when this piece was assigned I took a few breaths and tried to get my thoughts together. Again I referred to drawingspace.com, and looked at a tutorial on how they draw eyes. It was really helpful, and my eyes came out perfect. I started with basic lines, meaning the shaping of the eye, so it can look like an eye. I started to draw in the basic stuff such as the eye ball, and eye brow.  When I sparingly got my eye the way I wanted I started to shade the important parts of the eyes, it defined the eyes, made them look real. I made serval eyes around the page. My eyes came out better than expected, I keep forgetting I'm a better artist. Scroll down and look at my eyes, tune in next time readers.

IMG_0282
IMG_0282

Hand drawings

Hey art bloggers and readers, my name is Sarena Shuman, and I am an artist in high school. Most of my art blogs are on the assignments my teacher gives me, and I will elaborate on how I feel, and what I did to complete the assignment. I will also include at the end of the blog, a photograph of the masterpiece. Hand drawings was the first assignment of the year for art, and I wasn't nervous. I was calm, and very positive. I was thinking of ways to approach this in a creative aspect, in artist eyes. I didn't want to just draw a hand, or trace a hand. I wanted to be very detailed, and precise, I wanted the shading, and a touch of color. So I went to drawingspace.com for a reference of a hand, I looked at a tutorial on how to draw a hand. I started out with the outline of lines, to build my hand off of. Then I started to form the fingers and nails, as a sketch, and as I started to see my hand form. The lines got thicker and more real, then the shading and specific details came last. It took me about 3 hours to sketch one hand. Then to add my pop of color I added a vase of flowers as if the hand was reaching for the flowers. My hand was shaded in pencil, and a little charcoal, but my vase of flowers have all types of colors. I enjoyed my first piece of the school year. Tune in for the next blog post.





IMG_0283
IMG_0283

Keystone XL Pipeline Monologues

Introduction


For this assignment, we, the students had to study the Keystone Pipeline and its background. We were to create our own monologues that showed either support or rejection of the idea. You had the choice of writing a monologue on either a real or fictional character, actual or inanimate. We had to research quotes and views on the pipeline, if you were including actual people in your monologues. In my monologues I portrayed the perspectives of three different figures. One, President Barack Obama, another being Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the last a fictional supporter of the Keystone Pipeline. President Obama had just finished his debate with Governor Romney and makes a vow to attack Romney with how the pipeline will distort the climate. He then pledges to be persistent and win the election, due to a little motivation and inspiration. Prime Minister Harper is having a debate with Bill McKibben and storms off backstage, cursing McKibben and the protestors outside as he goes. He then realizes is microphone is not off. Harper is met with carnage outside as he rushes and stumbles to his limousine, scorned as he goes. The last, a pipeline supporter is leaving a rally and utters a phrase that would lead to a revelation that changed his views on the pipeline and life forever. I chose three different views and three different figures involved with it because I wanted to show how these people actually feel about this matter. I also wanted to be unbiased and show both sides of the pipeline, not just showing undoubted support or undoubted protest. I believe that showing the true fight for persuasion on both sides really shows how passionate people are about this project. Overall, the one thing that I learned from this project and value the most is the time and effort that the protesters of the pipeline have put in to stop it from being built. It is an astronomical accomplishment, what they have done. A great deal of work was put into these monologues and into this video. I sincerely I hope you enjoy my work.

The following is the link to my video: https://vimeo.com/51523174




End of Regulation

(Sit down and act stoic)

(Downtrodden) Obama: Thank you for the kind words, but I wasn’t as clear and fluent as I would have like to have been.

(Pondering ways of winning next debate but with not much luck.)
Obama: I just wish that the people would recognize how frequently and blantlany Governor Romney lied during the debate. If only the Republican party could realize that Romney’s and their plan to cut taxes on the rich will only lead to an even more increasingly drastic economic “depression” than the one we’re in right now. I need to take a different and more direct approach at some of the major issues, but what? What major world and domestic issue could I discuss to convince the United States to work with me so I can clean up the ever-worsening economy? If he keeps brainwashing the populus, then I’m afraid he is going to keep winning these debates and more importantly, he will win the undecided vote if he keeps changing his views.

(Listening) Obama: I’m all ears.

Obama: And what would that be?

Hmm. Uhh, that’s an interesting point you brought up there, sir.

(Starting to develop idea) Obama: That is a brilliant idea you have. I had heard Mitt say something about, though not much, during the discussion about the health care crisis, but it had slipped my mind. I have the power to repeal the project and not allow the pipeline to be built. The damage that it would do to our changing and warming climate will be incredible. Although the Republicans do denounce the theory of Global Warming, those who are aware of the very real issue will be interested in the shutting down of the climate. However, I most certainly want assure that the next president and the next generation of people will not have to deal with an unrepairable climate with oil spills happening ever so frequently.

(*Passionate*)
I WILL be persuasive, I WILL give the hard facts, I WILL show the people what is happening to our country and even more importantly, our planet, and I WILL reveal the lies that Governor Romney spewed all last night. If I bring this integrity, I will make a strong case and win the upcoming election. However, I can’t let up. I need to be persistent. These people have done everything they could to stop me from fixing the economy during my four years, but no longer.  Thank you, young man, you have a very wise and knowledgeable head on your shoulders.

(With sincerity) Hey, wait a minute haven’t I seen you around the Oval Office a few times.

(Remembering now) Obama: Ahh yes. Well, again, thank you and have a nice night, I’ll see you tomorrow and I will win this next debate.

A Change Of Plans


Main Speaker: Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper.


(At a pipeline debate with Bill McKibben, persuading protesters that the pipeline is a good thing)

Harper: (Being Polite) Well, you see, Bill, that’s the thing. The Keystone Pipeline will not only be the safest way of transporting oil, but for the first time since World War 2, the United States and Canada will have a mutual benefactor, this one in particular being called domestic resources. North America will garner so much more publicity and my country will grow economically and both our stocks will rise. We will finally have a decent clout in the oil industry, especially now that we are partnering with America.

(Harper: I assure the Canadian populace, I will only do what is necessary and what needs to be done.

Harper: Get this get this mic off me. This fool, McKibben does know the slightest thing about what I am trying to do. Doesn’t he realize how well this’d bode for those lousy Americans and their awful economy. Those bumbling dopes out there are so gullible. They’ll believe anything that I say. I’m not going to repeal that plan to build that pipeline no matter what anyone says.

(Acting hurried, very worried) Harper: My...microphone... wasn’t off? The crowd... they heard, *swallows* all that? Hey! You! Get me out of this place, now! I don’t need this liberal garbage right now. Get me to my limousine.

(Pushes back door of auditorium open and is met with very angry protesters outside as he approaches his limo.)

(Nervous) Harper: Open that door, now! I can’t deal with anymore. All of these ignorant people don’t know anything.

(Very angry) Harper: Why isn’t the goddamn door open?

Harper: Open the door!

*Click*

(Relieved) Harper: Finally! Christ, almighty? These crazy radicals are out of there minds.

Harper: Away from here.

Born Again Ethanol Salesman

(Walking to his car, leaving a pipeline rally, waving goodbye to supporters/fans)

(With enthusiasm) Oil Salesman: Goodbye all! God bless and remember, with a pipeline, we are one, connected via what defines us.

(Closes car door) That was such a great rally. I really feel like these people believe in the pipeline and what it can do for our country and our economy. *Yawns* Boy, I’m exhausted. Hmm, with a pipeline, we are one, connected via what defines us. Huh. That’s funny now that I think about it. Connected via what defines us. Oil connects us? A toxic resource is what we are? Why would someone even think about that? That’s not what living is about.

*Begins to contemplate what’s right and wrong* What if this is the wrong approach? *Starts to clench steering wheel and palms being to get sweaty*

What about the possible or even *begins to worry even more now* eventual crisis of the rise of sea levels?

(Now seeing what he has been promoting for so long, he becomes very intent on stopping the pipeline)  
What will happen if the pipeline bursts, or worst, damages the o-zone layer even more? I don’t want my children growing up and living in a world like this, especially in this country, where greed is the main focus.
(Realizes what he supports, shows enthusiasm)
I definitely want the best for my kids and I will not, no, I refuse to support something that will jeopardize my children’s future. There is NOTHING on this Earth that i wouldn’t do for them, nor is there ANYTHING I would let hurt them. This CANNOT go on.





Appendix


Many of Canada's biggest energy companies – firms that are headquartered in Canada and trade on Canadian stock exchanges – are in fact largely owned by foreign interests, including Suncor (57 percent), Canadian Oil Sands (57 percent) and Husky Energy (91 percent). All told, some 70 percent of all tar-sands production in Alberta is owned by non-Canadian shareholders.

It's these foreign-owned companies, not the environmental groups targeted by Harper, that pose the real threat to Canada. The Northern Gateway pipeline would slice through 700 miles of environmentally sensitive land in western Canada, exposing ecological treasures like the Great Bear Rainforest to major oil spills.

In Alberta alone, there were 687 pipeline failures in 2010. Three spills in a single month last spring dumped 400,000 gallons of oil – including 132,000 gallons into a river that provides drinking water to Alberta residents.

The oil – it's more of an acidic, corrosive goo – is expensive to extract, dangerous to transport and more damaging to the climate than conventional oil. The problem is, the oil companies want to triple their production over the next 20 years – but existing pipelines will reach full capacity in only three years. And if you can't move the oil, you can't sell it.

The chiefs of more than 100 First Nations tribes, who control half of the land that the Northern Gateway would traverse, have signed a declaration to stop the project, calling it "a grave threat" to their lands and waters.

Keystone represented the most profitable route to move the oil to sea, traversing 2,480 miles on the way to the Gulf Coast.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/keystone-moves-north-where-big-oil-is-losing-20120802#ixzz29T44L700

Bibliography



Goodell, Jeff. "Keystone Moves North, Where Big Oil Is Losing Read more:   http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/keystone-moves-north-where-big-oil-is-losing." Obama may have stopped the U.S. pipeline, but now the fight has shifted to Canada. 02 2012: n. page. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/keystone-moves-north-where-big-oil-is-losing-20120802>.

La Vida y Los Tiempos de un Cocodrilo Tímido


Por: Ronaldo Jackson

¡Hola! Me llamo Ronaldo. Soy de Filadelfia y vivo en Filadelfia. Ahora, asisto a la Ciencia Leadership Academy. En el futuro, voy a ir a la universidad para ser un veterinario. Quiero ser veterinario porque yo atraigo animales. Para mi, importa mucho salir con las citas. Sin embargo, tengo el sentimiento de estar solo. Por lo tanto, en el futuro, quisiera ir a las citas ciegas. Me molesta mucho cuando llego tarde a la escuela. No creo en llegar tarde.

          Soy un niño alto y delgado. Mis ojos son marrones. Según dice, ellos son profundos y brillantes. Mis pelo es completo y negro. También, es muy rizado y corto. En mi cada, tengo realmente cejas bonitas y labios esponjosos. Es dos de mi mejores características. Es por eso que yo soy un buen besador según las mujeres. Se dice que mi piel es marrón y suave, pero con pelos en las piernas. Aunque es peludo, es suave al tacto. Mis dientes son bastante bonitos. Ellos son tan blancos como papel nuevo. Personas le encanta mirarlas. No soy muy musculoso, pero soy un corredor. Tengo un seís pack, pero no es muy visible. Sólo es visible cuando hago ejercicio. Sin embargo, puedo usar mi mente más que mi cuerpo. Es porque ir un veterinario, yo necesito ser más inteligente que atlético. Ser inteligente también atrae mujeres. Sin duda, me siento muy afortunado.

          Por dentro, soy muy maduro. Por la general, soy una persona simpática. Si alguien me molesta, entonces soy antipático. Pero, no me gusta. Yo siempre trato de hacer amistad con otras personas. Por otro lado, no soy la persona más sociable. Es porque siempre he sido tímido. Si lo hiciera mi personalidad, tendría más amigos. Honestamente, tengo tres verdaderos amigos, y sólo uno va a mi escuela.

          Mi afición es aviones, trenes, y animales. ¡Ellos son muy interesantes! Me gustan porque hay diferentes motivos. Me gustan los aviones y trenes porque ellos son bastante complicados y vehículos únicos. Trenes son muy únicos desde ellos utilizan los vías de trenes. Ellos son los vehículos solos que correr en un especial “calle” sólo para ellos. Al contrario, aviones son únicos porque ellos volan muy alto. Para mi, es muy interesante por un vehículo pesado volar. ¡No parece normal! Pero, existe. Sin embargo, mi favorita de estos es animales. Por la tanto, quiero ser un veterinario. Tengo que trabajar con los animales en el futuro ser feliz. Desde que era joven, he amado los animales. Recuerdo mi primer mascota. Era un perro llamado Rex. Desde al principio, yo era cariñoso con él. No estaba inseguro con él porque él era sorprendentemente siempre amistoso con mi. Nosotros éramos mejores amigos. Él ayudaba mi para encontrar mi amor por animales, y no sólo perros, pero gatos, lagartos, pez, y mucho más. Desde entonces, he tenido mascotas.

          Mi vida de citas es muy secas. No tengo a novia. Es porque soy muy huraño. Es muy triste. Mi novia pasado era en grado dos. Creí que nosotros erámos uña y carne. Solíamos comer almuerzo y jugamos juntos. Todos nuestros amigos dirían que vamos a casar en el futuro. Entonces, tuvimos una lucha un día en escuela. Ella robó mi lápiz favorito y estaba muy disgustado. Hoy, me cuenta que la lucha no era necesaria, pero es pero es muy tarde. Que era el final de nuestra relación. Esta experiencia me hizo nervioso de relaciones nuevas. Sin embargo, sueño con una novia perfecta por la noche. Me imagino que la personalidad de ella es tan bonita como ella es. Aunque, realmente no me importa cómo se ve. Pero, tengo miedo de no encontrarla. Me siento triste cuando pienso en esto. ¡No es divertido! Sin embargo, creo que la mujer perfecta es por ahí. Solamente tengo que encontrar la.

Photo on 11-15-12 at 12.16 PM
Photo on 11-15-12 at 12.16 PM
Photo on 11-15-12 at 12.17 PM
Photo on 11-15-12 at 12.17 PM

Greetings

At different times of day you greet people with different greetings. In the morning it is good morning in the afternoon it’s good afternoon at night or in the evening good evening or good night. It is the same in Spanish. Instead of a simple hola; say Buenos diás in the morning buenas tardes in the afternoon and buenas noches in the evening or night.
Here is  a video on How to greet people at different times of day.

Here it is
https://vimeo.com/53471498 


SLA Playwrights Rake in the Prizes!!

Seven different SLA playwrights had winning plays in the 2012 Annual Playwrighting Festival run by Philadelphia Young Playwrights!

Congratulations to the following students:

Byshera Moore for her play Star Dance (Second Place)
Ellen To for her play Breaking Borders (Second Place)
Alexis Babcock for her play The Stranger (Third Pace)
Sarah Charlotte Brown for her play Waiting for a Mother (Third Place)
Maria LaTorre for her play Sono la rosa nella mi storia (Third Place)
DeShawn Mcleod for her play Just Do It (Third Place)
James Prell for his play In A Foxhole  (Third Place)

See the complete winners list here.