Journal 8 - Marina Siles

 

Marina Siles

English 1109 at 10:30, M-W

November 5^th, 2020

 

Journal 8: Compare and Contrast

 

            The two stories I chose were “Tool and Die Maker Phil Kerner, 49.” which was my least favorite story and “Sculptor Olga Ayala, 57 Talks to Her Ex-husband, Efraim Ayala, 61, About Her Mother, Artist Ramona Cruz.” Which was my favorite story.

            Between the two stories, at first glance they seem like two completely separate professions that could never relate. I also had no idea what a Tool and Die Maker was before reading it. After reading that it is the production of tools and parts that would later be used in a factory, I saw the comparison. Both Phil and Olga are both creators and require them to make stuff whether it be parts or art. But one thing I found more important was the influence their parents had on them growing up which lead them to being inspired and following in their footsteps even if it wasn’t easy like a bitter sweet remembrance.

            I think the biggest but most obvious contrast between the stories were their creation or what they made. Although tool and die making was generational and made specifically tools/parts, Olga was the first to really pursue art and became a sculptor who was inspired by her artist mom, Ramona. We also hear a lot on Phil’s experiences as well as some of his dad and uncle. Whereas in Olgas story she doesn’t talk about how she got to be a sculptor or more specific details because the story was based on her mom and their relationship with art.

            Something I personally connect with from the stories is Olga and her moms’ story. I was inspired at a young age by my grandma to do art myself. My whole childhood I grew up with stimuli in my face often. Stimuli as is coloring, painting, taking pictures, music playing consistently. But at my home all the was reinforced was sports and athletics. Don’t get me wrong I loved the sports I played but that is never what I wanted. My escape was my grandma’s house where my imagination ran wild with her constant encouragement.

This is my piece of Mixed Media that made it to the Ohio Governors Youth Art Exhibition in 2019 as a State Qualifier. The piece is titled "Modern Normality" which was inspired by the eyes that always seem to peer on me my life but I know I am not the only one who felt that way as well as many other factors that went into this piece