When I went to university in the early 90s things like watching TV fell away. University was such a relief from high school; I finally met people that were interesting and intelligent. Such was this novelty that I completely missed the Gulf War and an Olympic Games in the heady intoxication of youth.I also left behind my art.
I was studying economics of all things! I like to understand how the world works and money seemed a big part of it, however it was never my intention to become an economist. I later took up a second degree in Arts (Humanities) with a major in Art History. Art History quickly became my favourite subject. But I must tell you, that I was a very lazy student. I had always performed well in exams without much effort, however this didn't prepare me for an academic life. At uni, I soon discovered that the readings set were never discussed in tutorials and I could fulfill most of my obligations by using my memory of the lectures and my naturally creative, flexible mind. I got by, I was doing honors.
But don't think I was lazy in every department, I was studying intensely but what I was studying was not on my academic record, among those extra circular subjects was Star Trek. My friends and I wouldn't watch any other show, but at 11:00pm once a week we would gather in a TV room and switch on the box. I soon became hooked. Having always loved science fiction like Dr Who - anything with space and magic, I fell in love with the world of Star Trek and was fascinated by its story cycles and concepts. Most of my friends were Science majors and I had a high level of maths/science in my high school background so we would discuss the science and the fiction over bad bolognaise and melting bowls of icecream.
It was via this fascination that I found my way back to making art. Thanks to Star Trek I'm on the path of the artist, well that might be a hyperbole, but Star Trek does deserve a large part of the credit. This very early painting above was a quick study in oil pastel of Data dressed as he was in the episode "A Fist Full of Datas." (Data was my favourite ST:NG character btw)
I was a big fan, not a completely fainting, weak-at-the-knees, stalker type fan but enough of a fan to go to conventions and have a Star Trek original series blue science officer shirt, a real killer at raves (but that's another story).
Over the years my life took a few turns but I still managed to hold onto my art and craft thanks to Star Trek so I must tip my hat to an incredible series - it still has a special place in my heart.
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5 comments:
Past life? Florence, I think you're still very much a Trekkie!
Hmm...My memories are now so faint though. Once I had a formidable array of Star Trek lore at my immediate disposal, now... a sad case for my once beloved friends.
I could be ready for a revival, at least as a hobby this time:)
perhaps I should polish up the old communicator badge.
Are you going to start making Trekkie dolls next?!
'Lore'? By using that name, it shows you're still a Trekkie at heart!
"Lore", "array" all the associations come spilling out. That's what happens when you train yourself on poetry. Unfortunately my rusty side shows, I mean who says communicator badge! its embarassing.
As to Miss Wrecker, I'm not going to dignify that with a comment;)
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