Inspiration From Artists

I'm a student from China, and this is the first time that I leave my parents for such a long distance, the U.S.! Before I came here, my parents always hesitate whether it's a right decision to let me go broad. On the one hand, it's my decision and it's also my dream; on the other hand, my parents are worried about whether I can "survive" in the U.S.. My father asked me:" Are you really ready for being alone in that unfamiliar environment without the care from your parents?" I promised my father:" I have nothing but courage. It's my own decision, I will go on no matter what difficulties I will meet." Actually, I really met a lot of difficulties when I came here; different culture, environment, friends, language and so on, all of these made me homesick. I really miss my parents and my friends in China, but every time I think of my promise to my father, I told myself: Never Give Up, no matter what difficulties you meet. So, in my midterm project, I use that image to express my Big Idea: Courage. On that image, a person is running on the top of the mountain. The mountain means the difficulties, and as long as you can persist and have courage, no matter what difficulties you have to face, you can make your dream come true. In addition, I use some techniques of photoshop to make the mountain virtual which means difficulties may not be so tough as you expected, and if you have the courage to overcome them, they won't be the obstacles on the way to dream.

For the final project, I got inspiration from a Chinese cartoonist, and his name is Yindao Murong. He created a dog whose name is Daodao. Daodao is a little dog wit big head. He is quiet and not talkative, but his words are warm and philosophy. Yindao uses this dog to express his own feelings and tell people some simple but practical truth. I find inspirations from his artwork, and I think maybe I can use some cartoon character to show my feelings. It will be interesting! Although he doesn't use many digital techniques in his artwork, but his work is still very impressive. His work makes people feel warm-hearted and relax especially when you discourage from life since this little dog lets you realize that being alive is beautiful!
I find some information about Yindao from his blog.

words on the cartoon:
He always sends people gifts
But no one sends him a gift
So, let's give him a hug
Forever "Old-Boy"

words on this cartoon:
Just let stay on the tree
So that I can fall down with leaves when autumn comes

http://baike.baidu.com/view/284455.htm
http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/1194720022