UCLA Art Portfolio...?

I'm a romanian junior high school student and I'm bent on attending UCLA School of Art and Architecture. I've started to build my portfolio but they request only 5 pieces of artwork. It's pretty hard to narrow it down to only a few pieces...My question is this: since different art schools look for different things in students' portfolios, what is UCLA's aim?Do they prefer to see personal art or obsevational drawing? Are they interested in discovering the personality of the artist or just the skill/technique? Is illustration or concept important?For instance: will a portrait count more than an image of a group of teenagers skateboarding? They would both be from real life, but what about the concept? I'm a fan of traditional drawing and painting. What is UCLA's preferance in art (are they liberal and creative or less flexible?)... What's they're style?If anyone here is a student over there, could you tell me what kind of work got you into UCLA? Thanks.

UCLA Art Portfolio...?
I'm not an art student here at UCLA but I have friends here who are. I guess they tend to be pretty liberal and creative with their works. Indeed, the stuff I see them do is pretty bizarre.
Reply:I can't speak for UCLA, I am unfamiliar with what they require, BUT I am an art teacher that has sent many students to excellent art colleges.





In a portfolio, you want to show these things: skill/technique, possibly in more than one medium, some work that shows higher level thinking/concept (perhaps a piece dealing with a social issue or your inner self). It's also good to include one self-portrait.





Many of my students go to a "Portfolio Day"...you said you were Romanian, but are you in Romania or the USA? If you're in the US, try to go to a portfolio day. People from all colleges are there and maybe someone from UCLA will be there and can give you feedback on your work. The website for portfolio days is:





http://www.npda.org/events.html





Finally, I would suggest calling UCLA with your questions. I have always found art departments at colleges very eager to help and answer questions.





Good Luck!
Reply:well, my friend's brother goes to UCLA, he sent in artwork too. his artwork was very creative and showed his personality and skill throuhg his work. he did 5 different categories showing how much he can develop (pointilism, watercolor, pastels, collage, and pop art) he got in. i also think taking basic ideas and putting them in would be good too. basic teenagers skateboarding is a very good idea too me





hope that helps ;}