End of Term Reflection

Let me begin by saying, I loved this class. I expanded my horizons this term with the materials that I used on each project, as opposed to last year when I stuck with my charcoal. Also as an artist, I've learned to draw much more then I thought myself comfortable with. I hated drawing people, and if I can't get it quite right, sometimes I still do. Most of the time though I enjoy the challenge of all the details humans provide, from shading to wrinkles in jeans. Over all, this class has taught me that even though something is not in my comfort zone, it doesn't make it bad. It's a new thing to learn, and I may end up liking it. My largest success in this class was breaking out of drawing what I knew I was good at (charcoal water scenes and the like) to getting to try painting. To be honest, I avoided the project for weeks. Now though that I've given it shot. I've discovered I like painting in colour and the way it makes me think when I have to truly see what's in front of me instead of my interpretation. This has also been my greatest challenge. I am horrible at dealing with change and I wasn't interested in going for it now. When I pushed myself to just do it, I finally got to a place where I was just going to suck it up and do it, my still life was missing. I started from scratch, coming up with a new idea and just going for it, instead of combing the room for my lost objects. The only advice I would offer myself from the beginning of the term would be to deal with the change and roll with whatever excercise Ms. Roberts says, instead of peaking through the blind fold or going detail crazy on a piece that I knew was going to be cut up. Intermediate drawing and painting has gotten me to a more open mind artistically, for which I am extremely grateful.