As the end of the Summer I independent study period is drawing to a close, I would like to reflect on the many things I have taken away from this time.
I think the most important growth I have experienced is that it has provided me the motivation to bring to life some of the ideas I had in my mind. This time has given me the drive to make the visions I was seeing come to life. I have grown in my experience and created reason to search out new artists for further inspiration.
The connectivity with other artists and their critiques have sparked new interests and caused me to deviate from my long-time path of bright, bold colors toward the use of textured, partially degraded, yet sharply focused images. It has generated so many new ideas.
I feel this time has given me a great start to a portfolio that will continue to grow as my own style evolves yet again through my exploring and learning. It has opened up so many new opportunities and a new level of confidence in my abilities. I have very much enjoyed having a reason to create and the nudge I needed to think outside my box of bold colors.
This study has given me a reason to further explore the encuastic media and to begin "painting" in wax. I have many more goals and ideas needing to come to life that will be developed over the next several months.
As a photographer, I am frequently searching out new ways to take the images I have captured and make them into something beyond the printed image. I want to create a connection with the medium being used that speaks to the image being presented. I feel this exploration has provided me with so many new ideas and ways to use the images that extend far beyond what I had considered only a few weeks ago.
I have very much enjoyed meeting my fellow artists through this experience and hope we can all stay in touch or at least we will be familiar with one another if our paths do eventually cross that we can spark up conversation.
Thank you so much for the experience!
