End of the year Post!

This year has been a whirlwind to say the least. Between work and school, finding time for art, blogging especially, has been particularly difficult. I didn't post much, but I knew that I probably wouldn't go crazy with it, it's not quite my thing. I do wish that I had put more focus into my art the rest of the year. In the beginning, I always jump head first into every project, never thinking too much about it, just knowing that it will work itself out. Around the middle of the year, I tend to fall off. The same thing happened last year, and I told myself I wouldn't let it happen again, but here we are. Whether it's my dislike for clay and metals, or the anxiousness to finish the year I'm not sure, but it's something I need to work on. As I reflect, I try not to be disappointed in myself. This year was beyond busy, recreational art was not really an option, I didn't have time to sit and draw like I did before. But I'm going to make the time now, I have to. Writers always say that they are writers because they can't not be, I think it's the same with artists. I find myself itching for pens and pencils when I should be doing homework, or while I'm wasting hours away behind a counter at work after school. I can't help but think, next year it will be different. I will be totally consumed by art, I won't have a choice, and I am so incredibly excited. I know that I will need to push myself, and that it will be much more difficult than it was during high school, but I think I've been prepped well enough. I cannot wait to exert myself, force myself to think and work harder. To reach my limit, and then surpass it in every single way. To set new highs for myself  and to succeed and achieve. I have grown this year in a lot of different ways. Artistically definitely, but I think I finally found my niche. I've learned that not everyone is going to do the same thing, and that to be different, you have to stop comparing yourself. I do what I'm good at, what makes me feel inspired. I'm reminded of the love I hold for creation when I am painting or drawing and stop and realize how consumed I am by it, like nothing else has ever mattered. You can't wish that you drew or painted like someone else, you'll never become an individual if you have that mind set. I finally learned that this year. So, while I may have dropped the ball in various places (I apologize Mrs. Kiick!), I think that I have learned the most valuable lesson out of all four years of art. To be proud of your work, to let your passion take over and be confident that in the end it will be nothing but your own.

Side work!

I started this at the beginning of the year with no real idea of what I was going to do with it. It sat in the classroom covered in watercolor, modeling paste, and tissue paper for quite awhile. I tried to start a drawing on it with ebony pencil, but soon nixed the idea. After pondering over it for quite awhile, I just went on a whim and drew something that was vaguely animated and a bit too cartoonish for my preference. When the face was all finished I was at another loss as to how to add some sophistication to it. I went a little bit crazy on it, and this was the result. I'm pretty pleased with it, plus it was a ton of fun to work on.

More self-portrait -_-

This is yet another post about the self portrait. I've become pretty tired of looking at myself for these. I didn't really put up a totally finished version of it, but here it is. I am less than happy with it, I was expecting it turn out much differently. Enjoy!

Metals \m/

I always love looking at what other people have created during the metals portion of the year. It is not my favorite thing to do, but I am having a much better time than I was last year. I was able to decide on a design that I really like. It will most likely be a pin and it is a bit compass inspired. Though I don't have pictures of it just yet, I am hoping to put some up soon once I accomplish a little bit more!

Identify

As much as I love mixed media, this collage has given me quite a bit of trouble. I couldn't find the right images or media to portray what would be considered my "identity." After a few pieces and processes that left me unhappy, I finally started and finished one that I like and feel fits me pretty darn well.

Edgar Degas

 Edgar Degas was born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar de Gas on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France. Degas came from a very musical family; his mother was an amateur opera singer and his father often scheduled for musical artists to perform in their home. Edgar Degas showed remarkable skills in drawing and painting at an early age, and was profusely encouraged by his art-enthusiast parents. After studying at the Louvre, learning and growing as an artist in Italy, Degas returned to Paris in 1859 intent on making a name for himself. He submitted his work, a series of large portraits of himself and his family, to the high-achieving Salon. Though they approached his work with a level of uncertainty, Degas had become a known part of an avant-garde group of artists by 1886. Many were quick to call him a impressionist, Degas however, met that title with distaste and preferred to refer to himself as a realist. His identity as an artist was something he struggled with most of his career but it never deterred him from creating or growing.
  What I like about Degas is his ability to show every side of a person. Many called his work misogynistic and overtly personal. However, while he did show an intimate side of the human figure, he also managed to capture every awkward or natural movement it as well. While his work was delicate and beautiful, he also depicted the things that people are most self-conscience of.What I find most interesting about Degas is that he considered himself the least spontaneous artist. He believed that if painting weren't difficult it wouldn't be so fun. Many artists are intent on going into length about how art has always been second nature for them. Degas was not uncomfortable with admitting that for him it wasn't always like that.

What was unique about Degas was his ability to capture a myriad of emotions within one beautiful and captivating painting.

Inked

I finally finished the painting portion which meant moving onto the next part; inking. Last week I covered the whole painting in black ink in the morning and by the afternoon I was able to rinse it off. Once it was dry I began working back into it with the colored pencil. It's been a little disheartening because I had been so enthusiastic about the painting itself, and I'm having a little bit of trouble with the colored pencil. It isn't exactly turning out the way I envisioned it, but I'm being persistent and sticking with it. I'm starting to wish that I hadn't jumped head first into it, but I'm working with what I have. I know that if I keep working diligently on it I will be able to work around any troubles I had before. I have before and after pictures of the inking process and hopefully I'll put up a couple of the painting with colored pencil sometime this week.