Over the course of Art 4 and Art 5 each of you has had the freedom to develop a personal visual voice. Please articulate the stylistic tendencies you’ve adopted, being sure to mention the process, materials, and subjects you have investigated.
1. Please discuss the investment you’ve made in becoming the best artist you can be, including specific examples of the sacrifices you have made for the betterment of your creative work.
In the beginning of the year I was extremely dedicated, mostly because I didn’t have enough work for my college apps so had to make a ton very quickly. As the year progressed I began to lean a lot about the conceptual direction of my work. At the start, I didn’t think my work meant anything. I thought it was just all an exploration of texture but now my work means so much more. In critique, I had to display this extremely personal work to a room of people who knew nothing about me. Sometime the pieces were even about my classmates. This was a strange and awkward situation to be in but I grew comfortable with it. I’m not sure exactly how I got to this point but now I have a full and viable conceptual backing for all of my work. I can think of a "point" before I even start the piece which is a huge step for me. I have made huge strides this year, since I’ve been out of school I’ve made 3 piece which I hope to upload on my site soon. at the end of the year I had about 6 pieces/projects planned but I never felt like I had enough time to give the projects the time they deserved. I know I had class time but every time I tried to start a piece It felt wrong (i.e. my first two attempts of the piece I painted over twice.). since I’ve been out of school I’ve restarted and finished that specific piece. I made major changes and managed to finish it in 3 days. It one of my favorites. I’ve been planning/writing a small comic strip and short film. I plan on making work all summer so when I get to Pratt I’m ready to continue working hard.
2. If you could re-live this past year as an art student, what would you do differently?
Make more work. This year was very important for me, I went through so many stages that I could have captured. I didn’t know when I was in the moment that it was so fleeting. I regret that now. For example (and not to get too personal) I fell in love this year and 3 of my pieces were about that. They are 3 of my strongest pieces and I wish I could have made more work about that time in my life while I was actually in it. It’s hard to make passionate work about past feelings. I really enjoy looking back on work that captured such a crucial period in my life and I just wish I had more to look back on.
3. Describe an artistic accomplishment from the last two years of which you are proud.
Everything I’ve done in the last 2 years has been a monumental accomplishment. I never thought I’d make it this far when I entered the program. If you would have told me a year ago that I was going to get into all 4 schools I applied to with presidential scholarships to all of them also win a national scholastics gold metal I wouldn’t believe you. If I was told id be moving to Brooklyn at 17 to study art I wouldn’t have believed you either. I’m proud of everything I’ve done in the program but Im most proud in the fact that I know my freshman year self would look up to me if “she” saw my work and accomplishments. I accomplished everything I wanted to in this program and more. When I first came in all I wanted was a 100 on an artist study so I think I surpassed my freshman year expectations. But my expectation for myself now are much higher and even though I am proud of myself I don’t think I will be satisfied for a very long time.
4. Describe your most memorable experience from your time at DRHSART?
Probably meeting my best friends. More specifically Meagan but after she left meeting Emma/inducting her into my friend group was really amazing. After wishing I could get to know her for years we actually became really close friends which was cool. Eating lunch with my friends in the art room was the only reason why I came to school most days so thank you for putting up with our screaming.
Also, my art show with Torrance was an extremely special moment. I think that week we had to plan/set it up was the worst week of my life but it was all worth it in the end when so many people showed up. I Would have loved to do a second show with him.
5. Provide a little advice to the future students of this program to help them get the most from it.
Don’t dwell on a “style” or finding your style, you cant force it no matter how hard you try. Look at art you enjoy, lots of art. And eventually it will form. As a painter I have found inspiration in animation, film, music, all kinds of art. You have to be dedicated and maybe not everything you try will work but that’s ok, keep studying and trying. Welcome insults, make sure people know its ok to be honest with you about your work. It might hurt in the moment but use that pain to grow. Don’t place fake meaning on a piece, don’t force shallow universal emotional state onto you piece, its obvious when it means nothing to you, just be honest. If you made something because you love the color blue say that, don’t make up some bull in an attempt to validate your work. Its lame when 3 people in a row walk up there and say their piece is about feeling lonely, make it personal to you, put a new spin on it /the way it depicted. If it actually means something then put a new spin on it, make it personal to you and your experiences. BUT be EXTREMELY mindful of the symbols you use. For example, one of my earlier work included a slit throat. It wasn’t gory, it was just a stylistic choice I thought looked cool. But when I brought it to a college critic they first thing every critic asked me was “why are you depicting cruelty and violence against women in your work? “are you tied to domestic abuse?” and when I said “Um.. I just thought it looked cool..” they were immediately offended and informed me that I was depicting very intense subject matter in my work and if I was going to include it again it needs to be with purpose because the viewer doesn’t know my intention, they make their own assumptions. So, understand the weight of your subject matter/ symbols and don’t take it lightly. Or you will be torn apart at a portfolio review.
1. Please discuss the investment you’ve made in becoming the best artist you can be, including specific examples of the sacrifices you have made for the betterment of your creative work.
In the beginning of the year I was extremely dedicated, mostly because I didn’t have enough work for my college apps so had to make a ton very quickly. As the year progressed I began to lean a lot about the conceptual direction of my work. At the start, I didn’t think my work meant anything. I thought it was just all an exploration of texture but now my work means so much more. In critique, I had to display this extremely personal work to a room of people who knew nothing about me. Sometime the pieces were even about my classmates. This was a strange and awkward situation to be in but I grew comfortable with it. I’m not sure exactly how I got to this point but now I have a full and viable conceptual backing for all of my work. I can think of a "point" before I even start the piece which is a huge step for me. I have made huge strides this year, since I’ve been out of school I’ve made 3 piece which I hope to upload on my site soon. at the end of the year I had about 6 pieces/projects planned but I never felt like I had enough time to give the projects the time they deserved. I know I had class time but every time I tried to start a piece It felt wrong (i.e. my first two attempts of the piece I painted over twice.). since I’ve been out of school I’ve restarted and finished that specific piece. I made major changes and managed to finish it in 3 days. It one of my favorites. I’ve been planning/writing a small comic strip and short film. I plan on making work all summer so when I get to Pratt I’m ready to continue working hard.
2. If you could re-live this past year as an art student, what would you do differently?
Make more work. This year was very important for me, I went through so many stages that I could have captured. I didn’t know when I was in the moment that it was so fleeting. I regret that now. For example (and not to get too personal) I fell in love this year and 3 of my pieces were about that. They are 3 of my strongest pieces and I wish I could have made more work about that time in my life while I was actually in it. It’s hard to make passionate work about past feelings. I really enjoy looking back on work that captured such a crucial period in my life and I just wish I had more to look back on.
3. Describe an artistic accomplishment from the last two years of which you are proud.
Everything I’ve done in the last 2 years has been a monumental accomplishment. I never thought I’d make it this far when I entered the program. If you would have told me a year ago that I was going to get into all 4 schools I applied to with presidential scholarships to all of them also win a national scholastics gold metal I wouldn’t believe you. If I was told id be moving to Brooklyn at 17 to study art I wouldn’t have believed you either. I’m proud of everything I’ve done in the program but Im most proud in the fact that I know my freshman year self would look up to me if “she” saw my work and accomplishments. I accomplished everything I wanted to in this program and more. When I first came in all I wanted was a 100 on an artist study so I think I surpassed my freshman year expectations. But my expectation for myself now are much higher and even though I am proud of myself I don’t think I will be satisfied for a very long time.
4. Describe your most memorable experience from your time at DRHSART?
Probably meeting my best friends. More specifically Meagan but after she left meeting Emma/inducting her into my friend group was really amazing. After wishing I could get to know her for years we actually became really close friends which was cool. Eating lunch with my friends in the art room was the only reason why I came to school most days so thank you for putting up with our screaming.
Also, my art show with Torrance was an extremely special moment. I think that week we had to plan/set it up was the worst week of my life but it was all worth it in the end when so many people showed up. I Would have loved to do a second show with him.
5. Provide a little advice to the future students of this program to help them get the most from it.
Don’t dwell on a “style” or finding your style, you cant force it no matter how hard you try. Look at art you enjoy, lots of art. And eventually it will form. As a painter I have found inspiration in animation, film, music, all kinds of art. You have to be dedicated and maybe not everything you try will work but that’s ok, keep studying and trying. Welcome insults, make sure people know its ok to be honest with you about your work. It might hurt in the moment but use that pain to grow. Don’t place fake meaning on a piece, don’t force shallow universal emotional state onto you piece, its obvious when it means nothing to you, just be honest. If you made something because you love the color blue say that, don’t make up some bull in an attempt to validate your work. Its lame when 3 people in a row walk up there and say their piece is about feeling lonely, make it personal to you, put a new spin on it /the way it depicted. If it actually means something then put a new spin on it, make it personal to you and your experiences. BUT be EXTREMELY mindful of the symbols you use. For example, one of my earlier work included a slit throat. It wasn’t gory, it was just a stylistic choice I thought looked cool. But when I brought it to a college critic they first thing every critic asked me was “why are you depicting cruelty and violence against women in your work? “are you tied to domestic abuse?” and when I said “Um.. I just thought it looked cool..” they were immediately offended and informed me that I was depicting very intense subject matter in my work and if I was going to include it again it needs to be with purpose because the viewer doesn’t know my intention, they make their own assumptions. So, understand the weight of your subject matter/ symbols and don’t take it lightly. Or you will be torn apart at a portfolio review.