This year I took Art 4, and it was my first year in Deep Run’s upper level art courses. The first Art 4 critique, when we were reviewing our summer work, was memorable for me because it was much more involved than the critiques from Art 3. I was much more invested in it than I was in the Art 3 critiques, and it excited me for the rest of the year. Throughout the year I continued to develop a personal style. Since Art 1, I have generally stuck to painting. Within my paintings I have experimented with religious elements, childish themes, and animal imagery. I have been exploring themes of shame, guilt, and vulnerability, both physical and mental, as well as relationships between people. An interest in anatomy and human relationships with their physical bodies leads me to include imagery that suggests physical harm-like images of scissors, blood, and Band-Aids. Often, characters appear apathetic to the wounds on their skin to demonstrate a lack of connection to their physical bodies, an ability to ignore physical pain, or an ability to use it to one’s advantage. I also show characters as expressionless, or replace faces with inanimate objects, in order to express shallowness and emptiness. For (almost) every piece I’ve made this year, I have tried to write a short statement to correspond with it in order to develop a more concrete message in my paintings.
If I think about what I would do if I had to relive the year, I think that most simply, I would work harder. I wouldn’t say that I am unmotivated or lazy at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have pushed myself even more. I had 1-3 pieces for every critique, but I had plenty of time to make more, and should have. I would have tried to do more observational studies in my own time to improve my technique. I could also have tried to be more actively involved in the class, especially at critique. I feel that I have had a successful year, I’ve made around 11 pieces that I’m proud of and my technical abilities are much better than they were freshman or sophomore year. I have spent the majority of my free time painting, drawing, and brainstorming. I generally choose to work on portfolio projects instead of going out or watching tv, and I continue to work on my artwork even when it’s frustrating and unpleasant. Whether or not I enjoy the artistic process is a 50/50 gamble most of the time, but regardless I still make sure to complete projects not just to get the grade, but also for the satisfaction of completing a piece. I think I was also somewhat proud of receiving a Young Arts Merit award. (But it was only a merit award and my portfolio probably should’ve been better.) It was exciting though, to have finally received recognition for my work other than an Honorable Mention at Scholastics even if I probably didn’t deserve it.
Advice for Next Year's Students:
To better yourself, take outside classes. They will help to add to your resume when applying for colleges and summer residencies. Even if you can’t take classes, spend a lot of time outside of class teaching yourself to improve technically through practice or online sources. The DRHSArt program usually focuses on creativity/ideas, but I think that you still need artistic skills as a basis to succeed.
When it comes to critique, avoid making excuses-especially if your work is late. You won’t get in trouble, but it’s annoying for everyone when they give you advice and you say, “it’s too much work,” or “I can’t do that.” Do not refuse to try new things. Don’t say that you can’t paint, or can’t draw, or can’t sculpt because it isn’t constructive to your work to decide you can’t do things. Literally no one has natural talent, you have to work for it. Try to never bring unfinished work to critique, it’s incredibly awkward for everyone when they have to try to give you advice on a blank canvas. When critiquing others, you should also avoid staying quiet. You might think it will spare people’s feelings if you don’t speak up-but no response at all to a piece is much worse than harsh criticism.
If I think about what I would do if I had to relive the year, I think that most simply, I would work harder. I wouldn’t say that I am unmotivated or lazy at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have pushed myself even more. I had 1-3 pieces for every critique, but I had plenty of time to make more, and should have. I would have tried to do more observational studies in my own time to improve my technique. I could also have tried to be more actively involved in the class, especially at critique. I feel that I have had a successful year, I’ve made around 11 pieces that I’m proud of and my technical abilities are much better than they were freshman or sophomore year. I have spent the majority of my free time painting, drawing, and brainstorming. I generally choose to work on portfolio projects instead of going out or watching tv, and I continue to work on my artwork even when it’s frustrating and unpleasant. Whether or not I enjoy the artistic process is a 50/50 gamble most of the time, but regardless I still make sure to complete projects not just to get the grade, but also for the satisfaction of completing a piece. I think I was also somewhat proud of receiving a Young Arts Merit award. (But it was only a merit award and my portfolio probably should’ve been better.) It was exciting though, to have finally received recognition for my work other than an Honorable Mention at Scholastics even if I probably didn’t deserve it.
Advice for Next Year's Students:
To better yourself, take outside classes. They will help to add to your resume when applying for colleges and summer residencies. Even if you can’t take classes, spend a lot of time outside of class teaching yourself to improve technically through practice or online sources. The DRHSArt program usually focuses on creativity/ideas, but I think that you still need artistic skills as a basis to succeed.
When it comes to critique, avoid making excuses-especially if your work is late. You won’t get in trouble, but it’s annoying for everyone when they give you advice and you say, “it’s too much work,” or “I can’t do that.” Do not refuse to try new things. Don’t say that you can’t paint, or can’t draw, or can’t sculpt because it isn’t constructive to your work to decide you can’t do things. Literally no one has natural talent, you have to work for it. Try to never bring unfinished work to critique, it’s incredibly awkward for everyone when they have to try to give you advice on a blank canvas. When critiquing others, you should also avoid staying quiet. You might think it will spare people’s feelings if you don’t speak up-but no response at all to a piece is much worse than harsh criticism.