Artists have their own approach to storytelling, their own methods of communicating, and their individualized process of discovering new things about the world. Art is made so we can understand the human condition in a way that words cannot explain. We explore the spectrum of life in our artwork, from our most painful moments to our most joyful. There is no right or wrong way to do this, but there are methods that allow us to be genuine when sharing our experiences. Allow yourself to be vulnerable, find your voice, explore the depths of your soul, and answer challenging questions. When we use these methods successfully we build an intimate bridge between the artist and the audience. Each audience member will have a personal connection to the artwork, or a new understanding of the world they live in. Communicating our own experiences and emotions is an essential part of creating, but lifting up the voices of those who have been silenced is just as important. The comprehensive nature of art opens up an opportunity to learn something new about the world through each piece. We should use this to our advantage, so we can learn, grow, and evolve as artists and as humans. “Art is a language. . . It’s not a skill. . . It’s not something that you just learn to do and put it down. It comes from the heart.” Wynona Mulcaster
Artist Trading Card
Lighthouses are symbolic and traditionally viewed as symbols of hope and security. They also represent safety, individuality, and strength. I have found strength and individuality through art, and always feel safe in this community.
10 things to know
1. Art teaches us empathy. Sharing art with others allows us to be vulnerable and sensitive.
2. Sharing artwork with classmates, friends, and family is vital. We learn something new about our peers when we share our work with them. Critiques and comments help us grow as artists.
3. Learning about other artists and art outside of our own culture and community.
4. Keeping a record of the process while assignments and projects are completed. This is just as important as the final product.
5. Mistakes are okay and an important part of our process as artists and humans. We learn along the way and the challenge helps develop problem-solving skills.
6. To find our own identity through art and to celebrate differences. We can connect and understand each other on a deeper level through art.
7. Vulnerability allows us to create authentic art with meaning and emotion.
8. Providing students with different materials to explore, they should be accessible.
9. Artistic activism. We can use art to create social change and to empower young individuals to share their vision for the future.
10. Providing an outlet of expression to those who may struggle to find one on their own.
Recipe
Ingredients:
For model making using watercolor you will need the following ingredients.
1/2 cup of sunlight
1 cup of a clean cutting mat.
1 teaspoon of research images
1/4 teaspoon of x-acto blades
1 1/4 cups of bristol
1 teaspoon of zap-a-gap
1 teaspoon of patience
1/4 teaspoon watercolor paints
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup paintbrushes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep. Preheat your workspace by removing old scraps of bristol and foam core, then wipe down your cutting mat. Set aside your watercolor paints, cup of water, and paintbrushes for later.
Whisk dry ingredients. Add research images, x-acto blades, bristol, and zap-a-gap to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk through to combine using your patience, stir through mixture until combined well.
Mix in wet ingredients. Add watercolor paints, water, and paintbrushes to the mixture and mix together on slow speed until well combined.
Bake. Distribute the batter evenly between the 6 model chairs. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until your 6 model chairs come out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to dry for 10 minutes, remove the chairs and place them in a model box to dry completely.
WHEN I REALIZED I WAS AN ARTIST
1. Doodling on construction paper with crayons.
2. In second-grade my art teacher asked me to create a drawing for a quilt block that our school was putting together. I was so excited to see the final product.
3. My parents gifting me an art set and sketchbook in elementary school.
4. Painting in my great grandmother’s basement art studio when we would visit.
5. Creating my first plywood model box in high school for a play I wrote.
6. When my artwork was selected to be displayed in the school calendar in high school.
7. Designing my first set for Antigone and creating my first real model box made out of foam core and matboard. It is still one of my favorite designs and my most detailed model work.
8. Watching my first on stage design for Bastille Day on opening night with my family.
9. Watching my first solo design, a virtual show called Subliminal. It was scary to design for a digital format, but I enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot about film and photoshop.
10. Watching my senior show As You Like It at Purchase College on opening night. I felt so proud of what I had created and how hard I worked to get to that point.