2023 Reflection Essay - Year of Trial

In the past year, Art III has taught me three things: the reason I make art, what it means to me, and what art may hold in the future, all of which I will discuss later. I have specifically learned new technical skills such as wood carving, constructing a canvas, and creating abstract work. I learned about art history and contemporary artists, such as Tabaimo, who inspired me to take risks. I have seen substantial growth in the content of my artwork, which has become much more thoughtful and conceptual than ever before, especially when compared to my work from Art II. Despite this growth, I need to improve my planning; my tendency to rush or lose inspiration was an exacerbating problem. I also wish to stop comparing my art to others since it is a handicap that keeps anyone from being all they can be. The most important thing I have realized over the year is that I make art because it brings me joy and makes my life more meaningful. I have practically burnt myself out by trying to impress others with art, which makes me like my work less and less. I hope to kick start next year with artwork that follows good design principle but also add to my life and are precious to me. Art has always been an outlet of emotion or things I am passionate about; I desire to create artwork that sends a message. However, I will also produce work for its aesthetic value and emphasize that element. More than a hobby, art may be a future I look forward to. I will open an art store one day, but I have yet to decide what medium/style is my own. I am confident I will start to figure it out in Art IV. I believe my independent work will begin to take a turn toward a more aesthetic/cultural route; however, I may continue with my activist streak from last year. Overall, it has been a trying year that has taught me much, and I look forward to putting these lessons to good use in the studio. I will end by thanking Coach Hall for this year, what he taught us, and my family for liking and keeping all the work I would have thrown away.