Little Thought

While flicking through the TV as you do, I came across a programme on Sky Arts called 'Work of Art: The Next Great Artist'. I decided to watch the last ten minutes of the episode, figuring out that it related to 'America's Next Top Model' in style. Replacing Photo shoots of the models with final pieces created by the artists. I found the last ten minutes quite interesting as you got to see the final outcomes of the contestants. Art has opened my mind to questions unanswered. If somebody says "It's not right." I start to think "Does it have to be right?". The only thing that annoyed me was that the judges stuck only to their opinion, their opinion was the only one that was right, of course theirs nothing wrong with that as it's what judges typically do but to be 'The Next Great Artist' you can't have everybody loving your work. The more exposed you are to this world, the more hate you're open too (and love). Even the most famous, talented artist have people who detest their work. 

Future Ideas For Future Projects

After completing first year I've been thinking about what to do in my sketchbooks for the following year. It excites me gathering information for future use and last night I felt a creation coming together.

I have always wanted to express my thoughts and feelings through art as it's something I hardly done in High School, of course you have to learn the basics of art but I felt restricted. So when our first unit 'Fine Art' came around in College, I felt like it was a chance to express what I wanted to express without any barriers. I decided to focus on my anxiety and panic attacks, positive thinking and hair pulling 'trichotillomania'. I absolutely loved doing this unit as I felt like what I was spilling out everything from my mind which made me feel amazing! Surprisingly I didn't have any panic attacks in first year, I have felt anxious, it nearly developing into a panic attack, but that's normal. I do continue trying to remain a positive outlook on things but I however still pull out my hair, definitely not as much as previously but I still do even if it's only one hair. I've been pulling for seven years and this year I'm determined to beat it so I can be more confident and happy with myself.
Since it was my very first unit I would love to carry on with the ideas from the sketchbook as I feel like I'm now able to express more due to my increasing knowledge and understanding of art. 

In previous posts I said I wanted to come out of my comfort zone and this is what happened.
I wanted to show the 'dark' side of pulling but I wanted to make a mockery of it also by taking hair and placing it in places where I can't grow it. Telling my mind that I'm in control with where my hair goes. I decided to make the photos black and white as I feel like they portray more emotion than coloured. One of the following photos also show the damage, the destruction of pulling. It may not be a pretty sight but it's the truth of what can happen.

'Reflecting' 2013-2014 Year Review

Since the first year of this course has been completed, done and dusted. I thought I would do a little review of my year.

 26th August to the 13th June

Looking back to the very first day, I was scared, very shy, very nervous and self conscious (I still am but isn't everyone to some degree?). I remember sitting between Caitlin and John (Jordan came and sat next to me later but then decided to abandon us and sit next to Martin instead, from then on I could clearly tell they'd be joined by the hip, take on the year together!). I sat with my hands clasped, in taking every word Siobhan and Niall had to express. "No eating in class, no cans or hot drinks either and no phones (as I was utterly shocked to see John clearly on his phone next to me). I wanted to obey the rules, be as good as I could be but everyone knows that rules get loosened during time!

I found the first few weeks when we focused on tasks like drawing the variety of shapes and being introduced to the different medias (that was the first time I ever drew with ink freely) very beneficial as I felt like I got eased into the course and had time to interact with the people in my class. Of course we had a lot to achieve in the course but at the time I didn't realize what was coming my way. The thought of even finishing two sketchbooks that were due in December frightened me! I thought that wasn't enough time. Comparing the work I done High School to the course, the work I produced in a year at school, I could probably produce in about two weeks if I really tried. 

When I arrived, I felt like I didn't belong in the class as much, I hardly knew anything about Art (movements, artists, tools, medias etc). Of course you learn as you go which I certainly did! but I couldn't help think that. I remember when Niall told us to go to Art Galleries, as many as we could and all I thought was 'why?'. I feel very bad saying this but my opinion has changed dramatically, you'll just have to believe me! but I thought Art Galleries were pointless and boring, just walking around aimlessly. I can not disagree with that more now! I love going to Galleries and discovering new pieces and looking for inspiration as I never know what's going make me tick! For me you have to discover to make art, you have to live your life to make art and seeing masterpieces in the flesh do benefit your creative mind.

I have always been interested in Art, from a very young age with making everything out of anything I could get my little hands on and Art is definitely something I want to make a career out of. Art is always on my mind, I try and look out for inspiration everywhere I go now.

Overall deciding to apply for this course (Fashion related/Psychology/Horse Care courses did cross my mind) has been one of the best decisions I've made. I'm not only taking part in further education but loving what I'm doing, it being something I'm passionate about. I'm surprised at how well first year has went, I've met some wonderful people who have inspired me and helped me grow/break away from my shy, quiet self and I'm very grateful for that! Couldn't thank them enough! I'm excited but nervous to see what second year brings but as long I keep saying to myself "I decided to join this course for a reason, to study something I'm passionate about, to create my future and to try my best at something I love" I feel like I'll stay strong, I want to remind myself that. I'm so proud of what I've achieved this year and being awarded 'Most Improved Student' (extremely grateful!) has made me realize that everything I've done has been worthy. I could go on and on about reflecting on first year and how much it's changed me but I'll leave it here for now. I still have a long way to go but second year is going to be another step in the right direction! 

Breaking Boundaries

*A couple of weeks ago*

While trying to gather, sort and do my best to complete, I was finally coming to the end of my Specialist Techniques unit on Street Art. This unit was my turning point, the beginning of a new way of producing pieces and ideas, pieces that i'd never imagine creating a year ago. I decided to chose this as my topic as it was completely out of my comfort zone, something that of course interests me also. 

I feel as though I was starting to label myself as the girl who does delicate, miniature detailed drawings of flowers etc. This was my chance to express myself more in a new, exciting way. "I may as well since this is what the course is personally about, walking down new routes and discovering secret strengths, finding out more about myself as an art student. Since the unit was coming to a close I thought, should I do some  actually Street Art? Siobhan suggested it to me awhile back but I knew that the answer I was going to give was no, never. I had to buy spray paint anyway to fulfill my ideas so two days before handing in my sketchbook I sat out in my garden spray painting onto paper and rocks that I found on past walks thinking "Why am I doing it the safe way?" It's called Street Art for a reason. After pondering over the idea, I decided to wait till it was dark outside. I encouraged myself to go out and do a bit of spray painting. Probably the most scared I've ever been at creating art. "When it strikes 11:30pm, I'll go out". I put on one of my hoodies (hood up, zipped to the top) and started walking with the clank of spray cans that I hid within my hoodie, clenching onto my stencil for dear life. Close to home, I chose a wall that held an electricity box. Stupidly I chose a place right under a lamppost (something that I've learnt not to do for the future) and quietly sprayed in bursts. The blurred outline of my eyes were forming on the wall. Carrying on with another, I went and down a step that was part of the stairs on the right of my house. I put my eyes also with the painted words 'LOVE YOURSELF' on top of the set. Writing something positive was my goal as I wanted to convey a message that could brighten up even just one person's day, even though it seems a tad cheesy, I think that it's something important that we should do, we should love ourselves for our personality and appearance. After creating them I felt quite guilty at the fact I just 'vandalized' for the first time, but it quickly melted away as the next day, while up in my bedroom I heard these two kids cheerfully saying "OH! love yourself!" to one another. 

This was my first attempt at this and of course I'm no 'Banksy' but it was a good experience that I risked taking.

*I currently don't have an image provided as I left my memory stick in my pencil case, at college, but I will upload one as soon as I can!* done.