Paintings: 2015-2016

      I have been taking art classes since 2012, and have painted since summer 2013. Classes have just ended, and I am pleased to present my work from the past school year. I have grown so much as an artist, and it has been encouraging to see the way my speed, creativity, and understanding have increased. Instead of staring at a reference and over-analyzing everything, I can begin to intuitively grasp what I must do to translate the image onto a canvas. None of my paintings are original works, since they are all copied from a photograph or painting, but each is distinctly my style and representation. Just as I was thrilled to find my voice in writing, it has been a gift to come so far in this other hobby and learn how to make beautiful things.

      This first painting is my favorite. It was the first large canvas I attempted, and my second painting of a person. The young woman in this image reminds me of both a favorite fictional character and a historical figure I admire. Now framed, this painting hangs over my bed, and I love looking at it. The scene conveys a sense of peace and introspection, and looking at the colors has a soothing effect. When I was younger, I was a major perfectionist and despised all my artwork, so it is also a tremendous personal achievement to know how to paint, enjoy it, and desire to display my work.

This is the first painting I did this school year. The camera flash overwhelms it somewhat, but I love the colors.

I modeled this painting off a calendar picture of the Asheville Bridge. The colors are much more vibrant in person, and the road almost looks transparent. I love staring at it.

I wanted to paint a mountain scene like one my friend Owen had painted, but my art teacher and I couldn't find the reference he had used and settled on another. She later found the picture we had in mind, so I painted that next, grateful that I already had practice painting rocks before I attempted the favorite picture.

      I am a slow painter, but after accomplishing four large paintings in a row, I knew I had advanced to the point where I could paint a small canvas quickly without getting bogged down in the details. I painted both of these yesterday in my last class and the session which followed, which I attended to make up for a week I was out of town. I painted both independently. My art teacher gave occasional comments or advice, but never personally did anything with them. I didn't think I could ever reach a point where I would no longer require her touch-ups, but have improved tremendously over the past year and am excited to realize how much I can actually accomplish.

2014-2015 Paintings
2013-2014 Paintings