reflection

I am somewhat pleased with this piece. More importantly, I am inspired to push further without fear. I was encouraged during the critique on Monday to be more risky and even overwork the work if I need to. And I do believe that I do. I need to push the capabilities of the washes more than the refinement of the graphite. I need to strengthen my ability in applying acrylics and scheme how I can more effectively use them to my advantage. This first piece made me realize how much power I can wield through color and how much stronger my piece can be because of it.

My reaction to this piece is somewhat peculiar because after I finished applying the washes, I began to gain a conceptual enlightenment. I realized that the colors appeared to look somewhat muddy and washed-out, thus creating a rather dirty effect. I perceived this to be a perfect visual of how I come before my Maker time and time again... filthy in all my humanness, timidly lifting up my eyes to the only One who can purify me. This is intriguing for me as the artist, particularly because I struggle with feelings of condemnation quite frequently.

Art is like sailing to the edge of the earth and falling over the side into the unknown. Sometimes it is better to lose control of the navigation wheel and let yourself slip. My interpretation of this piece would not have occurred if I hadn't experimented with color and allowed the washes to react with the graphite. Now I am ready to experiment further and see what plethora of interpretations can be created.