Before and After

August 2013

This little drawing here on the left is the very first 20min. drawing I did when I came to Ringling in my figure class, and the on at the bottom right, is a 20min. drawing I had to do today.  I don't know how much I've improved, but I do believe that I have learned a whole lot. More than I could have imagined. At first this class was extremely intimidating and I felt as though I could never amount to what more than half of the students do here, as Ringling is like the Harvard for artists - so many talented people - I am honored to be surrounded by them. But instead of looking at people in this way, and feeling down in the dumps all of the time because I feel like I won't ever improve, I decided to learn from them and ask questions. Why do they do what they do? How do they do it? I ask for their advice, and simply make friends out of these people.

December 2013

It is finals week and I'm hoping that I will have the strength and courage to do the best I can with every project I am given. I'm so thankful to God. I've made it thus far without failing, and I've been learning so much! At first I thought that my imagination was watered down and blocked when I arrived here. but no, what has happened? My imagination has been watered. Nurtured. Put through the flame. Refined. I hunger now. I long to improve and adopt a style where my hand can move freely, without wondering where limbs go and if they're in proportion. I can feel it! I know that I can! I have stories to share!

This last picture below is my attempt to tell a story. Facial expressions are my favorite things to draw, because when I draw them, I end up laughing no matter what is going on in the picture. I don't like my current way of drawing faces and people at all. But all I care about is that I enjoy myself while I draw, and that's what's going on so far.

It's finals week and I'm tired. But I'm also determined.
I'm determined to get through this last week of Fall Semester and finish my projects the best I can. I really do want to do a good job. I hope and pray that everything will turn out alright.