I’m currently working on my Masters of Art in Art Education (through Boston University’s online graduate program) and thought I’d share the piece I did for our “Adolescent Journey” assignment.
Circle Key, Mixed Media Digital Artwork, 2010
Reflecting on my childhood and artistic growth, I see a reoccurring focus on nature with particular emphasis on water and movement. I recognized my passion for art at a very young age, and for as long as I can remember have been exploring creativity. Throughout childhood and adolescent years, I spent a month each summer with my mother, sister, and grandparents in the Florida Keys. Since my teenage years, the trips have become a bit shorten and more infrequent, however I am certain these memories and moments surrounded by nature’s beauty have greatly influenced me artistically. My family has also moved numerous times, and I feel these trips to Florida acted as my constant – the one place I knew I would always have.
For this piece, Circle Key, I choose to work with mixed elements from my past and present. The photographs of my sister and I were taken in the Keys. The colorful abstract image that spreads across the entire frame is a painting from 2003 entitled Earthly Elements(shown below). It is meant to depict waves crashing, driftwood, sunshine, and hibiscus flowers. Interestingly, I’ve realized most of my abstract work, new and old, has included similar bold marks with broad curved motions. I have realized that similar to the presence of motion, circles have also appeared intentionally and unintentionally throughout my work. I chose to include two black and white photographs from 2007 entitled Curvature and Froth(shown below). One focuses on bubbles while the other was taken from beneath a circular, winding staircase. Circles surround us in ways that are obvious and hidden, and to me, represent continuity and longevity.
I believe there are countless influences that mold an artist into who they are, and there are often various meanings behind what seem to be even the most basic concepts. Nature and circular movements are strong elements present in my artwork throughout my adolescent journey into today. In order to fully grasp where an artist stands today, I feel it is important to acknowledge where they were in the past. Beauty is achieved when art not only touches the life of a single individual, but also extends itself to a wider audience and offers a lasting relationship. I believe art should always look to the past, reach toward the current time and last beyond the future.
