Artist's Reflection

Title: A Mother's Love

Creator: Laylah McPherson, Class of 2027

I knew my life would never be the same because of the freshman year drawing classes I took with Professor Stanger. When I came into college, I did not know what to expect or if I would even like my intended major of art therapy. These art classes I took with Professor Stanger pushed me greatly with my art, made me question my technique and how I viewed the world. At first, I was unsure of my skill and how to manipulate different mediums. But as I took these classes I began to get a sense of what I wanted to create and found that, through my childhood pictures/memories, I could make art that reflected my emotions. This helped me realize the purpose of art therapy, expressing emotions through art and allowing people to feel like they can participate in their emotional growth. It came back full circle to me as I looked at my art from the beginning of the class to the end of my second semester drawing class of how far I have come. I was using the theme of childhood experiences/memories to bring my work to life and to help my process my emotions and my creative process.Ultimately, I created a charcoal drawing out of a picture of me and my mom when I was a baby to evoke that emotion of a mother’s love. Seton Hill has helped me learn and grow as a holistic person.