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When I saw that I could only pick three items from the cornucopia, I paused to think about versatility and surprise. I decided on children’s mini paints because their bright, unpredictable quality could create interesting effects; a small paint brush to play with texture; and a few styrofoam balls to turn into three-dimensional details. With only 45 minutes on the clock, I sketched a quick idea of a martini glass and imagined using the styrofoam as olives. As I worked, I welcomed the imperfect coverage of the tacky paint and used the palette knife to layer paint roughly, letting the strokes stay visible. In the end, the piece felt playful and clear: the glass shape read well, the colors popped, and the styrofoam olives added a fun, tactile element. This challenge taught me to trust quick choices, embrace “mistakes” from odd materials, and focus on essentials—shape, contrast, and composition—rather than overthinking.
The piece that taught me the most was my first major oil painting: I painted two friends on the beach with waves crashing behind them. I had to learn on the go how to build texture for sand and ocean foam, choose bright colors for sunlight and water, and convey movement in the waves and wind in their hair. Because I was busy, I also practiced time management—planning sessions around drying times and balancing painting with other responsibilities. I experimented with thin underlayers and thicker strokes for highlights, mixing colors so the water looked lively and the figures felt integrated into the scene. This project taught me patience (waiting between layers), how to suggest motion through brushwork, and how to set realistic goals when time is tight. Now I carry these lessons—texture building, color mixing for vibrancy, dynamic mark-making, and planning—into every new work.
Right now, my strengths include adapting quickly to new situations—if materials or time are limited, I find creative solutions; using color and expressive brush or knife marks to set a mood; and weaving personal stories or symbols into my art so it feels meaningful. For example, I enjoy choosing bold palettes and letting the strokes show energy. Areas I want to grow: improving technical drawing skills like proportion and perspective, so I plan regular life-drawing practice; refining composition skills by doing more thumbnails and testing layouts before starting large pieces; and finally learning new materials like digital art tools to combine traditional textures with digital editing. These steps will help me build a stronger foundation and broader skill set.
My goals include deepening oil painting and mixed-media skills, building a strong portfolio, expanding technical and digital abilities, and connecting more with the art community. To deepen oil painting, I will set aside regular studio time for experiments (e.g., texture studies, dynamic scenes like my beach painting) and ask for feedback early. For the portfolio, I’ll plan projects ahead, photograph progress, and refine pieces based on critique so I have a varied set of 6–8 well-crafted works for applications or shows. To expand skills, I will schedule weekly drawing sessions, take an online course in digital painting software, and try projects that blend scans of traditional textures with digital editing. To connect with others, I’ll visit galleries or student exhibitions, apply for community art shows, join online or school art groups, and reach out to mentors for advice on internships or residencies. Following these steps will help me grow technically and gain confidence for next year and beyond.
I am planning on volunteering at the Cary Arts Center this summer!
Art 3 was great because it combined guided technical exercises (like oil studies) with open time for personal ideas. Critiques helped me reflect on my process and final results, and I appreciated supportive feedback from peers and the teacher. To make Art 3 even better, I would add guest artist talks or field trips to galleries for fresh inspiration. I also think that other medias like photography could be exciting.
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