Some things from the past...

This post features some art pieces I did several years ago. As a young child I always loved art, but not until my early teens did I begin to really realize my passion for this area. Now, as I am fairly certain that I will go into art as a career, I look back and see that I have been headed toward this goal, unconsciously, all along.

This first picture is an oil painting of Chinaman's Hat from some time in 2003, when I was either 12 or 13. I don't really like this painting any more, at least not on its own merits. The water looks unrealistic and I don't like the colors I used in the sand. I do think the perspective is good, however, and the rocks and grass are good. This work has value for me, however, because it was one of my first "really good" paintings. I had never had the patience to paint much before, and the experience of creating this piece showed me that I could indeed enjoy creating art. And, what's more... people liked it!

I love this turtle. =) The reflection is really fake-looking, but the turtle itself is beautiful. I should paint another one of these...

Anyway, this was the next painting I did after Chinaman's Hat above. I learned volumes about brush control and color choice in this painting, and I am still pleased with the results.

I don't have this painting with me because I gave it to my grandpa in Washington, so sadly I don't have a good copy of it. I don't regret giving it to him though, because I love giving my art away--it's one of the best parts of the whole artistic process! Though selling artwork isn't all that bad either...

This last painting hangs on our kitchen wall. It was supposed to be my mom's birthday present in 2003, but I didn't finish it until two years later, in December 2005. This was partly because I stopped taking regular art lessons and consequently did not work on it much at all for long stretches of time. In addition, I kepton adding more leaves to that darn tree... ughhh. It took forever and I still don't like how it looks!

The only part of this painting that I am satisfied with is the fruit bowl. I really like how that turned out. But the painting as a whole was a bit of a disappointment to me. I don't like the composition or the perspective.

Nevertheless it taught me very important lessons about planning ahead and doing studies before starting on a final piece. I regret rushing into this painting without structuring it beforehand. Next time Iuse such a large canvas, I'll map everything out much more carefully!

When looking back at my artwork, I appreciate where I've been, but I'm also very glad for what I know now, and what I'm learning every day. It's funny to me that now, although I have expanded to digital art and photography, I still love traditional media--perhaps I appreciate it even more! And, though I don't know for sure what I'll do with all this, I can't wait to see where God will take me with art.