I didn't grow up wanting to be an "artist." I did torture my friends by making them sit for portraits as early as elementary school (isn't that what everyone does at recess?) but my 10-year-old self didn't think art was a practical career.
I still don't think art is a practical career. However, while practical sometimes means "wise," it can also mean, "path of least resistance"--a path I try to avoid. Letting gravity make my choices always seems to pull me down.
Fortunately, I am blessed with family, friends, and mentors who have fostered my artistic growth and given me the chance to pursue painting--a life's work that is neither practical nor free from resistance.
Why have I decided that it's worth it? I've distilled the answer down to two main reasons:
Exploring the visual world. I am constantly in awe of the dancing symphony of lines, shapes, and colors available to the human eye. My hope is that if I can paint someone a window into seeing the beauty I find in the world, it may help them on their own path to finding joy and contentment in their surroundings.
The second goal for my art has surfaced as different areas of my life have come together. I love people and exploring human nature; trying to understand what motivates people's choices is fascinating. I aim to preserve natural beauty in my paintings, while also speaking honestly about human tendencies and behaviors we would rather deny, hide or ignore.
Love, Fearless (under "Conceptual") is my first work of this sort. I am currently developing ideas for more paintings that follow this idea.
It may be some time before carrying them out--I have a lot to learn before my skill set will facilitate my ideas. As a student, I am focusing on mastering the visual language of painting and drawing. Under the watchful eyes of my instructors, I am developing the ability to accurately see and understand the world in front of me, and translating that world to paper or canvas.