I have some experience drawing, but prior to this class I
had no experience drawing still lifes. Freshman year my creativity was
channeled into doodling, and my artistic pursuits were limited to the margins
of notebooks and the pockets of folders. Drawing still lifes has altered my
view of scenery, landscape, and visual compositions in general. Specifically, the still life practice has
caused me to naturally identify shapes formed in negative space, and prompted
me to consider proportions of objects in relation to one another.
In addition
to enhancing my modes of looking, drawing has also provided me a means of
stress relief. Wedged in with scientific
assignments, drawing exercises my rights brain and provides me with cerebral
endorphins. The non-exclusivity of drawing is liberating. I can draw while I
listen to music, talk with friends, or watch a movie. In my academic day
dominated by tests of attention and complete focus, drawing is a breath of
fresh air. However, not all of my drawing pursuits have been stress-free. When midterms are approaching or final papers
are looming, the 6+hour commitment to a piece can be overwhelming. This split personality of drawing, and how it
can act as a stress-reliever or stress-inducer, causes my feelings about
drawing to vary. It is a turbulent relationship, but a rewarding one. The
feeling achieved when finishing a piece is without fail enthralling. Spraying
Fixatif on a finished charcoal 18 x 24 had become the most triumphant of
victories. In addition to improving my drawing abilities, this class has
provided me with a sense of balance, and caused me to employ time management skills.
Drawing
this semester has also made me realize my strong suits and shortfalls when
constructing an image, which is definitely indicative of a successful class. I
am far more confident in my abilities to invent an intriguing composition,
(it’s all about diagonals!), and am still unsure about creating realistic
planes in regard to perspective. Walking away with a confidence boost and idea
of where I can improve gives me the courage to continue drawing and the
humility to keep trying to improve and learn about drawing techniques. For
this, I am incredibly grateful, and am beyond excited to continue exercising my
creativity in a comic’s class next semester.
Since I was
young, I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children’s book. Though I
keep this goal in my back pocket, I have accepted the fact that if I don’t
achieve this, I will not be letting myself down. (Though my 5th
grade self might tell you otherwise.) However, it remains important to me to
hold on to art, hold on to my creativity, and nurture it. I have found at time
that I am concerned about maintaining this relationship. However, drawing at
Duke has alleviated my anxieties about losing my connection with art that began
so long ago. Even if I am not practicing art into old age, I hope to always
look at art with an appreciation and perspective that not every other person
possesses. I trust that I can accomplish this, especially with the support of a
great art department at Duke, which I have had the pleasure to experience this
fall. Thank you!
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