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| Idling, oil on canvas, 2010 |
We are finally done with thesis! My paintings turned out the way I wanted, though installion posed other problems for me to solve. A fellow student's installion piece in my room extended out on my wall, leaving less wall room to view my work. I then decided to display them on top of each other as a dyptich, to give the wall more space. This actually worked out nice compositionally, due to the interaction of the diagonals in both works.
The visiting critic, Beth, was helpful. Although she thought the top painting took place in the Italian Riviera, she was able to decipher the clear dichotomy between my works. She thought I was doing something very different in my works, and encouraged me to continue with this style.
My independent study professor, Marc, also evaluated my works. He thought there were beautiful moments in the works, like the aqueous ground in the lower painting. He told me to consider my edges, and how different edges convey different sources, or meanings. Moving on to the future, he told me to define my own success and pursue it.
My other professor, Hanneline, reviewed my works. She clearly read my paintings, and sensed them as a flip of a coin: The nostalgic background flipped to reveal the contemporary foreground. She thought the top one was more successful because she is able to get lost in the spaces, whereas the bottom space was more contained. She thought the bottom one would be more successful if I blurred the edges on the car, so the space would become more ambiguous. She thought I was doing something really different, and though I should continue exploring this style.
Overall, thesis was an eye-opening experience. It taught me to manage my time, have an informed point of view, and deal with problems along the way. With my thesis journey, I am ready to pursue future endeavors!
