the end of an era... or the beginning of a new one

So, for weeks I have been dreading this night--the eve of my last mtjw class. It really is a dreadful thought, and really does create a lot of anxiety for me- not only because it is my last class but because I had to write my final post for the quarter, and I really wanted to make it count, I mean who doesn't? And after a lot of thought, a few e-mails back and forth with my parents I think I just might have it!!! (if I can concentrate long enough to get it out)

It is quite the process for me to sit down and write this out-- first I have to get all situated, like get a snack (that awesome wasabi mix from parkers duh-thanks hannie), a glass of water and tonight I had to find the perfect movie to go along side my open window. What movie do you ask, after looking for quite some I decided to go back to my childhood and watch Rookie of the Year... terrible but, oh- so good. All little pieces wonderful distractions...

Anyway, back on track to what I have been constantly pondering for weeks--the final post. I thought and thought and came to the conclusion to think back to the beginning-- to the question that we as SCAD students have been asked from the beginning of our school careers-Why art? And for four years I have never been able to answer that very question, and I think I have the answer...

It all began in kindergarden, or at least I think it did... and man was I looking good while exploring my new interest in art, or so I thought in my gingerbread dress and missing teeth. I distinctly remember my first real exposure to art all the time when my family moved to Akron and the kitchen in our new house was stuck in the 70s... SO BAD, so orange...so ugly. I suppose my parents were so repulsed by it, they decided to use all the beautiful pieces of artwork that my sisters and I created- so we had our own special kitchen gallery!!! And from what I can remember-- it was beautiful, absolutely beautiful, I mean as beautiful as three young girls artwork can be in a burnt orange dated kitchen in Akron, Ohio. So, it was the kitchen gallery that I have concluded was my biggest inspiration, whether I knew it or not, to want to create and be an artist. But it wasn't just the kitchen that inspired me to create... there is one picture that constantly sticks out in my mind. and I must say it is definitely one of my best works. It is the only thing that I can still see in my mind today when I think back so long ago-- a portrait of my Dad. A beautiful portrait, if I do say so myself... and it definitely shows where my love for complimentary colors come from (or at least my love for blue and orange).

He really is a handsome man, if you couldn't tell from my painting. I really do think it was the beginning of my lifelong career, or so I hope. It is amazing how far I have come, to think that 17 years ago I painted a simple portrait of my father and today I am constructing jewelry that I never imagined I could ever make. And now all that schooling is coming to an end and I don't really know what to do with myself. Is it the end of an era? Or just the beginning of a new one? I certainly hope it is the beginning of a new one, that is just as great if not better than the last. I just hope I will be able to have as much fun while I am walking down the diamond paved road towards an EXTREME adventure. For now, I am just going to continue to eat my delish wasabi mix and keep watching the end of Rookie of the Year, and just keep pretending this era really isn't ending, but just taking a little break.