While I did not need to be convinced of going to art school, as I have been already accepted into UVA Architecture early decision, it was nice to get a bit of insight into the program I will be attending. A lot of the reasons Bailey was interested in the program are like mine. I did not want to go into a traditional art major, and enjoyed specifically building in minecraft. The prompt he shared was encouraging even though it was complicated. It seems like there is a great deal of creativity with in the major - something I was concerned about when initially applying. He did not, however, assuage my fears about the work load. It seems some sleepless nights are in my future.

Last week, for the VMFA young at arts program I volunteer for, I explored the Modern and Contemporary Art exhibit. This is a permanent exhibit in the museum, with some pieces rotating. For the program we analyzed pieces with human subjects, specifically people with some familial relationship to one another as an exploration of the idea of family. The children are preschoolers so the discussion about them was not extremely deep, but as we were walking out of the gallery I spotted "Optic" which caught my eye. This piece is very similar to the paintings of neon signs that I have done. There is, however, room for me to grow. There shadows on this piece are dynamic, and it is clear the artist took time in selecting and changing reference to fit his needs. Also along this line the composition is intentional, and avoids the often stagnant, flat feel that neon signs can fall into. Moving forward in my art I hope to apply these concepts for dynamic pieces. 

Background:
- Bachelors at the School of Visual Arts in New York (photograpy)
- MFA in film making
Film making:
- documentary photographer
- documentary film
     RAISING APPALACHIA - mountain top strip mining
Short films:
- organizing shots in a poetic way, focus is on the feelings being evoked
- COLOR, FORM, POETRY

When watching the films that Freyer made I thought it was interesting that the main focus was not on telling a story, but on evoking a feeling. For me this is a difficult idea to grasp because as I am painting and drawing something I am constantly making up stories for each aspect even if I do not tell any one it. I think that is why I found abstract art so be unfulfilling. Never the less her work definatly generated an emotion. I also was interested in the extream differences that were present in the films she made. 

On halloween, the art department viewed a presentation on Japanese aesthetics through the lens of the western world. We talked about the major components of this style which are: Wabi, Sabi, and Yugui. The general premise is that the beauty is focussed on simplicity and remembrance as apposed to in the western world where there is a more gaudy view of beauty. What I found interesting about the presentation was that it seems like the Japanese view everything like a memory, they can be simple and sometimes sad but in the end most memories are beautiful. In America we see beauty as a more objective thing, either it is or it isn't, but in Japan it seems that beauty is what each individual makes of it.  

Hamilton Glass is a wonderful artist who spoke to us about his journey. His talent for art was realized when he was young, and he stresses the importance of foundation skills even when they seem repetitive and boring. He became a mural painter, not because he wanted to be an artist, but because he wanted to create. By what seems like happenstance, his work was noticed. Glass pushed the idea of a good work ethic, that he learned while getting a degree in architecture. This is an important lesson that everyone needs to learn. What you expect to be difficult may not actually be where the road block is. In his presentation he said "the hardest part of my job is not painting, it is managing the projects." 
Painting murals in Richmond, Glass found an issue. Many of the muralists focus on ​their personal expression as opposed to the culture and community of Richmond. While it is wonderful that many talented artists from out of state/country, the culture of Richmond should also be showcased. Glass decided to solve this issue by working with with communities and schools in particular to make murals that are focussed around them. You can see work by Glass and more information about him by going to the website link below.

Colleen Phelon Hall spoke at Maggie Walker to a group of students about her experiences painting murals. She discussed past projects as well as her most recent project with Senior Connections. She discussed in detail how when doing work that is commissioned by others an artist must find a creative way to do what they want while abiding by the wishes of the client. While describing her project with Senior connections, Hall described how important community interest and participation can greatly impact a project. Her project worked with the community and those of all ages in order to make a mural that portrays the ideas of the community it represents. This idea of collaboration to reach a goal is an important thing to keep in mind when doing large art projects and through out the rest of your life. 

Molly O'Neal brought up many excellent points about finding a path in what ever you do in life, as well as helpful tips for design, in her speech to the Maggie Walker Art Lunch Time Lecture. Her advice on presenting yourself to those you meet is exceptionally useful in the world of art, as well as her advice to "love your art, but not too much." This idea is that inevitably, perhaps your employer, will shoot down a piece that you are passionate about. You should not only create art you do not love, but should keep in mind that it may not be as loved by others. I may implement her process of drawing something terrible, ugly, and that you hate in order to fuel better ideas when you are having drawer's block.