My first semester of my MFA
I think I’d like to document my thoughts and ideas through my master program. I don’t think a lot of people will read this but if you are, hi! I’m Ana, I’m a professional artist that just graduated from my undergrad program this year, so saying that I am a professional is an adjustment for me. I value learning and I will always consider myself a student to some degree. One of my biggest challenges in my practice right now is finding my footing within routine. In undergrad, my focus was painting. I would wake up early and go into the painting studio and paint for a couple of hours before my 8am painting class met. I settled into it and obviously there are periods of time where the creative juices are slow and so is that routine. Adjusting to graduate school has been such an adventure. I am not in a painting class, I am doing printmaking and sculpture and exploring my relationship to material, ideation, how to generate compositions using a completely new process. I cannot even begin to tell you how many ideas I have tossed through this semester. My first weeks were solely making plans. This level of schooling is putting my sense of confidence and skill to the test through processes like MIG welding and all the variations of printmaking. It’s difficult to find the perfect balance of time so I can complete all my tasks regularly. I also obsessively think about my projects and my colleagues have all expressed the same. We all, eat, sleep, breathe our projects. My favorite parts have been how I am creating every day. Every day I paint, weld, draw, print, edit photos, write, and discuss my work with other creatives. It is such an astounding experience to be around other like-minded creatives everyday. We work in our studios together and give each other critique, have capuccinos and dance breaks. I’m curious how my final works will turn out this semester and I look forward to new growth within my range of art and deepen my roots within my sense of style and self.
Thanks for reading stranger,
Ana
