I would like to take this chance to extend my gratitude and thanks to my two art teachers for the past 2 (coming on 3) years. While looking at my most recent picture (of which will not be posted here), I found myself studying it and taking in details, wondering what they meant and thinking what subconscious influences I had projected into the piece. Before I knew it I was studying the values, the color 'temperatures', composition, etc, and linking them how they related to the subject matter. I could have written an entire artist statement and thoroughly enjoyed doing so; simply because I'm enthralled by looking at a piece of art and asking all the 'W' questions. "Why did the artist do this? What was the reason for this composition? Who can best associate with this piece/who does this represent? Why this color scheme? When does this image take place?" I may not always voice my opinions, but I always have them. It's fun to be able to look at a piece of art and, with some competence, talk about it. Not just say "Those colors are pretty", but more "The colors add depth to the picture. You get a strong sense of emotion and character." I know I always joke about 'art words', but really, I promise that I've learned them. Or am learning. It's kinda of a constant process sort of dealio, dig it?

I suppose I'm just getting one new breath of air after the other. Sparring with others and building my confidence/competence with weapons has breathed new life into my Martial Art practice; Walking around or just sitting outside for hours has given me a new appreciation for the world. I see things differently, I suppose. It's funny, cause I recall something like a year or so ago being asked by a friend of mine what I saw when I looked at the sky. Obviously, I said blue. Different shades of blue. But still just blue. Now I look at the sky, the trees, etc, with a new found appreciation and eye. I find myself studying faces more these days, or how the body moves. I notice features, how light bounces off or reflects from things, what colors are dominant in said light, etc. All of this has given me a better understanding of the world around me, and I like to think it's slowly starting to reflect in my art. Slowly slowly. Very, very slowly- but it's showing.

At the end of the day, I find myself being able to say that I learned/saw/realized/noticed something new more and more often. And it's a nice feeling; the feeling of discovery. After all, life seems dull and monochromatic when you think you know everything, or that nothing will surprise you anymore. Who wants that? Really?

I guess this became more then a thank you, but that's still its intent. A thank you to all my teachers- you probably know who you are.

Keep it Zen,
Mariah H