30 Studies

After I finished my statement of what I wanted t accomplish this semester, I began the next assignment of completing 30 quick studies of my ideas. At first, the assignment was easy because I started out with a clear concrete ideas of what some of my subject matter was going to be. However, when I moved on to coming up with ways of challenging my skill level and exploring possibilities outside of the scope of my general interests, the assignment proved to be difficult. I started to realize that there were a million ways in which I could challenge myself and a million different subjects there outside of my range of interests. Surprisingly, my breakthrough came out of this low point in my 30 studies assignment. When I couldn't decipher on where I wanted to or needed to challenge myself and discover new subject matter, I forced myself to look deeper into the ideas and visions I already had. I was able to truly explore what it was I wanted to convey in my paintings and where I needed to push, in order, to get to that place I felt I needed to be as a painter. Once I arrived at this high point of the assignment, I was able to choose subject matter outside of my general interests. I learned more about what I am looking for and how to look for that in other genres outside of my own.

A question has arisen from my 30 studies assignment. I know what I am looking for and what I am trying to express through my paintings. However, my question is how can I make the viewer understand what it is I am trying to say. How do I create my composition in a way that is inviting to the viewer. A painting that can make the viewer feel invited into what I am exploring and even, allow that viewer to evoke their own emotions and apply that to my painting.