I created this mixed media piece for my Advanced Drawing final. The final period was my very last undergraduate class, so I wanted to create an ode to my life so far as an artist. I knew that I wanted to make something three-dimensional, so I decided to hang a series of small drawings from a branch. I feel connected to nature and birds, which symbolize growth and change. 

I began by drawing myself finger painting as a child, and decided on the remaining works after. I did not follow the original plan for the rest of the pieces, and ended up making less than I thought. Rather than being disappointed that the piece didn’t go to plan, I used the opportunity as a way to practice adaptability through art. 

I applied a cohesive, muted color palette which I commonly use within my graphic design. I tend to avoid black in the art as it sometimes distracts from the subject; instead, I used dark blues and purples to create value. The final piece shows my journey of becoming the artist I am today. Art is intertwined within my identity, and something I am proud to call my own.