Powerful influences in my life that have shaped me:
-my family/friends -making/viewing art -fear/anxiety -being a young woman -stories -my education This list has taken me a little bit to think about because I know there has to be many more things that hold a certain amount of power over me whether they be positive or negative influences. Of course, my family and friends are an extremely positive influence of power in my life. My parents, siblings and other familial supporters of mine have shaped my life and my direction in life. No matter what I do, despite mistakes I've made, they're there for me as inspiration, for support. I'm extremely lucky to have these human pillars to guide me. I can think independently for myself, yes, but they do hold a power over me because I do depend on them for a lot. They're powerful because they're who I constantly run to when needed. Making and viewing art is a powerful influence that has also given me a sense of power. Viewing any type of visual art is not just a means for inspiration for me but for entertainment and a longing to discover or confirm that people feel the way I do, that I'm not so different from others. And then making art has let me develop into who I am today, it has been something that has stayed solid. I can constantly grow, learn, and improve from creating. For some negative powerful influences, a constant has been an overwhelming sense of fear and having anxiety. Worrying makes nothing better or easier but it's my body and mind's way of dealing with thoughts, pressures, and experiences. In no way do I want this to have power over me and it's something that I will continue to try and conquer but I feel that this negative power could make me a bit harder or stronger later on if I find that there's no point to it, it won't define me or who I become. As a feminist, being a young woman is powerful to me because although I have my own self-image issues, its important to me to be able to love myself. Part of that is loving that I am a young woman, especially in the social climate we deal with today, it's important to be willing to be proud of who you are, to have a sense of self, and to ultimately be an advocate for change. Instead of talking and being the center of attention, I've always been more of an observer and good listener. Listening to people's stories, even watching or reading fictional stories inspires me immensely. Relatable context is something that I need and crave sometimes and so stories do give me that power and sense of not being alone. Lastly, my education is one of the most powerful influences in my life, sometimes negatively, sometimes positively. Of course to get to where I want to be, a lot of stress, hard work, and tears are going to come with that so I don't take the outcome of that work lightly. It's something I can fear, like a fear of failing something but it's also something I can be proud of in the end and that is what keeps me striving for the ultimate goal to be a successful artist, art educator, and human being. 1. Anything to do with what I stated above are images that affect me, especially if they're relatable to me in anyway. Again, it's a reminder that it's real, that other people think the way I do or go through similar experiences. 2. I think with a powerful image, the context is what gives the image the power. The meaning of a piece is everything and that could be interpreted differently to many people but it's the thing about it that moves you that gives it the power. 3. There are three concepts I wish to focus on in terms of power: inclusion, art as therapy as well as having a safe space, and communication as well as communicating art's value. Inclusion - As educators, I think it's important and powerful to provide an inclusive classroom where anyone can be free to enjoy themselves, to make something they're proud of despite the differences they have or the obstacles standing in their way. Everyone should feel like they're included whether they differ by gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability no matter it's level of severity. Art as therapy / Providing a safe space - Art and art classes have always been therapeutic for me and many other students. It's essential to create a safe space, a judgement-free space, where students can feel free to express themselves, to forget difficult things happening in their lives for just a little to learn and enjoy that, to not be fearful of mistakes made. Students should always feel like their work and themselves have value. A classroom with a feeling of safety, encouragement, and freedom to be themselves is something very powerful. Communication / Communicating art's value - I believe that communication is one of the most powerful concepts of teaching art. Communication between teacher and student, and communication between students. Building a sense of community in the art classroom would make a more fulfilling learning experience, a community of creators. Also, communicating to students that art in general and their art has value, that it's more than okay to express how they feel, their specific style, etc., at all times.
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LACIE SOLTArchives
May 2019
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