Final Project

For my final project, I was probably the most invested that I have been all semester. The thought, time, and energy that went into it exceeded what I had done for other projects. But, it was also far more rewarding. It was an extension of the generosity project I suppose, and a collection. I wanted to give away this collection though. I think there is a gift in it for us when we give away things we value--things we invest in. Each of these stamps became a totem of sorts for how I view and what I value in each person in the class. A magician's hat for James, A lily for Aria, a whale for Nathan, and a fig for Alexis. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of this project and the end result. Each card has a note inside specifically for that person, not read to anyone else (unless they choose to share). I kept it a secret from the class until the very last day when I gave them their card and their stamp to keep. It was a beautiful moment of sharing and giving. I hope to continue work like this.

"Happy Feet"

A 5x5 video project that Alexis Ireland helped me shoot. These clips for me were about energy, fun, and the music that we can make with our body--particularly our feet. I love the different sounds the different motions make, and the difference of surface. It was a fun project that was full of energy for me.

Generosity Project

This project was especially inspiring and heartfelt for me because I wanted to incorporate things I really loved and valued and make it something I could continue--a way of living artfully. So I used a stamp I had made before, pictured printed above, painted it onto some hand-cut cards, and wrote notes to people. Before I wrote the notes I prayed and thought of these people extensively. Wanting to take great care with what I wrote. Pictured is one I wrote to the class. I also wrote notes to friends in need of encouragement and some that I will never give, that are to people I do not know, or people groups I do not encounter. I felt a special sense of value in writing a card I cannot give--of praying for people I cannot see. There was something beautiful about sending my love to people who did not know.

10 Day Ritual

"Reflections" 

For 10 days I committed to going to Butterfly Beach for around 20 minutes each day and reflected on different versions of the Bible verse John 7:38:
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" (NIV)
"Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" (NLT) 
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (ESV)


Then I wrote a poem of reflection on that day, where I was at, and where that verse found me that day. It was a beautiful and peaceful experience that transformed that space for me and made it feel more private, although it is very public. 

"The Ghost of Telephones Past"

This was a group installation with Aria Hammon that was actually a lot of fun to think and plan. There were some minor things (like attaching it to the telephone booth better) or having a title of the piece being seen with it that would have added to the humor of the piece. But Overall, I still enjoy the piece--it was whimsical and way different than anything else I have done before.

Drawing on Object

As it is my senior year, I wanted to create something that felt representative of new life and all kinds of possibilities. This is what came out of that. I thought of a baby in a womb and went with it. I am actually pretty intrigued by the finished product. Working with the wood was difficult at times to draw on, but I love how it looks as the backdrop, and how the wood interacts with what the drawing itself symbolizes. All the possibilities of what wood can become.

Assemblage

This piece was especially fun to create as I have worked with this exact stone before while I was in a sculpture class. It also felt like it developed very organically and flowed directly from my brain into the project. It felt wonderful seeing it in actuality and I love thinking of all the possibilities for what it can represent.