Issue 2 - Flipbook - Page 10
(ABOVE) EARLY ACRYLIC PAINTING EXPERIMENTING WITH ABSTRACT THEME
Comics played a huge role in gaining confidence in my own
work without judging myself too harshly and just enjoying
the skills I learned from basic repetition. I would see a panel
on the page then move to another. The characters in the
comics started to look similar to the characters on my pages
and I felt great. X-Men and Spider-Man excited me because
of how many of the artist's drawings gave them unique
movements, which gave me extra practice. Spawn was as
explorative as it came to unique capturing on paper but what
happened next after years of replicating pages from comics?
I wanted to learn more of course. I touched a paint brush a
few times by age fourteen but hadn't put much practice into it
since I was learning the basics of drawing. For several years
before feeling like I had met my match I studied various
artist's biographies. I learned the techniques of the comic
artists as well as fine art painters around this time but
learning of their life stories put many things into deeper
perspective. Mostly reading about their beginnings
encouraged me to keep going with my studies but never stop
looking for inspiration in whatever you're doing, grand or
small.
THE START OF SOMETHING SPECIAL
My favorite painters around this time of mystery and intrigue
were Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso (rose and blue
period), and Vincent Van Gogh. These men were constantly
spotlighted in art classes and general art discussions. I
realized many years later after starting my practice with a
paintbrush why these guys are still mentioned today.
Specifically in middle school I started to study more into
painting but not actually work on any paintings, just observe
through videos.
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I remember Bob Ross being inspiring to watch on PBS and
listen to him explain his process during a time when I was
more interested in learning different art practices besides
drawing. Though I did keep up with my studies in various
topics surrounding art because of school curriculum, I
remember how I craved more challenge every passing year up
until I actually started painting. I think the beginning of new
things happened with my 2nd art contest win in 8th grade. I
drew a piece from Da Vinci for Law Day that my class was
told was for a grade. I was unaware that my teacher entered
his students into this for anything. So, imagine to my surprise
when I found out I was one of 3 students in the state of
Louisiana for 8th grade to be a winner for Law Day. I forgot
who sponsored this, but I was in disbelief and shock. I didn't
think the piece was good much less good enough to place
anywhere for judging, but I won 3rd place for the state of
Louisiana. I was featured on the morning news with other
students in state with a complimentary luncheon at a fancy
hotel dining room. All the winners were assigned tables for
each of our schools with our principals present. My parents
were there as well, and I remember receiving my award and
certificate to remember this day proudly. I found out at the
event that everyone's pieces were gonna be displayed at my
city's courthouse, which excited me more. This my first big
milestone and I felt more assured that my practice with
drawing was actually successful.
