Reflection (5)

          For the past seven weeks, there have been several realizations I have come to terms with during oil painting that I think I should reflect on today.  Not only have I seen improvement in painting technique, but I also have found improvements in myself.  To recap, oil painting has been an interesting experience, as experimentation revealed many lessons. I learned many lessons that I wouldn't have if I just learned from a textbook, and through learning lessons differently, I learned to look at the world differently.

         This blog post isn't going to be the things I didn't say, but the things that still linger upon inactivity.  I didn't look up instructions online for how to paint a tree, or how to mix turquoise, I made a guess, and even though I made mistakes, I learned more from learning not only what to do, but also learned what NOT to do, and I think that revealed my true potential.  Reading from a textbook won't teach someone how to code or cook unless they use the oven or type something, because getting something perfect each time kills the need for improvement.  When I went out into my own style, and did what I felt like, I messed up, but I also improved by not doing the same action the next time around.  I made my own lessons and experiences to learn from, and I think that not only I improved at painting, but I was also more confident in my ability, and happier upon painting.

        I felt that explaining an experience was too narrow, because I said that you could only learn from your own experience, while teaching a new experience.  I felt a little muddied the day of presentation, but I think the message of breaking the barrier, and doing what you felt like doing was a strong message that I endorsed during the presentation.