Before I moved onto my current state of exploring photographs heavily with paint, I had a short digression period of really drawing and painting figures and faces- It's just been my habit ever since I knew how to hold a pencil. I have a great amount of passion of exceeding parts of art in techniques in my expectations, and almost last year of school, I thought it would be a perfect time to do that apart from my photography.
Probably the reason why I could not give up painting was in the past there were people who drew my face and gave me as a gift- and that was just a powerful source of positive memory that I could never forget. My art teacher back in my undergrad used to make us draw models in 15 mins for our fast hand practice. Awestruck of his skills, one day I was in class on my birthday and I asked him to draw me in that time for my birthday gift. That work still hangs in my room in Oklahoma- funny story, the custom framing probably cost way more than the paper and the materials used (laugh). But the frame done at Hobby Lobby had great craftsmanship, in turquoise color, I never get sick of looking at that color.
Another drawings were done by my longing friend who lives across the seas, another artist I always thank God that there is another Christian Artist who draws everyday for Jesus. He used to send me small sketches of my photos in Instagram, and of course on my birthday a portrait of me in blond hair was sent in a white frame.
I've been having those drawings of me for the longest time, and now I realize a tiny bit the power of art it has when it becomes drawing a person in front of my blank sketchbook. It means I observe them constantly, feel the emotions of the atmosphere, think about the memories, it goes beyond just imitating the shapes, lines, and shadows. As I received such lovely experience from the past, I did not want to give up so I could be the artist one day to draw someone as a gift. And the receiver will find the same joy I felt in receiving such gift.
The elements that I do not give up in my works these days are Hanbok, botanicals, and texture. The texture is actually built with my own photographs and watercolor paintings that were practices. Meaning, the background is not just a wall paper but a texture and a pattern created in my own memories of living the world creating such things. Somehow I have always been incorporating Seafoam Green since I had a commission last year and the client wanted that specific green in the artworks and I've been obsessed with it. It's such a mysterious color in between femininity, masculinity, and also between energy and calmness.
Also modeling paste is my best friend that I must have for my works- I had this modeling paste from Liquitex for so long that when I squeeze it the paste is actually matte and solid, not watery and glossy- which I loved because it created texture so quick and dried in short amount of time. I used all that and got new set from a different brand and I was so impatient because drying took forever!
The two experiments that I did opened my skillset to really incorporate photographs with mixed media. Can't wait to share more ! :)