Here are more of the 17 things I did this year. This time has a lot to do with broadening my artistic perspective. I learned some new things about myself and added some new skill sets.
5. I learned how to develop black and white film. I have always been in love with the camera, but the journey to developing film was rough. My fellow students and I used to joke about the chances of actually getting all of your film to develop correctly. In the process of putting the roll of film on the reel correctly, then putting it in the right chemical in the right order for the correct amount of time always made it iffy about getting specific images. We learned a lesson in how to make due with what you have. And a bonus was the sulfuric perfume of the chemicals that clung to your clothes for the rest of the day.
6. So the biggest challenge to making prints for me was fighting my aging body. When you reach a point in life where you need light to see, working in a darkroom can be troublesome. Finding focus in the dark can be a challenge, but it is all so worth it. I learned to use an enlarger to make prints from film I developed. It was challenging but expanded what I know about images and tone.
7. the easiest part for me was following instructions. I had never taken a drawing class so it was easy for me to listen to the instructor and do as he said. I did not have years of other instructors in my head telling me to do something different. The hardest part for me was not being able to erase. I learned how to draw what I saw, not what I thought I saw. In meeting this challenged, I learned new things about myself and what I could do.
Some of these things were never on my list as things to do. I am glad i got the opportunity to do them because they have opened up new worlds for me. I see myself as a different type of artist now. It has been powerful.
In 2018 go find you power.
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