I know Europe was over a month ago, but I can't stop thinking about it.
I could tell tons of stories and list off everything I got to see, but the pictures can do that for you.
I just want to talk about what I learned.
I know it sounds cliche and cheesy, but I did a lot of growing up this summer. A few friends have told me that it really shows. Before Europe, I was floundering. I'm still not on top of things, but I know what I have to do. But I REALLY was floundering- in my art, my schooling, my relationship to others and to myself.
The first thing that happened in Europe was that I was inspired and motivated artistically. Wandering through the art museums I could find made me realize how badly I want to make good art. I know I have the talent (I'm so modest), I just need the motivation to go at it and take risks and produce a lot of crap to get to the good stuff that's hiding somewhere in my head.
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| My Favorite Van Gogh was in a little gallery in London! |
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| Damien Hirst at the Tate Modern |
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| Roy Lichtenstein at the Scottish National Museum of Modern Art |
The other thing I realized was that artists have to work hard. I know that sounds repetitions of what I just said, but it came at a different time. I was motivated, but I didn't realize how hard some of the kids in my program really work. One of the people I got the closest to on the program is one of the hardest workers I've ever met. He spends so much time sketching and editing and sketching other ideas and just going going going and he loves it! I KNOW I know how to work hard, it's just difficult to balance being social, doing homework for general education classes, cooking healthy meals, keeping my apartment up, doing actual homework for art and taking time to do MORE art. It needs to be a priority though. I realized on my trip that I need to focus and spend my time more wisely.
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| Sketch at the National Gallery |
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| Picasso sketch at the Tate |
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| Perspective and York Minster |
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| Van Gogh master copy |
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| White Cliffs of Dover oil painting |
The most important thing I learned on my trip though has become more important to me in the past couple of weeks than anything else I learned. I learned that I need to take care of myself first. I don't mean be selfish and raise myself above those around me, but I need to make sure I'm doing well before I can really do anything else well. I have the tendency to blend what I want with what other people want for me. But I realized what I want and where I want to be in the long run and that needs to dictate how I spend my time and who I spend my time with. I don't want to get in depth because this is only a blog, but I just wanted to wave my selfish flag and tell all you other people to do the same and everything will work out just fine. Do what you love and love doing it well!
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| Fell in love with Paris |
Love,
Lexi
