Seeing as how this is my last post, I feel obligated to say my good-byes, give all of my thanks, and wish you all well. I definitely plan on doing that though first I would like to offer one last piece of advice, not only as an artist for an artist, but as a person to another person.
Over the last two years at Marywood I have learned and grown an immense amount. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t trade them for anything. The experiences I had both inside the studio and out are priceless to me and have all taught me valuable lessons. Though Marywood was never the final step in my master plan, it most certainly was a crucial one. And although some may think that I’m moving on to something bigger or better it’s important to keep in mind that it’s all what you make of it.
No matter where you are or what you’re doing it is so important to constantly strive to be the very best. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to be a competitor. I am where I am and am going in this current direction because each day I told myself that I would be the very best and that I would put 110% into everything that I did. I stuck to each and every one of my beliefs and morals and was proud to do it. Never once did I change my creative vision for anyone nor did I stifle myself for the benefit of someone else. As an artist especially, it is crucial to have a voice and to stay true to it. The world, now more than ever, needs fearless, creative minds. People who are willing to go against the grain and cause a bit of a raucous.
Everything around us is constantly changing, and sometimes not for the better. It’s easy to turn on a television, watch some news, and feel that things just aren’t quite right. Sometimes I look back and think about how the world worked in the last and I wonder if we’ve really fallen that far and if it’s too late to have it restored. I firmly believe that art, artists, or anyone with firm convictions, can change and shape the world around us. Being an artist means that I need to have enough ego and self delusion to believe that I can succeed where others have failed. It means that I have to fight the good fight every single day of my life. In all aspects of my life. I believe that as an artist I can bring about change in people and sometimes I feel as though it is my duty. As an artist I feel as though I am meant to lead to greater things.
So I encourage each any every one of you reading this to strive for more, dream your wildest dreams, reach for the stars. Be the a greater fool, fight the good fight, and don’t ever be afraid to be the you that you want to be. Believe that you can succeed where another has failed and don’t ever stop until you have everything you could have ever imagined.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person that has been by my side supporting me though everything that I have been through. I will forever be in debt to my professors, my colleagues, friends, family, and readers for all that has been done to help me through. Thank you for all the laughs, the smiles, the inspiration, the anger, frustration, happiness, and disappointment too. It all has meant more than anyone will probably ever know. It is with a heavy heart that have to say goodbye to every wonderful person that I’ve had the privilege meeting in order to take my next step. It’s been one hell of a ride, and not one I’ll ever be forgetting. Sculpture and the studio at Marywood will always have a special place in my heart, and although I’m leaving I’m sure I’ll always be trying to fit some sculpture into my design practice.
Thank you all once again. I wish the best for all of your future endeavors and hope that some of my advice and ramblings have been put to good use.
