end of year reflection 2025

This year in our course I felt challenged and found myself committing to many hours working on projects that sometimes felt impossible, but also sometimes felt rewarding and fun. Throughout our course this year, I worked with many different materials that I would not usually work with, or I didn’t have that access to. 

This year, I learned how to use oil paint, which quickly became one of my favorite mediums. The process of mixing and applying oil paint was both enjoyable and eye-opening. I also discovered how each ingredient—like linseed oil, pigment, and solvent—affects the paint’s texture, drying time, and finish. One of the most valuable techniques I learned was indirect painting, which was completely new to me. It challenged the way I typically approached painting, since I was used to working directly with acrylics. With indirect painting, I had to be more patient and intentional, layering paint slowly to build depth and realism. It taught me to slow down and trust the process. I also learned how to use various different mediums that I had never worked with before, like woodcarving, charcoal, and casting. The abstract expressionism unit was also extremely new to me, I also feared working abstractly, but I ended up really enjoying the process of being able to work freely with the paint.

Using the new skills I learned throughout the year, I’ve seen the greatest growth in my willingness to explore new materials and step outside of my comfort zone. All the different mediums we used challenged me in a different way and helped me expand my understanding of what art can be. One of the biggest turning points was the abstract expressionism unit. At first, I was hesitant and even a little fearful about working abstractly because I was used to creating more structured, representational work. But as I got deeper into the process, I discovered how freeing it was to let go of control and allow emotion and movement to guide the paint. It helped me grow more confident in trusting my instincts and embracing experimentation.

One area I feel I need to improve on is time management. Throughout the year, I often found myself rushing toward the end of a project because I didn’t allocate enough time during earlier stages like planning, experimenting, or building layers. This sometimes led to unfinished or less refined work than I had hoped for. I’ve learned that giving myself realistic timelines and sticking to consistent work habits—even just making small progress each day—can make a big difference. For the future, I want to set clear goals and deadlines for each stage of my projects so I can stay on track and produce work I’m proud of without the last-minute stress.

Next year, I want to apply what I’ve learned to be more independent and intentional in my art-making. Whether it’s a self-directed portfolio or a personal project, I plan to continue developing strong themes, using symbolism, and making purposeful artistic choices. The process of research, reflection, and revision will be especially important as I move forward. I’ll also continue to challenge myself by exploring new techniques and mediums, knowing that every experiment—successful or not—adds to my growth. This year has taught me how to think like an artist, not just create like one.