TARA WARDEN

Artist Statement

Art has always been seemed to escape me. Drawing has always been something I’ve done, from old drawings I made when I was seven that my parents still hold onto, to doodling on my seventh grade science worksheets. However, any time someone asked me what I wanted to do with my future, I never knew how to answer. I’d ponder whether or not I wanted to be a teacher like all the other elementary school kids were saying, or a veterinarian. A teacher who works part time as a veterinarian. Middle school rolled around, and I was just as lost in regards to my future. But I continued to take art classes. It wasn’t something I thought about, just something I did. Something I enjoyed. My 7th grade english teacher made me more passionate about writing, so I explored that, and thought maybe I could become an author, sell books worldwide, and be rich rich rich. But I definitely was not committed enough. High school started up, and I took one art class Freshman year, and then, Sophomore year, I completely forgot to put art on my schedule. That was when it started becoming clear to me; I missed art. I needed something creative as a break from academic in my schedule. I was outraged with myself for forgetting. Junior year, I took two art classes in a row. Art every day. It just felt right. I took graphic design second semester, and although the projects we did were less creative in my eyes, I took time in between those projects to do artistic things that I wanted to do. I’ve started following Youtubers who do art and commission work for other people, which helped me to realize that that is what I want to do. The stigma on artists and the amount of money they are able to make is something that always dissuaded me from following this career path. But this year, I’ve already been commissioned to design a tattoo. After finishing that, a friend of mine asked me to design a tattoo for them as well.

This year in art, I plan to do a series of self portraits because I myself am influential in my own art career, and getting to know myself better will help me to eventually look past myself and focus on things around me. Pulling ideas from yourself is one of the easiest and most lucrative places you can get ideas, and no one else will have the same experiences and therefore art pieces. For example, in my previous art classes, we made abstract paintings, and while other people made paintings reflecting emotions and feelings and whatnot, my immediate thought was to create an abstract piece on myself and my relationship with God. I did the same two years later. I’m in portfolio this year because I want to be able to pursue what I’m interested in and curious about. This class, I’m hoping, will push me to be able to direct myself and follow through on projects I’ve put off. Perhaps these experiences have given me hope to make clear what escaped me about art in my younger years.