"Lady in Moonlight"

Figure Drawing - Charcoal

This is the only piece that I have scanned from my first year of art school.  I was pretty much a lost soul during my first year at Ringling.  Unlike a majority of my fellow classmates - the young ones, coming fresh and rosy cheeked out of high school - I was doing a 360 in my lifestyle by going back to school.  I also had the disadvantage of basically walking in off the street, since I hadn't really dabbled in any art form in many, many years.  I felt so lost and way behind everyone else.  I still feel like that most of the time, but I'm concentrating on myself now and realizing that I do have potential, its just going to take me a little longer with more focus, concentration and dedication on my part.  One day I will be a great artist in whatever direction I end up taking.

Anyway, my point being is that this is the only piece that I have any strong connection to from my Sophomore year of school.  This piece was actually just a test piece for figure drawing class.  I never even got a grade on it - only a "completed" mark.  The object of the assignment was to place a horizontal figure on a vertical plane.  When I was doing this piece, I had this very strong connection with it.  As strange as it may sound... we bonded.  I no longer had to think about what I was drawing.  The paper, charcoal, kneaded eraser and piece itself told me what to do next.  I could see where every mark should go and where the charcoal should be lifted.  It was quite a "spiritual" experience, if you'd like to call it that.  I've never experienced anything quite like it since.  This piece spoke to me, I listened and I like it - which I cannot say about too many of my other pieces.  It may not be perfect and it's still quite rudimentary but it's one of my favorites because of the connection I made with it.  I hope that in the future I will have many more experiences like I did with this piece.  It was quite a natural rush that makes all my sacrifices and the struggles well worth it.