Original artwork description:

Before I set off to a new semester in college, I like to look back and appreciate the struggles I went through to get to where I am today. But this is not limited to the start of new semesters. I feel it is very healthy to take a third person perspective at one's life to appreciate how far they have come and the gifts they have. When looking back, I could not over look this one feeling of being left on my own to figure out my studies. Although there are these fake walls and talks that there is always support, some things you cannot get help on. Those are the things that make me feel strung out. Essentially like a bear on a tight rope trying to keep balance. Fall on onside and you will go insane, fall on the other and you will lose everything you have worked for. This metaphor seems to apply itself to everything in life. Life is a constant struggle between focusing too much on one objective and losing your happiness and who you truly are, versus failing at the task by giving up or simply not prioritizing. We are all strung out in one sense or another, it is how we play this balancing game that truly makes us the bear that we are.

This piece was made using a similar style that was used on a previous piece. I focused on one feeling and tried to symbolize it using obscure and comical imagery. Gold flake and copper paint was used and mixed into the oil. Along with three different tones of Hemp String.

Materials used:

Grumbacher Oil Paint, Solvent based Paints, Gold leaf powder, Hemp Twine

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