(1st Place – Painting)
Title of Art Piece: Letting Go
Category: Painting
Student/Artist’s Name: Emily Thompson
School: Eagle River High School
Grade: 10th
Artist Statement: The girl is whipping her hair back and forth, projecting the paint in every direction. I chose to depict this woman overcoming an obstacle in her life by ridding herself of the bad and moving away from it, by using various watercolor techniques I believe I portrayed the concept exactly how I wanted to. I enjoyed painting this watercolor picture because I was able to “let go” which is something I’m not used to doing. Normally my paintings are very precise and accurate, but this painting was by far one of the most liberating experiences I have ever had with a paintbrush in hand. It took me a long time to develop this concept, but when that light bulb appeared over my head I knew it was the perfect thing to paint, and I finished it in one sitting! I was able to express myself with this painting, and I enjoyed trying something that was typically out of my comfort zone. I wanted her hair to be Indigo because it symbolizes a mystical borderland of wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual realization. Indigo is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness, and it really demonstrated the way I feel when I am making art.