Some of you might know me as a writer or photographer. I am an artist, first and foremost. And while I haven’t created a masterpiece in awhile, I draw inspiration from art and carry it over to my photography and penned works.
In college, I majored in Commercial Art. One group of classes I especially enjoyed was Design. So much so, I couldn’t wait to take this elective prior to the rest of my general subjects.
I whizzed through all three Design classes, and gathered valuable information along the way.
In Design I, I learned the basics – use of geometric shapes in a defined area, working with black and white, and more. In Design II, I learned about creating logos, pixilated images, how balance and harmony play into design, and creating in 2d and 3d.
In Design III, with Monica Mason as professor and mentor, my fellow students and I went wild. In this class, we learned to appreciate the abstract, the surreal, the sublime, while learning about color.
Even today, I reminisce about the fun and freedom I experienced in Monica’s class.
I remember her words of wisdom, “Design is what you want it to be.”
For the final, one student painted an acrylic on a huge life-size canvas; another classmate’s creation was smaller than his hand.
I began to appreciate and love the abstract. During this time, I grew fond of architectural style. (This will become evident in an article due out in Missouri Life, February 2013).
Recently, I tried my hand at design on a smaller scale with the help of my friend Dennis Guinn, a general contractor.
There was a small alcove on the wall to my basement. An empty canvas of drywall, framed on three sides and a shelf on the bottom, it sat lifeless and neglected for more than four years.
I thought about filling it with mirrored tiles, but that was too ‘disco’. I imagined it covered with stone, but that was too dense and cold.
That little alcove needed something magical. A combination of ceramic, glass and stone tile seemed to be the right marriage.
I sketched my vision on paper, and with the help of Dennis (who did a grand job of placing, gluing and grouting tiles) came up with the masterpiece below.
My masterpiece
And even though it took four years to finish this project, maybe that’s the way it was suppose to be.
So what’s stopping you from creating a masterpiece?
Life is waiting. Make it what you want it to be.
(First published – December 2012)
Sheree's Warm Fuzzies 