Week 10: Reflection

I really enjoyed the course material that Professor Lopez introduced in this class. I think it's amazing that she created a class specifically dedicated to learning about Chicana artists. The short paper artist I really enjoyed learning about was Carmen Lomas Garza. I loved the theme of family, culture, and community she explored in her artwork. She also inspired me to want to paint more; I love her use of color. I also enjoyed hearing Ofelia Esparza speak to the class about her work and her journey as an artist. Esparza is an inspirational person because she never stopped working and being there for her community in East LA. She has worked alongside Self-Help Graphics and has her own studios in Boyle Heights. The altar works that both Garza and Ofelia created inspired me to pay homage to my family and ancestors and that even though my parents now look down at these traditions, I can make the effort to learn and practice them on my own. I also enjoyed learning about Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, the artist I had to present and write about. And I loved seeing students' presentations on their artists as well. 

 I appreciated the art demos that Professor Lopez did in the beginning of class to show us how to approach certain drawing projects in our sketchbook. Although I have had experience with studio art classes in high school, drawing was something I stopped actively doing. I was a bit nervous for the sketchbook requirement because I felt like my skills weren’t the best but Professor Lopez reassured us that as long as we put effort and attention to our drawings, they didn’t need to be ‘perfect’. This class has motivated me to take up art again after learning of all these different and successful Chicana artists; It was also an honor to be taught by one as well. This post included some of my drawings from my sketchbook. I still find drawing hands hard and intimidating but it was good that I had this assignment to push me to do it. The stencil project was also a challenge but I liked the end result.