ORCAS ISLAND PHOTO JOURNAL
Kailee Parsons
As some of you may have read in previous editorials, this year I am studying abroad in a couple of different places. As my first semester starts to wrap-up with final exams in the coming weeks, I thought I would focus this editorial on ways to keep your artistic side stimulated while in a new place. Something that has become clear to me whilst living in Paris, is that it is very easy to struggle with balancing your different interests while living in a new place.
I found this particularly difficult with my love of art when I moved abroad, finding that a new place made it harder at first to find the time to explore my abilities. Originally, I had hoped to focus on my artistic-side whilst in Paris, with evenings focused on painting and weekends focused on photography. However, as the weeks quickly got away from me throughout the first month of my studies, I realized that I never quite made enough time to build on my artistic abilities. So, since another semester is right ahead of us, I thought an editorial focusing on specific ways to become more involved in the arts, rather than just wandering around new museums, may be obligatory!
If you are struggling to balance your normal interests with the excitements of a new city or place, try to find specific opportunities which encourage you to work on your abilities while exploring the city. What could this be?
1) Pottery classes: Throughout my semester in Paris I walked past dozens of ceramic studios, some of which were fairly reasonably priced.
2) Photography competitions: Your local university or community center is bound to have upcoming competitions or exhibitions, force yourself to get out there and explore your new home through a lens (& submit to PRISMA)!
3) Painting groups: Many cities have Facebook groups which encourage meet-ups to work on art, including painting or sketching tutorials which are more reasonably priced than a class in the city center.
4) Always bring your notebook - take note of potential creative stories or observations, sketch a little something between your classes rather than scrolling through your Instagram feed!
Everyone is told when going abroad that it will be such an inspirational experience. Art and photography majors are told it will be such a developmental opportunity for their work. I definitely believe this is true, so do not miss out on the opportunities you get from a new living environment, to learn more about different techniques and experience various cultures through art. If you are finishing up this semester realizing you are like me and never got to develop your more creative side as much as you originally planned, don’t worry!
It is also okay to need an artistic break, so get back to it in the second semester! Find yourself a creative space where you are encouraged by others to observe and design. Force yourself out of the house in these more gloomy winter months - if you are in Europe for your spring semester - or find a cozy spot near a window to discover the world just outside your door.
Remember that the best art starts with observation of the environment around you. So, chase those winter-blues, or the homesick feelings for those of you abroad, with the magical feeling of creating your personal perspective of your home, even if it is just one temporarily. Not only will it allow you to try new things, but it will also give you new perspectives and techniques for your creative passions.
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 10.