Paying tuition to take art classes

I took Painting I this semester and had a good time. The commitment was rough and on some of my projects I wish I had more time to compose and finish them.  The above piece was for our landscape assignment.  The photo I based it on was one I took while turkey hunting with my dad.  I think I like my painting better. 

The GIF below is the result of my portrait assignment.  It was daunting because it was based on a photo of my Dad when he was my age.  My professor did not like that it was such a straight forward photo.  He said it was too “smiley,” but I was determined to do it.  I decided to blur the puppy to make it a little more dream like and wistful.  The result of doing that is that now it’s sad.  The puppy seems like he is slipping through my dad’s hands.  I like the idea that time is passing and that we all move on. We no longer have that beagle in our lives, but the moment is still documented. 

What is college for if not to take completely useless classes? I got an A in the course so what the hey?

Recently I painted over one of my projects from school because it did not turn out at all like I wanted it to. So I found this lovely photo on pinterest which inspired me to make a whole new pinterest board and a new painting! Here is the link to the original photo, and here is the link to the blog it originated from.