Outcome 3

Communicate thoughtfully and knowledgeably about personal art

While studying at Salish Kootenai College in the fine arts program I have learned how to use a variety of different art techniques I had never tried such as print making and silversmithing and Native American tools and arts like hide tanning, beading, net tying, and fetish carving. While Learning these completely new craft and art techniques I also expanded the skills and mediums I was somewhat familiar with but not formally educated in like painting and drawing.

Throughout this process of learning the arts and art history I was able to contextualize my place in the art world and where I want to go from here as an artist.  The most challenging part of my college experience was maneuvering around the pandemic but every art piece had its own individual challenges.  I am most proud of my squash blossom necklace. Even through the shut downs and virus I was able to learn the necessary skills to complete the project between my home work space and the colleges silver studio.  During this whole time it has taught me to adapt to the challenges of the artistic process while having to deal with whatever difficulties the world has down the pipeline. 

I started working towards an art degree because it gave me access to the silver lab having taken silversmith on a wim and enjoying it.  I had always enjoyed art but hadn’t seen myself as an artist.  Figuring I could learn to be a craftsman while still being artist adjacent I then learned the difficulty of being consistently creative while being in the program but it motivated me.  I now plan on making fine arts as well as jewelry and using the fine arts to help influence my designs when it comes to silversmithing.  After the fine arts program at SKC I now see myself as an artist and not just someone who makes art.