Durga Norris Determined to Improve

I plan on attending a college dedicated to the visual arts, ideally FIT or Purchase. Since I am graduating a year early, I must build my college art portfolio and application. I also want to be more formally trained, as I am self-taught. The Art Students League seemed like the perfect opportunity to work on my portfolio and improve. I realize very few people can make a living off of art, so I’m very determined to do my best and make commission art and maybe do interior design to pay the bills as an adult.

My biggest art inspiration is Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu because her art style is inspiring and makes me want to pursue art and improve. Mutu’s use of color and subject and as well as the beautifully morbid details in her work are the main reasons she’s my current favorite artist. I sketch using the Loomis method and I use hatching with vibrant colors to create most of my work.

I like using subjects with very distinct shadows and hues because it makes it easier for me to see the undertones and use them as the primary colors. I would really like to improve my technique and anatomy, as well as drawing non-human subjects. I would also like to get more comfortable using paint, I haven’t had many opportunities using the medium.