By: Michelle Andreo
Annabella Holley, a graphic design major at Georgia Southern, showing off her previous artwork. Holley is taking Advanced Painting as an elective this semester.
Holley pointing at her inspiration sketch. After she paints her bows, Holley is going to drape pearls over her work to complete the project.
Holley mixing paints before she begins. She said her pink background took two hours, with a coffee break, to complete.
A reference photo on top of Holley’s easel as she paints her first bow. She must complete four paintings this semester, all within her theme of choice, “Finding Joy in the Little Things.”
Holley cleaning up her artwork. She said she chose to paint bows because, “They bring me joy.”
Holley wearing her signature bow while working on her painting. Her love for bows
began during her time with the Disney College Program, when she started wearing them as a form of self-expression.
Holley laughing as she continues her project. For her next painting, she is considering painting balloons.
Holley’s work station. Pink is her favorite color, which inspired the pallet for her current piece.
Holley finishing the larger bows in her painting. She filled the gaps with smaller bow designs.
Holley laughing as her professor tells a story. She said her Advanced Painting class is her favorite, especially because of her professor.
Holley focusing on the finer details of her piece. Her professor complimented the layered overlap of her bows and encouraged her to continue expanding on that technique throughout her painting.
A peer comment from Holley’s last project. Students in Advanced Painting must give each other feedback as they work on their paintings.
Holley focusing as she adds a few finishing touches for the day. Throughout her class session, her peers and professor visited Holley to check in on her progress.
Holley washing her hands as class comes to an end. Advanced Painting is a two and a half hour course, which gave her plenty of time to work.
Holley’s classmates working independently at their stations. Each student chose a canvas size that best suited their artistic vision and personal preference.
Holley’s canvas filled with bows, creating a playful and layered piece of artwork. Next, she plans to refine the bows with sharper details and drape pears across the piece to add depth.
Holley carefully blending paint colors for Thursday’s class. She mixed green and red to achieve a dark shade of crimson.
Holley preparing her palette with an array of pink shades. These shades will be used during her next work session.
Holley testing her recently mixed shades in her notebook. Her goal is to experiment more with darker shades of paint.
As 4:30 p.m. nears, Holley cleans her brushes, resets her work station, and prepares to go back to her apartment. Advanced Painting is Holley’s last class of the day.
