four years

The Greenbelt-Austin, TX

And just like that, four years have passed.

This Saturday, I will graduate with my B.A. in Art Education. 

I started this blog as a freshman, not knowing exactly how amazing the next four years of my life would be. Not knowing how much I would learn, do, go. 

I learned an invaluable amount about the world, the mind, art, myself.

 I went to nine countries.

 I made some friends & lost some, too.

 I am wrapping up my experience at UCA feeling incredibly fulfilled in a myriad of different areas of my life. I was part of, in my opinion, the best program at UCA. Our art department is brimming with talented & inspiring professors (& students alike.)  Being part of such a tight knit community wasn't something i expected, but something that changed my experience in the most positive way. I'll miss so much the Thursday art openings, late nights in the darkroom, the talks after events over pitchers of blue moon with Mark, the constant source of inspiration.

This is such a bittersweet time in life. 

But now, I'm officially an art educator. & i am so incredibly thankful that i chose to take this route. I spent the last four months with the best mentor teacher & 450 kids, age five to ten. I taught them about art & hopefully instilled in them an appreciation for one of the most important things in our lives as humans.  None of them know that they also taught me something-they helped teach me how to teach art to kids. They taught me to think like my seven year old self again & always live life in a carefree manner. My last week at the school was heart-warming...I don't think I have ever received so many hugs! I left with flowers, a sack full of cards & letters...and also a few tears. 

Although this is bittersweet, when I break it all down, the sweetest takes precedence. Closing a "chapter" in life always has it's sad moments, but I have so much to look forward to in this next one. A career, more time to pursue creative ideas & spend time with people I love, and eventually a move to a new & invigorating place.

I can't wait.