Ava Passehl: My AP Goals and My Inspirational Artist

Ava Passehl 

Cafe Terrace at Night 

Vincent van Gogh 

1888

This oil painting captures me and brings me into this quaint world of a city cafe. I can practically smell the soft September air, feel the soft bumps of the cobblestone, and hear the faint clatter of diners around me. Although the painting is not hyper-realistic, van Gogh perfectly captures the essence and emotion of the scene through his choice of complementary colors and dusky values. His use of scale creates an elongated effect, giving the illusion that the street continues into the shadows. van Gogh's variety of lines create texture, especially within the tree and the cobblestone walk, and the common colors and values ensure the overall harmony of the piece. Cafe Terrace at Night reminds me that great art isn't always about the life-like details; what most people remember about a piece of art is how they felt about it. van Gogh's works are world-renowned and easily recognizable because of their signature Post-Impressionist style. van Gogh's strengths lie in his choice of colors, his use of texture via brushstrokes, and the mood captured in each piece. This piece especially inspires me to paint to convey a feeling, an experience, rather than a perfect image. 

My Goals

1. This year, I want to create and develop my own style of art. I have experimented with some styles, such as realism, cartooning, and collaging, and I want to find a style(s) that I excel in and enjoy the most. I want to experiment and take risks to find what works for me. I am open and excited to try a style similar to van Gogh's seen above. 

2. I want to win a Gold Key for a work of mine from either last year or this year. Last year, I won a Silver Key for Poetry and one for Ceramics, and this year I would like to top that with a Gold Key or two for my pieces, especially an art piece.