THESIS STATEMENT

Colors of the Dark

Working with a medium such as dark charcoal required me to build confidence, which seemed fitting for a project about my ever-changing mental health. To follow the theme of my mental health, I added paint to the picture to signify some bits of happiness in the dark. These works have provided me a safe space to express my feelings onto paper. My goal is to help others find happiness in their rough patches. My therapist taught me that there will always be bumps in the road, and to learn from each bump. In this process I have learned a more positive way of thinking about times I previously saw as sad. With that perspective being put into my art it can be interpreted in new ways by each viewer. Charcoal is an intense medium so I added light patches to keep the eye flowing. I’m curious to know what others take from my art.

At the beginning of this process, I was overwhelmed by each path I could take with my idea. I sat down and looked through art made by artists who focused on charcoal. While in that process, I learned about water charcoal. Mixing water with charcoal was something I had never thought of before. I immediately started practicing with mixing paint and wet charcoal to get an idea of how it works. After that I started brainstorming how I would put copious amounts of thoughts onto paper. Nothing came to me for a while and I just started painting with charcoal. Each day new ideas would flow onto the paper and I eventually came up with my piece. When that idea ran dry I moved onto a more complicated piece: a portrait of how I view myself compared to the real me. Sketching this final piece felt like I was combining my knowledge onto one canvas.

I want people to walk away from my art with new ideas about feeling hurt. I expect questions, but I also see some just standing and thinking. Mental health is a subject that needs to be talked about in a positive light. I am not the best talker, but I do enjoy art. Art is a happy place for me, and I enjoy coming in to work on it each day. I have noticed my outlook on my past year has changed; while others may not have this reaction I hope they think about it. With the large amounts of darkness in this piece it leaves the eye to fill in what it thinks should be there. This is the imaginative part of my piece which I think will be unique to each person. Some may even leave it dark.

Sophia Diehl

Sophie Diehl is a senior at Allendale Columbia School. Sophie began taking an interest in art at a very young age, and has worked in a variety of mediums. Quite interested in experimenting and pushing her limits artistically, she often strives to try something new.

Sophie has participated in many Evening of the Arts events at Allendale Columbia School, as well as Allendale Columbia’s Empty Bowls event to raise money for charity. Many of her works have been featured in exhibitions, including two pieces honored with awards in RIT’s “Start Here” shows. Sophie has also received two Silver Key Scholastic Art Awards. She hopes to continue her work in art in the coming years, and will be attending Ithaca College this fall to study Theatre Production and Design.