Preservation Through Painting

Prior to creating my one essential question, these questions came up:

• How does different messaging affect people’s opinions on nature preservation?
  • How does painting affect this message?
    • Make it worse or better?
• What real life elements can help convey my message?
  • Out of place buildings showing contrast between nature
  • Cars and other industrial symbols can convey specific messages
• How can raising awareness for nature preservation have real life affects?
  • Can incorporating a specific message or location increase the effectiveness of my message?

Essential Question: How can I present landscape painting as a form of preservation of nature, and how can I use a collection of paintings to spread a message about climate change, and habitat destruction. 

 

During such a pivotal movement in the history of climate action, I want to conduct a series of paintings to show the beauty of nature, by artificially removing buildings from the landscape in order to show the magnificence of the nature that could’ve been, should the decision have been made to preserve the land. In addition, I would also paint areas at risk of being built on, and show some of the consequences that could have. These paintings will show the viewer that nature is all around them, and that any small step towards preservation is a success. I find that this project is intriguing to me because it involves two things that I have a large interest in, nature preservation, and painting, yet still is a challenge to undertake. All of these elements will help to keep me motivated throughout the process of creating this project, and hopefully add to the quality of the final product. This project is also surprisingly feasible, because of my access to large areas of nature, and rural communities in upstate New York. I think that any step towards preservation and restoration of nature is something that will affect future generations, and their care for nature. 

Creating this series of paintings would not only provide a message to the observer, but this would also be a chance to improve my own artistic skills, which I plan to continue using in the future. This project would allow for me to push myself artistically, and also give me the motivation to do so consistently. On another note not only will I be pushing myself to create work that I am passionate about, but I also will be actively taking part in spreading the message of preservation and protection. With the passion, and activism that I hope to involve myself in, I have major confidence that this project will not only help me improve my own skills, but will also spread a message along the way.

My hope is that the message that is conveyed through the paintings will work to inspire, and change the way that people in New York look at the environment around them. In addition, with the new Presidential administration taking notice of climate change, I believe that my message can help people understand and care about the issues at hand.