Reflections on My Visual Arts Journey at Hunter St TAFE: Challenges, Discoveries, and Growth

Starting my diploma of visual arts at Hunter St TAFE NSW, I expected to deepen my skills and explore new creative paths. What I didn’t expect was how much each subject would challenge me and shape my identity as an artist. Over the year, I worked with drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and installation. Each area pushed me in different ways, revealing strengths I didn’t know I had and helping me overcome doubts. This post shares my experiences as an art student studying at TAFE, highlighting the challenges I faced, the discoveries I made, and how my creative process evolved.

Creating in the studio during my diploma at Hunter St TAFE

Drawing: From Realism Struggles to Abstract Exploration

When I began the drawing subject, I thought it would be my weakest area. The early focus on form and realism felt tough. I struggled to capture accurate proportions and shading, which made me doubt my skills. But as the course progressed, I found myself drawn to abstraction. My teacher encouraged me to experiment beyond strict realism, and I started breaking down forms into shapes and patterns.

One breakthrough came when my teacher suggested I approach composition like Jennifer Bartlett's Air: 24 Hours, by breaking the day-to-day down into distorted objects, shapes and patterns. This advice helped me overcome my fear of sketching and gave me a style that felt authentic. I created a series of drawings using white oil pastels and Japanese watercolour exploring this abstract approach, which became some of my favourite works. This experience taught me that challenges in the creative process can lead to unexpected growth and new directions.

Painting: Facing Blocks and Finding Patience

Painting was the most challenging subject for me. I entered the course thinking I was mostly a painter, but I quickly hit a wall. The biggest hurdle was starting a painting. I often got stuck in the concept stage, overthinking ideas and doubting my choices. Sketching out ideas felt like a real worry, and I found myself self-critical and hesitant.

The turning point came when I learned to break down complex ideas into simple shapes and colours, similar to what I did in drawing, inspired by the Cubism movement. This helped me move past the blank canvas and start painting without fear of imperfection. Although painting remained difficult, I learned patience and persistence. The process of working through blocks became part of my creative process, teaching me to trust the journey rather than rush the result.

A close-up of a Russian icon painting adorned with beads and rose gold leaf, showcasing its intricate details and vibrant colors.

Printmaking: Discovering Joy in Technical Experimentation

Printmaking was a completely new experience for me. I had never tried it before, and I was fascinated by the technical process. The way each print could turn out differently, whether by accident or intentional changes, made the subject exciting and unpredictable.

I enjoyed experimenting with different techniques and materials, learning how pressure, ink, materials and paper interacted. Some prints surprised me with unexpected textures and effects. One of my prints was selected for exhibition at Newcastle Art Space, which was a proud moment. Printmaking taught me to embrace chance and imperfection as part of the creative process, expanding my understanding of how artworks can evolve.

Sculpture, Mixed Media, and Installation: Finding My True Voice

The subjects that surprised me the most were sculpture, mixed media, and installation. I discovered that representing ideas in three-dimensional form really connected with my personality and artistic vision. As I researched for my art critique and culture subject, I realised that installations and 3D artworks were the ones I enjoyed the most.

Many memorable gallery visits featured works by artists like Yayoi Kusama, Olafur Eliasson, Nick Cave, Ai Weiwei, Liza Lou, and James Turrell. Their installations spoke to me deeply, inspiring my own practice. My final artwork, which I wrote about in my previous article on Kelisoscape, brought together everything I had learned. It was a 3D piece that combined elements from all my subjects, cementing my practice as an artist who works across media and dimensions.

Symmetrical linocut relief print featuring an intricate pattern of geometric shapes, floral motifs, and architectural elements, creating a complex, mirrored design.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Studying at TAFE as an art student has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. Each subject challenged me in different ways:

• Drawing taught me to embrace abstraction and find my own style.

• Painting pushed me to overcome creative blocks and develop patience.

• Printmaking opened my eyes to the beauty of experimentation and chance.

• Sculpture, mixed media, and installation helped me find my strongest artistic voice.