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ekammerud ♀️ [17544791] [2011-05-08 01:09:29 +0000 UTC] "Emilyne J. Kammerud" (United States)

# Statistics

Favourites: 89; Deviations: 96; Watchers: 6

Watching: 23; Pageviews: 3215; Comments Made: 140; Friends: 23

# Interests

Favorite visual artist: Leonardo Da Vinci, M.C. Escher
Favorite bands / musical artists: The Misfits, Matisyahu, Royksopp
Favorite games: Legend of Zelda
Other Interests: Animals, Art, Writing, Reading

# About me

I am a first year art student with an interest in writing.

Before becoming an art student, I had been a Nursing/Biochemistry major for the past two years. Although the human body interests me excessively and understanding the nature in which things work, scientifically and spiritually, fascinates me to no extent, I found that I was in the healthcare field for the wrong reasons. I felt little passion unless I worked directly with patients (caring for them and talking with them) and the only place I found this satisfaction in was the nursing home I worked at when I was 17. It gave me great pleasure to improve the lives of those who were dying or simply left to die. It was saddening, but a worthwhile challenge. Upon working in a family practice clinic when I was 18, the mechanical and impersonal practices left me feeling empty. However, at this point, I had made my decision to become a nurse, and in my eyes, there was no turning back!

School slowly continued to fuel my doubt as I realized how difficult it was for me to learn concepts, unless they were very visual. I felt no passion, no reason to continue, it was disheartening. Sometimes, in frustration, I would walk to the campus art center and gaze longingly at student art, remembering that feeling of passion I had for nursing had once existed for art. Besides, I had grown to learn that Art was a hobby, a secondary interest that I could do when I was bored. But, if I currently had no time for art, how would I have time when I was out of school, when I had a job; had a family?

Well, after failing three classes, (advanced chemistry, genetics, and statistics) I finally realized what I should be doing. Although I was horridly disappointed in myself, this event marked the end of the world for nursing and the beginning of a new world in art.

It was a shaky start, I was worried my abilities were not what they used to be. I also worried that I would leave college with no job and no future, having to most likely attend a tech school to receive a degree in the health field to ensure a job. It was an endless circle of returning back to a stale job that I would not enjoy. However! I happened upon a program sponsored by my school. Art for Life. It was an Art Therapy program that worked with the elderly to create and understand art. It was said to be beneficial, because it allowed the individuals to express themselves and find individuality although they were essentially placed in death's waiting room (a nursing home). Yes! I had thought! Things are coming full circle and unfolding to what they should be!

I greatly enjoyed the program, and plan on applying to grad school to become an art therapist, an occupation that would combine the aspects that drew me to nursing as well as my love of expression and art.

Until this first semester I had little to no interest in photography, in fact, I find it a bit overrated, mainly in the aspect that digital cameras do almost all the work for you. However, I had never done black and white film photography before and after taking the course, I am very interested in it. I feel the the level of intimacy while taking the shots (figuring the shutter speeds and f-stops), the tedious process of developing the film, and creating prints, is what has drawn me to it.

Up until this class, I have mainly done drawing and writing pieces. As time goes on I plan to submit more of my work as it improves!

Favourite genre of music: Punk, Techno, Electronica
Favourite photographer: Duane Michals, Jerry Uselemen
Favourite style of art: Black and White Photography, Drawing, Graphic Novel Art
MP3 player of choice: Ipod