Non verbis, sed rebus

This is the start of the second semester of my MFA-IA program. I am trying to find out how to express ideas with image not word. With materials, not pictures. What is the minimal amount of information needed to say what needs to be said? More importantly what needs to be said? Last semester ended OK. I made enough work to have a small show which opened at the start of this semester. It's been up for a week and I've sold two pieces so far! That's encouraging but also scary. Mostly scary because I'm moving on from that body of work. At least I think I am. The problem is I haven't made much work at all so far this semester. Slow start. I have too much everyday noise going on plus anxiety about what to do next. I feel a bit fuzzy, like my mind is filled with static.

Luckily I outlined a plan while I was still in residency. I hope to look at several artists who use symbols and signs in their work. I think part of my interest in symbols grows out of my job as a teaching artist. I use symbols for students who can't read and because they have more immediacy for students. I've been interested in and studying African American art history for a long time. The use of symbols is a part of this heritage that continues to intrigue me.  This semester I am also working on a collaborative art project with two classmates, both print makers who use symbols in their work. We took apart a book and we're each working on sections that we will mail off to each other throughout the semester.