Week 6, Progress & Reading Response

Inspiration Images:

The pictures below, represent the colors, as well as the whimsical, but mystical feeling, which I wanted my piece to portray.

Progress:

My main trials in creating this piece, were the choice of color palette, and the cutting of the tree's intricate design. I am very content with the final color choices that I made, although they differ from my original plan.

Reading Response:

Skip Schukmann, One-On-One, Pages: 34-43

As I was reading about Skip's process, I couldn't help be reminded of a model, Native American Camp, that I hand crafted when I was 12; I created a tepee, a horse pen, a fire pit, a wooden platform, a structure to stretch animals skins and little tools for various uses. Everything I created, with the exception of a few pieces of scrap fabric, were materials I found in nature; rocks, twigs, thin, smooth and long sticks, and strong grass roots for weaving things together. While I was reflecting on this memory, I felt I could understand what Skip must feel, when he does his creations; the Native American camp that I made, was specific to my interests in their culture and left me feeling proud and closer to the natural ways, in which the Native Americans, crafted such beautiful and useful things.

I also can relate to Skip's pull towards the offerings of the natural world; whether it is the colors, or content I use in my paintings, or the great love I have for fantasy, films scenes, that illustrate an unimaginably majestic forest, I find wonderful beauty in nature's elements. Skip's process seems to nudge his audience towards such natural gifts and reveal a greater cosmetic treatment than destruction and expensive renovations.

I feel that the artist's choice of relationship, with his clients, further characterizes him as a down-to-earth individual; to fully understand and pursue the unique person of each client, not only benefits the soul of each piece, but also shares a perspective that is caring and contemplative of diversity and individuality.

Week 5, Progress & Reading Response

Inspiration Images:

Image 1 & 2: These are both prints that I did in Itaglio Printmaking; the sharp curves, of the spirals I designed, greatly influenced the tree for my mosaic.

Image 2: The mute, but rich colors in the image, are strongly relative to the dark, but intriguing feel I want my colors to portray.

Image 3: The Disney Villains are dark in their narrative and character, however they are very colorful and refrain from being dark, in way that is morbid or unappealing.For me, this direction is similar to Tim Burton, Alice In Wonderland and certain aspects of my own style.

Image 4: Tim Burton's work and the style of, Sleep Hollow, in particular, influence the eerie, but whimsical feeling of this particular area of my style and my current piece.

 

Progress:

Image 1: My initial sketch.

Image 2: My sketch copied onto the wood.

Reading Response:

Arnolda Morales, Imposing Corporal Punishment, Pages: 94-101


I think that Morales's work reflects intentions, much like many other forms of art; an artist wants to communicate something and then receive the audience's reaction. For the artist, the reaction may, or may not be important, but to Morales, it certainty seems to be a key desire.  Morales's intentions to inspire fear and surprise, appear as a great experiment; I find it interesting how he tests the limits of human curiosity and the ability to over come fear itself. With such an experiment, Morales has a chance to see the results of something, usually only observed in real life situations.

For me, Morales's experiments present a surprising illustration of humanity's reaction to violence and harmful situations. While in the general society, it is expected that one should fear and maintain distance from dangerous scenarios; however, when Arnoldo's audience is presented with a chance to experience legitimate risk, while at the same time, being partially protected, it becomes of moment, of inciting discovery. It's like when you learn that you can run your finger through a lighter, without being burnt, as long as you are quick, or brush your skin with water beforehand. Anarldo's situations, reveal a general desire to discover uncharted territory of one's self.

I found myself in agreement, with Morale's statement of art's inmeasurability; art is not something calculated, it is an open door with no directions or specifics. In literature, you are free to a certain degree; you can imagine endless worlds and possibilities, but there is still a basic structure for writing. Going even further, in mathematics, everything is calculated and learned. However, in the realm of art, the structure is irrelevant. To be a great artist, I believe it is key to learn the basics and to be knowledgeable of what has been done before; however, the core of the work an artist creates, that is their own, is something that came from inside them, not from text books, or classes, although inspiration assuredly plays it's part.

Week 4, Progress & Reading Response

Inspiration Images:

Progress:

I painted each piece with acrylic and arranged the pieces onto a black, wooden board with wood glue.

Reading Response:

Reverend Ethan Acres, Spoofing Biblical Messages to Inspire Christian Faith, Pages: 244-253

I think that Acre's approach to art and his faith are well directed; he seems to work to appeal and relate to the common, everyday sort of person. Instead of making his faith, or his work about faith, something that is mysterious and unattainable, he presents it in a way that is tangible and familiar. I believe that whether in art, or faith, the observer should be able to relate to the message you're sharing, they should feel welcomed and embraced. Not to say that the message should be sugar coated and always pleasant, or easy, because that is false, but that faith, or art, should be presented as it is, open to all and direct.

I find Acres to be a very down to earth individual; he admits that he struggles financially, as well as in other ways with his art; however, he is loyal to what he believes he is meant to do and be, no matter what the sacrifices. It seems that the fact his art is directed by his faith, tremendously influences his strength to face his daily struggles and continue on, as an artist and as a person. I believe that every individual has their own great trials and to be able to get up and keep going, shows considerable endurance, strength and character.

I also found it interesting, that in his interview, Acres admits that he was the child "who did not play well with others" and that he does not believe he would do well, in a working, communicatuve environment; as his entire profession revolves around interacting with his audience, it becomes difficult to believe. Acres also conveys a deep love of people, which furthers the surprise of his confession. I think that by revealing this small piece of his past and present, shows his imperfections as a human being; while he works to share his art with an audience and to embrace them, his story reveals a possible struggle to do just that. This restates his message of human flaw and how one does not need to be perfect to enter into God's presence, or an art gallery.

Week 3, Progress & Reading Response

Inspiration Images:

First four images: These are images I found online, which are very close to what I am going for in my mosaic; I again, unfortunately do not know the artists.

Second to last Image: This is a display I came across in Downtown Disney; it inspired me to do a mosaic myself.

Final Image: This character, Elsa, is who I wanted to portray in my piece; she is from Disney's latest movie, Frozen.

Progress:

Here I have the initial sketch for my design and below, the pieces of the mosaic, cut from wood. After the pieces are painted, I will attach them to a black, wooden board, separated, in order to show the black spaces in between.

Reading Response:

Jan Harrison, Soul Genus Fusion, Pages: 126-133

While I only admire Harrison's ideas, on the simple level of fantasy, rather than in a ritualistic manner, I find that her fusion of the human body with the animal, is very revealing of not only her own admiration for the animal body and character, but reflective of the desires of many others, to take on the traits of animals. Whether used in literature, metaphor or film; character's are commonly linked with the abilities of the animal, whether it is the attachment of wings, or the speed of a cheetah. I think that there is something quite appealing in the being of animals; they are mysterious and intelligent and each are equipped with special skills, which allow them to perform certain tasks. I also feel that Harrison's mention of the animal as non-egotistic, or self serving, beyond practical means, is well expressed; there can certainty be observed, something extraordinary about the innocence of the animal existence.

I also feel a close tie of Harrison's sentiments, to those of Native American legend; many films and books portray the belief of Native American tribes, of being reborn as an animal after their death. Ceremonial dances and costumes also relate back to a variety of animal species; performers clothe themselves and paint their faces, to reflect the personalities of the species they are portraying. This painting of oneself into another being, is much like what Harrison does in her own paintings.