Abstract drawings

In my drawing class we just switched over to our abstract unit from the previous still life unit. For our first assignment, everyone in the class was given a packet of photocopies. On each page was a shape of some kind. In class on Wednesday we will compare how we each abstracted the same base drawings. I like some of these quite a bit. I'm excited to see what comes out of this unit!

In my photography class we looked at Vik Muniz's work at www.vikmuniz.net and watched a documentary about his work, "The Worst Possible Illusion."
         From my assignment description:
"Conceptual art is concerned with the idea behind, or promoted by the material form of the work. Using art specific materials will not always place your work in the art world. When working conceptually material is just a means to an end. Find materials that are not conventionally used in art. Consider the context of the material you choose to work with. What cultural voice does it already have?"
         So, using materials not traditionally considered art supplies, we had to take three photographs. The material and the subject should come together to bring new meaning to each other. It was hard to grasp this assignment and think of ideas that would actually work (thanks to my friends that brainstormed with me!).

This is supposed to be a healthy person made of healthy foods and an unhealthy person made of junk food. I think it comes off more like an adult and a child, but oh well! I think it gets the point across.

This one is perhaps harder to figure out. Trees provide us with oxygen; they enable us to breathe. Just like trees, Asthma inhalers help certain people breathe. I tried to position the inhalers like they were growing out of the stump. I prefer this photo to the first one and I think the idea is more original. Hopefully my teacher understands what I was trying to portray!

Airplane. Feathers.

First photo assignment!!

I started a five-week long photo/film project class 2 weeks ago. Our first assignment was given last Monday. In class we watched photographer David LaChapelle's documentary "Rize" about the beginnings of krump, other street dancing styles, and youth culture that developed in South Central Los Angeles. I had actually already seen the film a few years ago when my neighbors back home, Kate and Mark, recommended it to me based on my interest in dance. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I find it really interesting and the dancing is incredible. So, we watched the film in class and then explored LaChapelle's work as a photographer at his website: http://www.lachapellestudio.com/. Basically, any bizarre, colorful, shocking photograph of a major celebrity in a magazine was shot by LaChapelle. I recognized many of the photos on his website from covers of Rolling Stone Magazine or spreads in Vogue and various other magazines.

Our assignment: To produce three images keeping in mind "the way in which he uses bright color and directed light to infuse his images with energy and excitement." I had a lot of fun with this assignment not only because it was my first photography assignment but also because I was lucky enough to have great friends that were willing to model for me! Special thanks to Lillie, Nathaniel, Ian, Sasha, and Mia!!

Place, object I own, object I found

That's the assignment! I found this bench on the front balcony of Bowe St. (studio) and drew it there with the sneakers I was wearing that day. My favorite part of this piece is the wood grain. I'm finding I prefer drawing organic, non-linear objects.

Paper Bag

I think this charcoal drawing is a good one to compare to my first drawing of a paper bag (this time also with a ceramic bowl and tin can). I think I have made some improvements since the beginning of the semester.

Embark

This is my most recent Space Research project! A lot of late hours at Bowe St. (the studio) were put into it. Copied and pasted is my artists statement, explaining the project a little further.
                                 

“Embark”

When first given the original assignment, I jumped straight into cutting wood and piecing it together. I didn't have a concrete idea of how I wanted my final product to appear. Somewhere along the line of creating the abstract, seemingly random piece, I began to see resemblances to a boat. I expanded on the navigational theme in the second part of the project by paper macheing the base supporting the boat with the pages of a used atlas. The atlas pages served as my "found object" in the project. Other objects I considered including proved distracting. I think the base of the sculpture is the strongest section of the piece; not only are the ribs of the sphere not physically as sturdy, they are compositionally not as innovative.

I have titled my work "Embark" because of the navigational theme. However, I also relate my personal experience of recently beginning college as the embarkation of my adult life. I plan to explore and travel as widely as I can on my journey. I want to learn about other cultures and commit to lifelong learning.

Since my receiving my critique yesterday, I have removed the ribs of the sphere part of my project and am left with just the atlas-covered base. I want to rework my project, taking the strongest elements and expanding upon them. I have been brainstorming how I could continue the paper macheing process; I am intrigued by art that piles layer on top of layer. Similar to a collage, the layers of paper mache create an interesting texture and in my opinion, give strength to a work.

Dummy

Yet another charcoal still life (I do really enjoy them though)! This time of a dummy woman, two paper airplanes, and a high-heeled shoe. The face and nose of the dummy were the hardest part about this..makes me want to try drawing live models!

For Alisha

For those of you who know Alisha Gard, you know she's the best. For those of you who know her a little more, you know she loves jellyfish! I was just thinking about her and I had some free time so I decided to try out my new oil pastels and Sharpies--and this is what came out of it! I can't decide whether or not it looks like something your preschooler draws in school and you put on the fridge. Either way, it was fun and I love Alisha! So there!

P.S.- Finally, some color on my blog!!

Graphite bow

This was my greatest success so far working with graphite. The big bow was a big challenge for me. I think I worked on this one for about six hours, which I realize isn't a huge amount of time for a piece but it definitely took longer than I anticipated. I have learned my lesson: graphite takes time! Unfortunately the composition of this piece is really lacking. Can I can blame my inability to create a compelling composition in this one on the fact that I was finishing it up around 3:00 AM? Lame, but I'm going with it. I am at least happy with the dimension of the big bow.

Cloth

I just found this drawing I did in class at some point that I forgot to document. It is a couple pieces of cloth with geometric designs draped over some cloth-covered boxes. This is not one of my favorite pieces; I don't think I captured the quality of the cloth accurately. At some point I want to attempt cloth again to see if I can depict it better.