Final Thoughts

1. What were you expectations for this course and were they met?

I didn’t really have expectations for this course, other than to do better than I had during my previous attempt at it. ;-) I definitely met that goal, but I also learned a lot about myself.

2. Now that you've been through this course, what is art? How would you define it now compared to your initial posting?

I still believe that art is the expression of human existence, but it is also so much more. It will give you what you put into it.

3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so?

Wharton Esherick is more than a favorite artist to me; he is a role model and inspiration. Since my first posting I have had the opportunity to visit his house in Pennsylvania and see his work first hand. It was such a great experience and one of those awe-inspiring moments in my life.

 4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different?

I like the convenience of taking an online course, but they are A LOT more work than in classroom courses. This course was very time consuming, which is why I neglected it the first go around. I’m glad I worked it out though and would recommend the course to other students, especially those with little to no art background. 

Self-Portraits

Here are the three self-portraits that I found inspirational along with a photo of the artists who created them:

1. Tamara de Lempicka

Self-Portrait in Green Bugatti

Oil on Canvas

1925

2. Kasey McMahon

Connected//Self-Portrait

Steel, CAT5, other data cables

2010

3. Bruce Nauman

Self-Portrait as a Fountain

Color photograph

1966-1967

Here is my self portrait photograph:

 My final self-portrait in colored pencil:

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I selected these inspiration pieces, because I thought they really showed the versatility in doing something like this. It’s really all about you the artist and how you want to portray yourself. These are all very different self-portraits that I personally feel a connection with.

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I selected colored pencil, because I wanted to create a very layered effect, as well as keep it light feeling.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

The challenged I faced were what color palette to choose and also at what angle I wanted to portray myself. I decided on a cool color palette and showing myself at an odd angle.

4. How does this piece represent you?

This piece represents me, because it shows only a part of me and it carries an air of mystery and elusiveness. The layered colors symbolize me as a person to show that I am very layered, yet still simple in a way and colorful.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I definitely aimed to create a sense of visual texture and focused on the linear components of the face. I really tried to use color and to manipulate the medium to create this.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

Yes, but it would’ve been better to explore more possibilities if we were to be given this project earlier in the course.

7. What do you think of your final artwork?

I thought it was ok. I would have liked to do an acrylic painting, but I really didn’t have time to do studies on it. I think having had a strong photograph that I really liked and felt comfortable working with really helped the creation of my final piece. 

Exhibition Critique

1. Which projects did you review?

I reviewed the exhibition, “Water All Around,” by Richard Cruz.

2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?

I selected this exhibition, because I thought the theme was very original and interesting. There is a lot that can be said about the use of aquatic imagery in art works.

3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?

I think it’s hard to critique someone else’s hard work, especially when you know that creating this project required lots of time and effort. I just tried to be honest and respectful, although he did a great job so it was easy to comment on the positive aspects of the exhibition.

4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?

I think it is very healthy to critique and be critiques by your peers. It is a very essential part of being an artist and creating art works. Creating art works and showing them to the world is a risk. It leaves you feeling very vulnerable to show a part of yourself to others. You have to be open to what other people are going to say in response.

5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?

Of course. Honesty is the best policy. I’d like to know whether I was successful in getting my points and views across, or whether the same pieces and topics that affect me also touch other people.

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?

I would rate my article an 8, because I tried to keep it simple and to the point. I very easily could have dissected the pieces and selection of artworks more in depth, as well as the theme, but I didn’t feel as though it was necessary. He did a great job and I thought his point came across very well.

7. Did you enjoy working on this project?

Surely. It’s so interesting to see the kind of art works that other people (strangers, basically) are attracted to and why they are attracted to them. Art is so subjective and each person can take away something completely different from a particular piece. It’s always so interesting to see and hear about those different experiences and perspectives.

Project #4: Art Curation

For this project I really tried to think of a theme that meant something to me. I have been working with recycled materials and concepts for a few years now and I thought that would be an excellent theme to apply to this project and to create an exhibition out of recycled artworks.

There is a growing awareness of the very serious environmental issues that exist today and I truly believe the change can start with artists and designers. As a designer, I can use eco-friendly or recycled materials in my designs and make a difference. We can change the way things are made. With that being said, there are many very talented artists out there who are also creating beautiful works of art out of recycled materials. My goal for this project was to find recycled pieces that didn't necessarily look like "trash." I think its important to create that effect so people can see that there is nothing taboo about recycling or using things over and over again.

I started by finding around 15 artists and selected pieces from each to curate this exhibition. I then looked at the similarities and differences amongst the pieces that I selected and decided to group them together in pairs for comparing. My exhibition would have to be on the larger scale since all of the pieces are either sculptural or installations. I wrote my theme description out and exhibition explanation and then showed my comparison artworks in the following slides. I used an earthtone theme with lots of shades of green to represent my recycled/earthy theme.

I really liked this project, because after gathering all of the artworks for my exhibition and after studying the different pieces, I felt very inspired to see what other people are doing out there in the world with recycled materials.