END OF THE YEAR THOUGHTS

Through this year, in Art Principles, I have changed the way I plan, create, and look at art. My greatest accomplishment this year was discovering and realizing how I create art best and my tendencies (in making art). I have really recognized that I am a perfectionist and that I like to work in small detail. This was evident in both my projects and in the low ful completion of many of the projects. One project that really exemplifies this is my collage. I spent many hours focusing on the waves and even putting extremely small details on the people and on the waves; thus not fully completing the entire project, but having one part of it (what I think of as) amazing and spectacular. Although I did not incorporate this observation into my projects until near the end of the year, it really helped when I started to, because I could make sure that I made smaller projects and was able to be scrupulous, while being able to complete them as well (for example my block print).

Although  learning how to make the best of my tendency to become "obsessed" with details and making the art "perfect" to how I wanted it (which rarely happened), this was also my biggest struggle throughout the year. I have only finished a few works of art this year, due to my attention to small details (for example the self portrait, the collage, and many of the drawing from observations). This kept me behind and made me have to spend extra time on many of the projects. It also kept me back from looking at the bigger picture of the projects and sometimes made me frustrated.

The area that I progressed the most in this year was in was improving on basic skills. I really improved on perspective, figures, and the way that I am able to actualize my ideas. Sometimes, with perspective, I would, without knowing it, draw something and the perspective would be just right, and other times I got tremendous help from Ms. Roberts. In addition, I improved on my knowledge of using shading and color to show perspective and distinct features. Figure-wise, I was able to make the people look like actual people, and I learned how to use scale and how to make distinct features on faces. Lastly, I really improved in the way I start an art project. Before this year, I would start a project and have not plan at all, and usually have to make many changes because of no technical planning. This year, I really progressed. I would make plans, sketches, etc. before starting a project, and all of the techniques I acquired this year really helped me convert my ideas into art the way I imagine.

Thank you so much for a great year Ms. Roberts!

Block Print

After  many, many layers of printing, the wave block print was complete. Eight layers of paint make up this print. I feel that this print was a success because I managed to make it look (relatively/kind of) like the picture (first image). I am very please with the hard work ,time and commitment that I put into making this print come out. Although at times I wanted to stop (because of having to do so many layers and its complexity), I was extremely happy that I did not quit. It was a successful project for me.

Clay Sculpture

The most successful aspect of my sculpture was the process in which I created it and having it stand up (and actually finishing it!:-)). I was also very happy with my ability to adapt during this project. Throughout the project, I had to make many changes to the sculpture. I had to take it apart and make the torso hollow, the arm kept falling off (before being fired), and the base got hard and broke (before being fired). It took a while to fix these, but in the end, it came out even better than I expected! All I can say is: Pierre Edouard Planche, you better watch out for this champ!

Family Portrait

Although my Family portrait was never finished (it was going to be painted and the circle is supposed to be the Earth (with continents)), I feel as it I really built upon my concept of how to make "simple" figure" look like an actual person! My thought behind this portrait was that I wanted to have my family (My Dad, My Mom, My Brother, and Me) emphasized in the front, to show that this is my real family. Then sprouting from above my parents would be their parents, and others in their "lineage" that have passed away since I was born and that I knew well. Then, I wanted to show my close friends and family friends, who are like family to me and special in my life; implying that these people were like family to me and I consider them as family. Then I wanted in the background, the Earth and people holding hands, because I wanted to make the point and express that we are all one big family. In creating this I wanted to go from "close" family to a broader sense of family. I was very happy one how I was able to put perspective, emphasis, and I was able to show the distinct features/actions of the people I was putting in the portait (except the big face!).

Reflecting on my Work

Self Portrait:

Using cool, water blue and red, hot fiery orange, I wanted this painting to be the paradox of two of my personalities, which balance each other out. I can be very mellow sometimes, and go with the flow, but other times my fire and passion can become dominant inside. For example, on the tennis court, I may look calm and relaxed, but on the inside I can be full of fire, passion, and energy. Some of the challenges that I experienced while making this painting was how to use the color to show perspective, rather than using the drawing. I finally was able to recognize that the shades and emphasises of color was the key, which led to some "success." Another challenge was making the colors "blend"/"fade" when I was trying to make things stand out and/or show depth (for example under the eye). Oppositely, I think that I was successful in creating/mixing the colors that I wanted to get for this portrait. In addition, I really like how the "fiery"-side of the portrait "fades"/transitions from a more yellow orange to a more red-orange, touching on the spectrum of the continuum of red and yellow (going from yellow to red on the color wheel). Overall, I was extremely happy with what I got for the right-side of the portrait, and I definitely want to come back and finish up the right and finish the left-side of this painting. If I were to do this portrait another time, I would, without second thought, get the drawing portion of the assignment over with as quickly as possible (not pay so much attention to it), so I could focus on having a finished portrait, and I could put more effort into the painting (main part) of the project.

Hiawatha

Hiawatha

Augustus Saint-Guadens (American)

1874

Agustus Saint-Guadens is a sculptor who has sculpted many great works of art, manyof  which are displayed in famous locations such as: Madison Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and The Boston Commons.He also is the designer of the twenty-dollar "double eagle" gold coin/piece (considered the most beautiful America coin ever issued, as well as designing the Ten Dollar "Indian Head" gold eagle (coin).  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Saint-Gaudens)

This Sculpture, Hiawatha was inspired from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Poem: The Song of Hiawatha, and depicts a Chippewa chief, pondering while sitting on a rock, leaning up against a tree, with his bow and quivers nearby. (http://www.metmuseum.org /toah/hd/astg/ho_2001.641.htm). 

Saint-Gaudens uses Marble to create this spectacular sculpture. He uses many textures, but the most prominent are visible on Hiawatha's hair and feathers, the rock and plants beneath him, and the tree that he is leaning on.

To distinguish Hiawatha's hair from his face, Saint-Guadens makes a hair texture by "scraping." This similar technique is also visible on the feathers in his hair and the fletching (feathers) on his arrows. 

For the rock underneath Hiawatha, it looks like Saint-Guadens used a small chipping tool, or a pointed tool to make small indents in the marble, to give it a "rocky" (looks like coral) appearance.

For the tree, Saint Guadens not only makes the tree look like a tree, but because of his technique, he is able to illustrate the exact type of tree. The Birch Tree that Hiawatha is leaning on, is textured so well that the view is able to depict the loose bark and "ringy" texture of the Birch tree.

It is evident that Augustus Saint-Guadens is an incredible sculptor and uses textures extremely well to make his carvings "animated" and have the impression of reality.

Note: Awesome Zoom Feature  (Click for link)

Step on Board

"Step On Board"

Fern Cunningham (American)

1999

Fern Cunningham is an Art teacher at the Park School in Brookline, Ma, and also is a sculptor.  Focusing on African-American history in her sculptures, "Step on Board" is an inspirational sculpture of Harriet Tubman marching forward, "gaze set firmly forward toward the goal of freedom for herself and the group of slaves who follow her." (www.salemstate.edu). It symbolizes the power of the goal of freedom and leadership. This is shown through the placement and hand positioning of Tubman and her foot "in front of"/"leading" the sculpture (leadership), and the sense of unity of characters in the back (all have the goal of freedom). In addition, the facial expressions and "body language" of the characters portrays perseverance, hardship, and also leadership, all of which the slaves and Tubman had to "endure." The artist does an amazing job of illustrating the story of Harriet Tubman and the slaves and makes the viewer inspired to be a leader like Harriet Tubman.