Well we are off to a start. So far three monkey plates have been made out of the PVC. I would like to make a monkey stamp so I might try to work on that. For the people involved I think we are going to need 5 good prints (per person) on nice paper to be cut out to form the chain for the 600 inch wall space on the one wall. I think 5 other print (per person) on paper or other material will work in addition. These other 5 prints (per person) can be used to fill in the chain or maybe used on the small wall which is about 300 inches.
I think 25 prints cut out linked on one wall and 20 either cut out or left on the whole sheet should be right. With five left over.
josh
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Out of simple curiosity..
The password is in fact the same as last semester. Have fun with Drawing, guys!
--Anonymous Bystander
--Anonymous Bystander
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Alchemy of Change
Hello!
If you haven't seen my show in the RSC Gallery (or even if you have), please come to my closing reception this Thursday Aug. 27th from 7-9pm. Come early and there will be mini-cheesecakes and other tasty treats.
All are welcome! Bring everybody!
Kat
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The end-RJ
Wow this semester has really flown by, especially the end, i didnt think it could be so close. I thought about all i have learned throughout this semester not just in this class but in all my classes (with the exception of 3d design, i didnt learn anything from that class). I just finished up my final drawing and i think it looks cool just how i pictures it in my head. See you all tomorrow
Sports Logos-RJ
Being the sports nut that i am i want to talk about how simple sports logos can be but they send a direct message to who that particular team. Example one, UNC logo All that logo really is, is the letter n on top of the letter c but those letters are blended together forming the logo in a powder blue like color known exclusively as Carolina Blue. Another example would be our logo. Even though it looks complex it symbolizes a figure in the form of a wheatshocker. There are thousands of logos out there and just looking at then will tell you right then and there who that team is
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Forgetful - Emily Ritter
On Monday, my friends are opening a hot dog place near East High. Let's Be Frank is what it is called. I suggest everyone go and check it out. I also have some work up there. About five pieces (all from high school, cause that is all I had ready when they asked). This semester has been great. I have learned A LOT and catch myself thinking about what we have been taught on my free time. Mark making, filling up the page, etc etc. I wish we could have had enough time to finish all the projects and what not. So, Thank you.
Riverfestival
Last night I attended the sundown parade as I have lacked enthusiasm about this event. As I was observing the parade I saw the banners and designs for the river fest over the past 20-30 years. It was kind of cool to see how the styles had changed over time. I found it odd that this years theme was groovy.. I think that a theme could have been more centered about what is going on. Also, one of the guys spoke about celebrating the river.. the river that causes rashes and sickness is only prevented if you have recieved multiple shots to travel to a foreign country. I did, however, see Michael after yelling repeatedly to get his attention. I think it is weird that some of the floats used non-biodegradable or non-recycled supplies when everyone is talking about being green. How often does Wichita have something going on? Enjoy it.
Looking back on the semester I think I have learned to let go. I always stopped drawings at a point where I knew I was completely safe but by not taking a risk I am hurting my work. I have also learned that I work much better in an isolated area because I find it hard to focus.. it just seems highly impossible for me to generate art eight hours straight. I pushed other things aside for the summer and made art my priority especially in 3-D. In 2-D I fought with the computers but managed to crank somethin out. 3-D I didn't really mind any of the supplies because if I had not worked with them I wouldn't have any knowledge about them. And drawing... looking at these three large drawings I realize that the fact that they were SO huge I was forced to use my entire body or else I would have been wearing a wrist band for the rest of the summer. I'm excited for the summer.. and although I will admit I am taking a break from drawing.. but I can also do it at a desired pace and subject.. so perhaps it might come out decent. Our last critique is coming up and many of us are coming to an end for foundations courses.. but I think I have a decent portfolio to show for sophomore review. I'm going to miss people including teachers (did I just say that?) but I definitely am looking forward to the time off.
-Adrean
Looking back on the semester I think I have learned to let go. I always stopped drawings at a point where I knew I was completely safe but by not taking a risk I am hurting my work. I have also learned that I work much better in an isolated area because I find it hard to focus.. it just seems highly impossible for me to generate art eight hours straight. I pushed other things aside for the summer and made art my priority especially in 3-D. In 2-D I fought with the computers but managed to crank somethin out. 3-D I didn't really mind any of the supplies because if I had not worked with them I wouldn't have any knowledge about them. And drawing... looking at these three large drawings I realize that the fact that they were SO huge I was forced to use my entire body or else I would have been wearing a wrist band for the rest of the summer. I'm excited for the summer.. and although I will admit I am taking a break from drawing.. but I can also do it at a desired pace and subject.. so perhaps it might come out decent. Our last critique is coming up and many of us are coming to an end for foundations courses.. but I think I have a decent portfolio to show for sophomore review. I'm going to miss people including teachers (did I just say that?) but I definitely am looking forward to the time off.
-Adrean
The End: Looking Back
With the final week of this semester approaching, I find myself looking back on my first year in art school. Having only taken one or two art classes in high school, I didn't know what to expect going into this program. I have always enjoyed making art on my own, but I have never devoted this much time and effort into art. It's been fun, confusing, frustrating, and enjoyable. Looking back at the first drawing I did in the fall compared to the last drawing I'm working on for this semester is astounding. To actually see the progress I've made is rewarding. I know I still have a lot of areas to improve on, but to never have taken a drawing class before, I think I've done a great job.
Looking back, if there was one thing I would have done differently, I would have loved to spend more time on my art. I would love to be able to spend hours working on something I could be proud of, but with various things happening outside of school (family, jobs, personal reasons) it always seems hard to make that happen. Even with the lack of sleep I've received this whole year, I wouldn't change it for anything else. I don't see myself being an accountant, a lawyer, an engineer, or doctor. There is a reason why I chose to go to art school. Despite all the frustration I've felt, I would much rather be up late at night working on a piece of art than trying to memorize math equations or all the bones in the body.
In just one year I've produced more designs, drawings, and 3D works than I have ever done in the past. I've learned the importance of mark making, color theory and other various things that I had never thought of in the past. Even though drawing, in general, has been difficult for me, I plan to take what I have learned in these past two semester and use it to my benefit. Over the summer, I plan on drawing.....a lot. I don't want the things I've learned to go to waste. I realized after coming back from the winter break that "if you don't use it, you lose it."
With all that being said, I've really enjoyed what I have experienced in art school. Not just the lessons I've learned, but also the friendships I have made. After taking some of the Gen Ed classes, the art program is completely different. You become much closer to the people in these art classes than you would in an English or Math class. I've enjoyed my time in the program so far, and I can't wait to see what else there is to look forward to in the future.
-Daniel
Looking back, if there was one thing I would have done differently, I would have loved to spend more time on my art. I would love to be able to spend hours working on something I could be proud of, but with various things happening outside of school (family, jobs, personal reasons) it always seems hard to make that happen. Even with the lack of sleep I've received this whole year, I wouldn't change it for anything else. I don't see myself being an accountant, a lawyer, an engineer, or doctor. There is a reason why I chose to go to art school. Despite all the frustration I've felt, I would much rather be up late at night working on a piece of art than trying to memorize math equations or all the bones in the body.
In just one year I've produced more designs, drawings, and 3D works than I have ever done in the past. I've learned the importance of mark making, color theory and other various things that I had never thought of in the past. Even though drawing, in general, has been difficult for me, I plan to take what I have learned in these past two semester and use it to my benefit. Over the summer, I plan on drawing.....a lot. I don't want the things I've learned to go to waste. I realized after coming back from the winter break that "if you don't use it, you lose it."
With all that being said, I've really enjoyed what I have experienced in art school. Not just the lessons I've learned, but also the friendships I have made. After taking some of the Gen Ed classes, the art program is completely different. You become much closer to the people in these art classes than you would in an English or Math class. I've enjoyed my time in the program so far, and I can't wait to see what else there is to look forward to in the future.
-Daniel
Friday, May 8, 2009
How far we've come. . .
I love what everybody wrote about this week. Margaret, thanks for sharing your dream (as well as all your other thoughtful insights)- I think you were reliving your recent Design II computer experiences. Anxiety is funny that way. I really liked Laura's thoughtful insights this week as well. One thing art has taught me is that it's ok to fail sometimes because when something works out, it is more the sweeter and we always learn from the experience. When we started out in Drawing this semester, I never thought I'd ever get the hang of conte crayons or pastels; and now, I find using pencils tedious and not as gratifying as I used to. I notice that all of our work from class now has taken on a depth and richer dimension than those first 10 drawings we brought to our second class this semester. I am glad to be almost done with the fundamentals, but I have really enjoyed everyone in class this semester. It is a pleasure to be around so many talented and interesting people who so willingly share their opinions, supplies and time with each other. Thank you all for helping me become a better artist. Have a great summer and hope everyone makes stuff they like and have fun with in their time off form school! ann
Last Blog of the Semester
I was reading Michael's blog and it made me think of when I took a ceramics class in high school. I got to throw clay on the wheel and it was very exciting and the simple fact that you took something from being a lump and create a pot out of it was very exciting. However, I was never very good at it and never got the hang of it. Still my excitment would always be there and I still liked going to the class even though I never produced anything of substance. I think that that is interesting, how you can fail at something but still enjoy doing what you are failing at.
I'm a big camera person and while my own camera is digital, I wish it wasn't. Digital cameras to me are good for like everday pictures, pictures of family and friends that you don't really consider art. Film cameras are more for art making, in my opinion. Because with film cameras you have to be more hands on. You have to develop the film yourself and whatever effects you want to make happen, you have to basically create them yourself. Plus with a film camera you never know quite what you are getting because you don't get to see the picture until after you develop the reel. Working with a film camera is very exciting but I have nothing against artist who create their work with a digital camera.
This semester in drawing class, I feel like I've learned alot. I feel like I've pushed myself more and have thusly grown as an artist. However, all good things must come to and end. Have a great summer you guys!! Laura
I'm a big camera person and while my own camera is digital, I wish it wasn't. Digital cameras to me are good for like everday pictures, pictures of family and friends that you don't really consider art. Film cameras are more for art making, in my opinion. Because with film cameras you have to be more hands on. You have to develop the film yourself and whatever effects you want to make happen, you have to basically create them yourself. Plus with a film camera you never know quite what you are getting because you don't get to see the picture until after you develop the reel. Working with a film camera is very exciting but I have nothing against artist who create their work with a digital camera.
This semester in drawing class, I feel like I've learned alot. I feel like I've pushed myself more and have thusly grown as an artist. However, all good things must come to and end. Have a great summer you guys!! Laura
Last blog
For me this doesn't feel like the last blog because well I haven't been blogging. I feel bad but when you are going to school 12 hours a day, moving into an apartment and planning a wedding all around the same month, it kinda gets chaotic but enough of that. I'm glad I have all summer to relax and maybe make some art who knows but I can say I have learned something this semester; I have never worked with plaster, and i got to this semester and I think I will never work with it again, I hate sculpey( I think I can say that for everyone!) and I enjoyed making art because that's just what I do and Its who I am. And I cant wait for next semester to start. Okay maybe I can. lol Hope to see you all again soon!
~ Lyndsey~ Happily married( FINALLY!!!)
~ Lyndsey~ Happily married( FINALLY!!!)
Ceramics - Michael Davenport
As it comes to the end of the semester I realized one of my favorite classes has been my ceramics class. I have taken and instructed ceramics painting classes before in summer programs, but I have never actually thrown on a wheel. It is a a task that taught me alot of hand control. Knowing how to move and manipulate the clay instead of it moving you is the first part of it. Becoming better at it I really enjoyed playing with form trying to get height and trimming the foot of pieces. Then glazing your fired work and never knowing what it will end up doing I think is the most intriguing part of the process. Getting really excited to go in the day after and see how it turned out. Usually happy but then sometimes having huge disasters... like broken vessels, but like Nathan always says, "Its just the nature of the beast."
I will most likely take another ceramics class in the future focused more on hand building or to move up in the throwing class take intro again. I would recommend this class to anyone and everyone!
Late Blog, Wanderings With A Camera
As you can see from my dream blog, I feel (as you do) the pressure of having little time to finish much work. So this entry is about creative relaxation. When I wake up in the mornings I immediately look out the window at my back yard to see what looks different/interesting. Often I'm inspired to immediately go out with camera in hand to capture the beauty of light, shade, reflection,shape and color. It is a way for me to save the "air" as it is now for later use. I sometimes go on short walks and drives, for the purpose of collecting found objects and images, that provide a way to relax while using the time productively. I have always been a collector and so have many collections of everything from junk and ephemera to rocks and minerals, miniature objects, and themes. These stashes inspire my creativity, my dreams and my self awareness.
Though the task was time consuming, I enjoyed making the 50 stencils. What a great collectible. They are a pleasure to use. I expect to use some more of the images I capture with my camera to, among other things, produce more stencils to use in artistic endeavors. I believe the combinations of shapes could be endless. Repetition and overlapping are just a start. What might occur while intuitively choosing and assembling these interesting shapes?
For me the process of producing art is as important as the finished pieces. Maybe more so. It is my way of being. I am so thankful for the encouragement to grow and the reminders of and introductions to various ways to keep constantly in production that were offered by my teacher and classmates in drawing this semester. Thankyou for sharing yourselves so generously. I'm inspired to question and explore the WHAT ELSE IS POSSIBLE.
Finally, I suggest that you take a look at some of the artwork of the late great CG Jung. There is a biographical documentary entitled A Matter of Heart. You can see some of his stone carving and other images in it. The book, Man and His Symbols (full color hard bound, not the inferior paperback) is also very worthwhile. A famous psychiatrist, this man was quite talented on many levels and driven to create.
Keep up your journals, Margaret
Though the task was time consuming, I enjoyed making the 50 stencils. What a great collectible. They are a pleasure to use. I expect to use some more of the images I capture with my camera to, among other things, produce more stencils to use in artistic endeavors. I believe the combinations of shapes could be endless. Repetition and overlapping are just a start. What might occur while intuitively choosing and assembling these interesting shapes?
For me the process of producing art is as important as the finished pieces. Maybe more so. It is my way of being. I am so thankful for the encouragement to grow and the reminders of and introductions to various ways to keep constantly in production that were offered by my teacher and classmates in drawing this semester. Thankyou for sharing yourselves so generously. I'm inspired to question and explore the WHAT ELSE IS POSSIBLE.
Finally, I suggest that you take a look at some of the artwork of the late great CG Jung. There is a biographical documentary entitled A Matter of Heart. You can see some of his stone carving and other images in it. The book, Man and His Symbols (full color hard bound, not the inferior paperback) is also very worthwhile. A famous psychiatrist, this man was quite talented on many levels and driven to create.
Keep up your journals, Margaret
Anxiety Dream In Time for Final Week
Good morning! I want to share this dream with you because it is classic.
Dream Title: DESIGNING MONEY
Dream: In a computer lab I am working to redesign a $5 bill so that it will become convincing fake foreign currency. This currency is needed to dupe a criminal into believing that his ransom is being paid. It is important for the release of hostages I think. I work feverishly on the computer to place new images over existing ones. I use magnification mode to tweak images carefully into place. Just as I am about to place the final element, I take a breath and release the mouse. Everything disappears! Erased! I stare incredulously at a blank white page on the computer screen. Oh no! How can this happen? Immediately I search stored files hoping to find saved images. Among random images I find and play part of a movie. Realizing it is THE MOVIE ( about the situation I'm working on), I watch for a while hoping to see the image I need to replace. But no. I stop the movie after a few scenes because it is taking too long. I go in search of another $5. A man in a parking lot offers me a $50. No. I need a bill with Lincoln's face. Another man gives me a $5. I take it back to the drawing table in the workroom and begin a redesign. What was it I used earlier? A triangle? A new oval? Image of a camel? Eagles? I remember that placing the image of an eagle was the last thing I was doing just before I lost the whole thing. I take the $5 to the scanner and begin anew. I copy the image of an eagle in profile to work with. My mind wanders to what color(s) to use on the fake money. Not green. I am losing my focus, time, and maybe my mind. -eod-
So I wake up and record all this in my journal. Now here I am telling it to you. I have an apt quote to share with it.
"The creative person is concerned to tap the powers of the subconscious mind, and in doing so, may become aware of forces that are normally inaccessable to consciousness."
- Colin Wilson, author of THE OCCULT (NY: Random House, 1971) page 31.
Good luck with finishing up the semester. - Margaret
Dream Title: DESIGNING MONEY
Dream: In a computer lab I am working to redesign a $5 bill so that it will become convincing fake foreign currency. This currency is needed to dupe a criminal into believing that his ransom is being paid. It is important for the release of hostages I think. I work feverishly on the computer to place new images over existing ones. I use magnification mode to tweak images carefully into place. Just as I am about to place the final element, I take a breath and release the mouse. Everything disappears! Erased! I stare incredulously at a blank white page on the computer screen. Oh no! How can this happen? Immediately I search stored files hoping to find saved images. Among random images I find and play part of a movie. Realizing it is THE MOVIE ( about the situation I'm working on), I watch for a while hoping to see the image I need to replace. But no. I stop the movie after a few scenes because it is taking too long. I go in search of another $5. A man in a parking lot offers me a $50. No. I need a bill with Lincoln's face. Another man gives me a $5. I take it back to the drawing table in the workroom and begin a redesign. What was it I used earlier? A triangle? A new oval? Image of a camel? Eagles? I remember that placing the image of an eagle was the last thing I was doing just before I lost the whole thing. I take the $5 to the scanner and begin anew. I copy the image of an eagle in profile to work with. My mind wanders to what color(s) to use on the fake money. Not green. I am losing my focus, time, and maybe my mind. -eod-
So I wake up and record all this in my journal. Now here I am telling it to you. I have an apt quote to share with it.
"The creative person is concerned to tap the powers of the subconscious mind, and in doing so, may become aware of forces that are normally inaccessable to consciousness."
- Colin Wilson, author of THE OCCULT (NY: Random House, 1971) page 31.
Good luck with finishing up the semester. - Margaret
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Steadman
I was talking to my friend and he had mentioned an artist by the name of Ralph Steadman. He apparently has done a lot of illustrations for novels and I wanted to see what my friends obsession was. http://www.ralphsteadman.com/01books.asp I recognized some of these covers such as Animal Farm. I think people often disregard works of art that are so common such as a book cover, fabric design, table top, billboards.. I also take comfort in the fact that he has been able to make a career out of his passion.
His art seemed to be very smudged and dark. It isn't my style of choice but it does evoke emotion. His ability to layer also impressed me http://www.ralphsteadman.com/images/00art/silks/sarajevo2.jpg. He seems to have no fear of messing up and has strong movement.
"I am an artist and have no right buggering about with verbs and split infinitives, which is what being a writer says to me. "-Steadman.. I find this interesting considering that from what I found he almost uses writers as a partner..
-Adrean
His art seemed to be very smudged and dark. It isn't my style of choice but it does evoke emotion. His ability to layer also impressed me http://www.ralphsteadman.com/images/00art/silks/sarajevo2.jpg. He seems to have no fear of messing up and has strong movement.
"I am an artist and have no right buggering about with verbs and split infinitives, which is what being a writer says to me. "-Steadman.. I find this interesting considering that from what I found he almost uses writers as a partner..
-Adrean
Kiki
I found an artist by the name of Kiki Smith. I had learned of Art 21 through my 3-D class and decided that would be a good place to look up some artist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLW4Nubs0c I also recognized the name from a presentation in class done by another student, I believe Emily.. Smith does seem a bit demented but I think I found that kind of fascinating. Her work includes death which I think a lot of people fear even though it is something none of us can avoid. I also thought this would be a good artist considering that my gift drawing is of death but it is not of death being portrayed as evil or life sucking. More info on the artist: http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/smith/index.html
I leave you with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs&feature=related
I have always found it interesting and calming.
-Adrean
I leave you with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs&feature=related
I have always found it interesting and calming.
-Adrean
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Styles I love - Emily Ritter
Some of the styles of the things listed below I absolutely love.
Ugly Dolls:
http://www.rocketworld.org/ugly_dolls.htm
Lately I have been into ancient/tribal art as well.
There is a photo I can't find of these traditional facial tattoos, or rather scars.
They were on this girl's face. They looked to elegant and, well, beautiful.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Late Night Entry
I must say, as the semester comes to a close, I'm realizing how much work still need to do. After being really sick this past week, I feel even farther behind. I'm trying to find time for everything and it's becoming very overwhelming. As much as I enjoy school, I'm ready for a break. I haven't gone to bed before 3:00 am in at least 3 weeks. This is the last stretch of the semester and I'm starting to feel the burden of everything. I'm just hoping my work won't suffer due to the stress. We can only wait and see.......
-Daniel
-Daniel
Blog Blog Blog
My worst enemy in drawing has always been portraits but for some reason I decided to do three of them for this last assingment. I have always chosen to push myself and put things in my drawings that I have the hardest times of drawing, like people or symetrical bottles. I think it's part of my drive to become better and finaly draw something that I hadn't been able to draw before. I think every artist has that drive. Every artist wants to get better and better at what they do. I think that to get better in art you have to challenge yourself and go back to the basics every once in awhile, even if the basics are boring. I've come along way from where I was in high school and I still have a ways to go, but as of right now I am excited about the journey.
Laura
Laura
I still love art but. . .
This is one of those weekends where all I have done and will do will be art homework of some sort. I know everyone else is in the same boat. Anyway, while doing some review for my art history final on Monday, I was looking at a minimal/conceptual piece called Terms most useful in describing creative works of art, 1960, by John Baldessari. Basically, this work is a canvas with words printed in 3 columns across the plane. Words like "Direction, Force, Interest, Beautify, etc." are used. I comment on this because we will be critiquing our drawings on Monday and it will be interesting to see if any of use any of these terms. I was also thinking how this work might include new terms from the Culture Wars to current art practices now. They could include ephemeral, outrageous, humorous, in your face, and multi-faceted. The use of text is used quite a lot by current artits like Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer and our very own M. Davenport. It is interesting to see an earlier artist using text where the inspiration was the gird system the letters made and how the viewer had to take a second look to think about the work. Good luck to everyone with the homework this weekend. ann
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Final Friday - Emily Ritter
Sorry for the late post. I have been battling with our internet since Thursday night. I completely lost.
Final Friday was pretty interesting. I wasn't impressed with a majority of the galleries. Honestly, I am sick of seeing high school "art." Yet again, I really wasn't impressed with Shift Space. I did like what city arts had up. It took me awhile to figure out how the photos looked the way they did. They were super sharp and looked unreal. I liked the contrast of the blurred images against the sharp ones. At the Tangent Lab, my favorite piece was I think Janice Hobbs "Nude Male." I think that is what it was called. It just reminded me of Henri Matisse's blue nude painting, which I LOVE!!
That is all.
AHH!
I guess most people wouldn't consider a color expert or a cosmetologists an artist but I have a new respect for them. Over the weekend I decided to go a shade darker.. or that's what I had in mind. I bought a home coloring kit that was suppose to have a mild darkening affect according to the color chart.. I dye my hair and I'm shocked. I am now a reddish brunette. It takes skill (or at least skill in my eyes) to be able to dye hair and actually get the desired color. A friend of mine also had a discoloration accident this weekend. She decided to use a self tanning lotion. This friend is extremely pale and mized with the henna/bronze color.. I suppose her skin had such a tint that it turned orange or at least it was more obvious. This gave me an idea to look up artistic hair styles and body art.
Craig Tracy is an interesting body painter. I did like his work but to me some artist get to caught up in commercializing their work and you can't figure out how to just LOOK at their WORK http://www.paintedalive.com/ This is one of my favorites: http://www.paintedalive.com/HTML-WWW/speed-g.html
I also learned about a local artist by the name of Dennis McPhail who by reputation is known as one of the best regionally. http://www.worldtattooauthority.com/metadot/index.pl?iid=2858&isa=Category Sadly I couldn't find any images of his work unless I searched Google for " Dennis McPhail art" but I do think it is a good idea that he combines his love for art and cars. It kind of shows that something you are passionate about can become a career.
Craig Tracy is an interesting body painter. I did like his work but to me some artist get to caught up in commercializing their work and you can't figure out how to just LOOK at their WORK http://www.paintedalive.com/ This is one of my favorites: http://www.paintedalive.com/HTML-WWW/speed-g.html
I also learned about a local artist by the name of Dennis McPhail who by reputation is known as one of the best regionally. http://www.worldtattooauthority.com/metadot/index.pl?iid=2858&isa=Category Sadly I couldn't find any images of his work unless I searched Google for " Dennis McPhail art" but I do think it is a good idea that he combines his love for art and cars. It kind of shows that something you are passionate about can become a career.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Final Friday Crawl
Well, I got a late start last night. I did make the scene at Blank Page, Shift Space and City Arts.
Frankly, I felt the best art I viewed was at Blank Page where Maize HS senior art students had a large exhibit. This art excited me and made me change my facial expression several times. The ceramics blew me away. My favorite piece was one entitled "My Space". It is a ceramic sculpture portraying a two story environment with a ceramics studio on first floor and bedroom on second floor. These rooms are set in a corner arrangement of adjoining walls with the front and top open like doll's house. Monochormatic earthtone coloring with textural elements and shading. This exhibit was much more interesting to me than that at Shift Space for several reasons. First, the space was filled with work, and second there was lots of diversity of materials. There were several nicely rendered drawings and lots of color. Shift Space was virtually empty in comparrison and its white walls and stands where the works were displayed overwhelmed them. Repainting the walls to divide the space and set off the individual pieces might have helped. There was an exhibit of very large photographs with a Kansas theme at City Arts. The architectural ones were slightly interesting because of unusual angle of view. Manipulation of color and some layering would have rendered them ART for me. As it was these were just plain old pix only big. The ones with animals had more to say to me because of the subject matter only. Again, just big pix. I spent about ten minutes looking at them.
And that's all I have to say about that. Margaret
Frankly, I felt the best art I viewed was at Blank Page where Maize HS senior art students had a large exhibit. This art excited me and made me change my facial expression several times. The ceramics blew me away. My favorite piece was one entitled "My Space". It is a ceramic sculpture portraying a two story environment with a ceramics studio on first floor and bedroom on second floor. These rooms are set in a corner arrangement of adjoining walls with the front and top open like doll's house. Monochormatic earthtone coloring with textural elements and shading. This exhibit was much more interesting to me than that at Shift Space for several reasons. First, the space was filled with work, and second there was lots of diversity of materials. There were several nicely rendered drawings and lots of color. Shift Space was virtually empty in comparrison and its white walls and stands where the works were displayed overwhelmed them. Repainting the walls to divide the space and set off the individual pieces might have helped. There was an exhibit of very large photographs with a Kansas theme at City Arts. The architectural ones were slightly interesting because of unusual angle of view. Manipulation of color and some layering would have rendered them ART for me. As it was these were just plain old pix only big. The ones with animals had more to say to me because of the subject matter only. Again, just big pix. I spent about ten minutes looking at them.
And that's all I have to say about that. Margaret
Ah! I'm late!
Oh well. At least now I'm up. But in defense of myself, I was at Final Friday last night. Out of all the places I went, my personal favorite was the print work done at The Diver. The subtle comedy and commentary in most of the pieces was just delightful to me. However, I also really enjoyed the mix of media and technique. It seemed no one image used just one style. The mix was very interesting and unique. I enjoyed it very much... even though it was about 100 degrees in that loft.
-Aerica
-Aerica
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sick
Well, I was planning on going to Final Friday tonight, but I've been feeling under the weather for the past few days. So instead, I'll share something I found on NOTCOT awhile back. Most people probably don't know this, but one of my biggest passions/hobbies is smoking hookah. For those of you who don't know, it is a waterpipe used to smoke flavored tobacco. I've helped manage two of the largest hookah communities online, and I have quite a collection of my own.
Anyway the link is http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/09/narguile_by_ned.php. . Also for more of this collection look at http://www.airdiem.com/en/en.html. After looking at these, I came to the conclusion that these hookahs are based on form rather than function. Having experience in multiple styles of hookahs, I know that these particular hookahs are meant for decoration rather than practical use. I honestly don't even find these designs aesthetically appealing. I prefer the handcrafted Egyptian, Syrian, and Turkish hookahs. I see those as true pieces of art. Not only do they look great, they are also functional.
-Daniel
Anyway the link is http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/09/narguile_by_ned.php. . Also for more of this collection look at http://www.airdiem.com/en/en.html. After looking at these, I came to the conclusion that these hookahs are based on form rather than function. Having experience in multiple styles of hookahs, I know that these particular hookahs are meant for decoration rather than practical use. I honestly don't even find these designs aesthetically appealing. I prefer the handcrafted Egyptian, Syrian, and Turkish hookahs. I see those as true pieces of art. Not only do they look great, they are also functional.
-Daniel
Final Friday
What a great evening to be out and about in Wichita. I guess that is partly why there were so many people attending Final Friday tonight. For me, some of the hightlights included the Maize High School sr. art show at the Blank Page Gallery and the North High school sr. show at the Studio. It was fun to see art by so many WSU students, including our very own Aerica, and I was impressed by how some of the digital images used in Lisa Rundstrom's works looked like very fine embroidery stitches. I thought Ryan Hajo's lithographs were amazing. The details he created in his works are incredible and I really like how he matted and framed his work. I also liked seeing how the image transfer, drawing and print techniques that we've talked about in class all came together in Dane Jone's artwork. Hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy the warm weather. Have a great weekend. ann
Sunday, April 19, 2009
wrong tools for the job scene
Out of all of Patrick Dugeaw's works at the Wichita Art Museum the one that i found most intriguing was the work called "Wrong tools for the job scene." In the background of the piece is layouts that are related to a plumbing situation. If anyone has worked in plumbing you know that it can be a real pain the the butt. What I found hilarious about it was this sledgehammer near the center of the piece. I found it so funny because thats what you would probably use when you were at the brink of frustration and you just want to smash the pipes to pieces. That is what I mainly took from this piece
RJ Carlino
RJ Carlino
The Builder, Removed.
Last Wednesday when our class went to The Wichita Art Museum I feel that his work did not live up to the presentation given over him. In person his pieces lose their puzzle like quality. I can see every detail of his handy work which you would think would be interesting but to me.. appeared sloppy. He also applied WAY to many layers of lacquer or whatever and the glare was far too distracting. Speaking of distractions.. I had noticed that The Art Museum had a piece of heavy material covering a section of the ceiling. This fabric was waving in the wind and made incredibly distracting squealing noises. But anyway..
My favorite piece within the exhibit would have to be Portrait of Mel and Kent. This is one of his more simpler pieces. I could still see vague outlines of these people but they were not overbearing contours like the rest of his pieces. The facial expressions of this couple were so intriguing. Also, the fact that he had cut out the lighting.. almost made me feel as if he was saying there was no light.. perhaps.. a divorce or unhappy marriage? The video that showed his work in progress was more entertaining than anything. I'm glad that some artist have a sense of humor.
Sadly though.. I would have to agree with Emily that the children's section was far more interesting. The Drum Tower by McGuire was amazing. Not only did he get the tuning/tones right.. the timing was almost perfect. Interactive art is much more appealing to me. Aerica trying to get the foam balls to follow her course was pretty funny too.
-Adrean
My favorite piece within the exhibit would have to be Portrait of Mel and Kent. This is one of his more simpler pieces. I could still see vague outlines of these people but they were not overbearing contours like the rest of his pieces. The facial expressions of this couple were so intriguing. Also, the fact that he had cut out the lighting.. almost made me feel as if he was saying there was no light.. perhaps.. a divorce or unhappy marriage? The video that showed his work in progress was more entertaining than anything. I'm glad that some artist have a sense of humor.
Sadly though.. I would have to agree with Emily that the children's section was far more interesting. The Drum Tower by McGuire was amazing. Not only did he get the tuning/tones right.. the timing was almost perfect. Interactive art is much more appealing to me. Aerica trying to get the foam balls to follow her course was pretty funny too.
-Adrean
The Keeper of the Plains
This weekend I found myself needing some time to sit outside and think.. I was driving along the river when I remembered about the keeper of the plains. For those of you who have not visited the Keeper in the last couple of years it is definitely something to see. This sculpture was originally created Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980) and was erected in 1974. The newly renovated Keeper features modern bridges. To me, these bridges don't really seem to relate to the Keeper but do have similarities to Exploration Place's architecture.
http://www.360wichita.com/Attractions/KeeperofthePlains.html
I also saw a lot of people reading, sketching, and writing here. This might be a good spot for someone to meditate and think.. instead of a busy indoor coffee shop.
Wichita has a lot of art that we drive past everyday thinking nothing of it.. Here is a link of some of Wichita's public art.
http://deaneckhoff.com/Sculptures/WichitaSculptures.htm
-Adrean
http://www.360wichita.com/Attractions/KeeperofthePlains.html
I also saw a lot of people reading, sketching, and writing here. This might be a good spot for someone to meditate and think.. instead of a busy indoor coffee shop.
Wichita has a lot of art that we drive past everyday thinking nothing of it.. Here is a link of some of Wichita's public art.
http://deaneckhoff.com/Sculptures/WichitaSculptures.htm
-Adrean
Patrick Duegaw
My favorite piece is the Interior with Marlin, the use of color is amazing, how the artist uses compliementary colors blue and orange. I liked how the artist used a different material and overlapped them to create an interesting work surface. The piece would seem busy and overwheleming but to me that ascpect of the piece is what draws me in. I wanted to step closer to the piece to see all the details. Also I wanted to observe the piece from far away to see the piece as a whole. I found it entertaining at the same time, picking out all the different objects he has drawn and if they have some sort of connection and if there was a meaning. The idea to build up the material to create an image of a marlin is very clever. The marlin does not necessarily relate to the piece but just adds something ironic or silly which creates interest. Also what caught my eye was the hint of white which was added in various places in the piece.
~Lyndsey
~Lyndsey
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Patrick D - Emily Ritter
Considering it is four in the morning and I just got off work (meaning I am tired and sore all over, thoughts aren't complete), I will probably edit this later, but this is what I thought of the exhibit at the museum.
I loved how he created shape and shadows with the sheetrock sections. In the Insufficient Light piece, the lack of sheetrock, and lack of anything really, gave it what the piece lacked. I also really liked how he created multiple images on top of one another. Either with sheetrock sections or with line itself. With multiple lines, though, I felt they gave each piece motion. I think that in the tool pieces it would have been nice to have seen the tools cut out into their own section rather than having multiple layers of paint on them. I think they would have popped more.
After looking at the exhibit, I wandered around for a bit. I LOVE the kids area. It was all kinetic knick knacks and what not. Super fun. I glanced at other exhibits and plan on going back later today (since it is already Saturday) and look around more. I will probably talk about that when I edit this hot mess of tiredness.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Museum Visit
I really enjoyed taking a field trip to the Museum this past Wednesday. It was nice to see a change of scenery. As for the Duegaw exhibit, I really enjoyed it. After seeing the presentation of his work during class, I became very interested. When I finally saw his art in person, I was amazed not only at the talent shown but also the amount of work by one artist in that space. It was nice to see something completely different from what is normally in that museum. My favorite piece by Duegaw was "Kitchen with Fans." While I enjoyed all of his work, this was the only piece that I stopped to stare at for a long time. I thought it was interesting how this piece interacted with the viewer. When I stared at this picture, I felt like I was actually looking into a kitchen through a door way. Even with Duegaw's style I felt "one with the painting." I thought it was also the most interesting in terms of dimension. The piece was very narrow but also very tall, I think this helped add to the realism of the piece. I can see myself going back to the museum one more time to see this exhibit.
-Daniel
-Daniel
Every Mark Counts, the Duegaw exhibit
I enjoyed our field trip to the Wichita Art Museum very much. Patrick Duegaw's work is inspirational.
He uses reclaimed building materials in a very elegant way in his paintings and for framing them. Each piece is well thought out and planned starting with the layout/arrangement of the sheet rock ground. The puzzle pieces and even the screws attaching them to the backing are effective elements of the multi- layered compositions.
It was difficult for me to select a single piece from such a large exhibit. All I can say is that I experienced a personal connection with "The Guardian of Private Spaces". The first thing I noticed was the square frame made of reclaimed crown moulding with the layers of old paint, scratches, scrapes, gouges, and bare wood patches left be. Recycling/using old materials is the best thing ever. The piece itself is charming and whimsical. The composition is divided in two. On the left is an iconic figure painted in a triadic color scheme of red, blue and yellow. This "guardian" is portrayed as someone similar to a jester with plumed hat and boldly striped shirt. He's positioned in an ornate little red balcony or niche and gestures out in greeting to the viewer.
The welcome he extends lends the viewer permission to enter further, into the private space of the artist portrayed on the right side of the composition. The private space is rendered in much darker tones which indicates to me that this is not only the abode/studio of the artist but also a metaphor for his psychological inner space. The accompanying text adds another personal and mysterious touch because it is written in poetic stanzas rather than dry explanitory verbage.
I wonder about the effectively and lovingly rendered reflective surfaces of objects such as the coffee pot. Perhaps these too are metaphorical of the artist's personal reflections regarding his life, or that part of it that defines creature comforts, home and privacy. The occupation with privacy is one close to my own heart. Duegaw is certainly interested in his surroundings...concerned with them in fact.
I feel that his portarayal/portraits of personal space, self, tools and household objects indicates a very narrative body of work in this aptly titled exhibit.
Anyway, every mark made on/with his surfaces counts toward the success of each piece. The screws, the left-over paint from who knows where, the jigsaw puzzle ground, the beautifully rendered realistic objects and spaces, each line and gesture appears to have been planned and considered to enhance the whole piece. - Margaret
He uses reclaimed building materials in a very elegant way in his paintings and for framing them. Each piece is well thought out and planned starting with the layout/arrangement of the sheet rock ground. The puzzle pieces and even the screws attaching them to the backing are effective elements of the multi- layered compositions.
It was difficult for me to select a single piece from such a large exhibit. All I can say is that I experienced a personal connection with "The Guardian of Private Spaces". The first thing I noticed was the square frame made of reclaimed crown moulding with the layers of old paint, scratches, scrapes, gouges, and bare wood patches left be. Recycling/using old materials is the best thing ever. The piece itself is charming and whimsical. The composition is divided in two. On the left is an iconic figure painted in a triadic color scheme of red, blue and yellow. This "guardian" is portrayed as someone similar to a jester with plumed hat and boldly striped shirt. He's positioned in an ornate little red balcony or niche and gestures out in greeting to the viewer.
The welcome he extends lends the viewer permission to enter further, into the private space of the artist portrayed on the right side of the composition. The private space is rendered in much darker tones which indicates to me that this is not only the abode/studio of the artist but also a metaphor for his psychological inner space. The accompanying text adds another personal and mysterious touch because it is written in poetic stanzas rather than dry explanitory verbage.
I wonder about the effectively and lovingly rendered reflective surfaces of objects such as the coffee pot. Perhaps these too are metaphorical of the artist's personal reflections regarding his life, or that part of it that defines creature comforts, home and privacy. The occupation with privacy is one close to my own heart. Duegaw is certainly interested in his surroundings...concerned with them in fact.
I feel that his portarayal/portraits of personal space, self, tools and household objects indicates a very narrative body of work in this aptly titled exhibit.
Anyway, every mark made on/with his surfaces counts toward the success of each piece. The screws, the left-over paint from who knows where, the jigsaw puzzle ground, the beautifully rendered realistic objects and spaces, each line and gesture appears to have been planned and considered to enhance the whole piece. - Margaret
KAWS and painting on silk
Earlier in the month I attended the Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners conference in Lawrence. This event is fairly short so alot is packed into the weekend. Among the workshops offered were weaving with metal, crocheting with wire, Americanized Shibouri tie dye technique and silk painting. I painted a silk scarf in one of two workshops offered by Valerie Bashaw. She is a very good teacher. Her experience includes teaching at a private school in MO and being a member of Best of Missouri Hands. Most of you got to see the scarf I dyed when we went to the Duegaw exhibit Wednesday last. I used my wrench stencil to create the design. Lines were drawn using a gooy resist colored with some of the dye. Then I painted on liquid dyes using a watercolor brush. Texture was created by sprinkling salt onto wet dyed areas of the central body of the scarf and applying rubbing alcolhol to the dyed border while wet and dry. I recommend letting the dye dry before application of the alcohol. A fun and worthwhile learning experience is the bottom line. - margaret
Crit. O. Rama.
... I'm exhausted. It felt like I was speed-dating. Only they wanted to date my artwork. Anywho, Art Event #whatever. Oh, and I also attended the Artist Talk for the featured artists of Crit-O-Rama. Art Event #whatever(2).
But on to the point of this blog: Patrick Duegaw. Two of my favorite pieces of his, I mean the ones I could just stare at all day, were of Interior with Marlin and Swimming Through Interiors. I think the main reason I found both of these so enticing is because out of all of Duegaw's pieces, those two showed the most use of tradition color method. Especially in the Marlin piece, the entire make-up of the painting is this rich blue and this vibrant orange. It just pops and blends and moves so well. I also love how he shaded the underside of the swordfish cutout; it really highlighted the shape. However, I felt the frame that he chose to use on it was out of place. I mean, in relation to how he displayed the other works (paint chipped off, old, rustic, multiple frames slapped together), the trim unpolished singular frame seemed very odd. I wish he would have continued with the idea.
Swimming Through Interiors is just a beautiful piece because of the interaction the figure offers in both her pose and her face. Her expression mimics that secretive smile of the Mona Lisa, only now the secret is revealed in the wooden cutout. Something I enjoy about what Duegaw does in his work is when a figure leaves the cutout, it changes. It changes, color, structure, line weight, whatever. It changes dynamically while still continuing the figure. This really show through in the Swimming piece. Initially, I did not notice the hair and face of the mermaid in the background. I almost like it better with only the tail interweaving with the figure. End with no conclusionary sentence.
-Aerica
But on to the point of this blog: Patrick Duegaw. Two of my favorite pieces of his, I mean the ones I could just stare at all day, were of Interior with Marlin and Swimming Through Interiors. I think the main reason I found both of these so enticing is because out of all of Duegaw's pieces, those two showed the most use of tradition color method. Especially in the Marlin piece, the entire make-up of the painting is this rich blue and this vibrant orange. It just pops and blends and moves so well. I also love how he shaded the underside of the swordfish cutout; it really highlighted the shape. However, I felt the frame that he chose to use on it was out of place. I mean, in relation to how he displayed the other works (paint chipped off, old, rustic, multiple frames slapped together), the trim unpolished singular frame seemed very odd. I wish he would have continued with the idea.
Swimming Through Interiors is just a beautiful piece because of the interaction the figure offers in both her pose and her face. Her expression mimics that secretive smile of the Mona Lisa, only now the secret is revealed in the wooden cutout. Something I enjoy about what Duegaw does in his work is when a figure leaves the cutout, it changes. It changes, color, structure, line weight, whatever. It changes dynamically while still continuing the figure. This really show through in the Swimming piece. Initially, I did not notice the hair and face of the mermaid in the background. I almost like it better with only the tail interweaving with the figure. End with no conclusionary sentence.
-Aerica
The Liar
I really enjoyed the exhibit we looked at on Wednesday. I think that the artists style is very appealing. I do think that the way he outlines things is successful and that it does not detract from the quality of the art. My favorite piece was The Storyteller or (The Liar). I think that the composition was very successful in that it activates the space in a way that draws you throughout it. I really like the artists palette. I think that the greens and reds compliment each other nicely, and that the flesh tones built using subtle traces of the green and red is quite nice. I like the subject matter as well, taking a fairy tale like pinnochio and applying it to some aspect of yourself is very interesting to me. In all I really liked the exhibit.
Jordon May
The Troll, the Builder and Lots of Beer Bottles
Hi- First off, Emily, love the envelopes. What a creative and humorous outlet for your talents. Secondly, Wed's exhibit was worth facing down the Troll at the art museum entrance. Imagine the nerve of art students going to an art museum to look at art!
I loved everything that Duegaw had on the wall- from the drawings, the poems and finished pieces. I could have spent hours longer looking at Fisch Hause Studies. What I love about this work, and didn't notice till looking at it in person, was all the areas of unpainted drywall used in the composition and how they seamlessly blend in with the rest of the colors and images. Also, you can really see the difference in the heights of all the the constructed pieces. Sometimes, they have smooth edges and sometimes they have rough. (Kind of like the real life images he captures so well.) I love the lines from the original drawings, the graffiti , use of text, notes, etc. on the drywall. Not only do many of his works actually depict an artist's loft/studio, but the works give off this vibe all on their own. I think Royce Smith nailed it (no pun intended) when he wrote in the brochure intro that Duegaw's work serves to, ". . . salvage and reassemble the fragments of everydayness and exceptionality."
You really do have to look more than once to absorb all that is going on in these images. Then you are rewarded with with noticing extra lines, shadows, ephemera and humor. I love the cut outs in Two Rooms with Insufficient Light. I also like how the artist drew a gun right on top of an ACE Hardware bag. The accompanying sketches were really interesting and those along with the film of Dewgaw creating his art really gave insight into his creative process. Finally, I have also been thinking about Outside Kent's Studio with the Elevator Light Left On. His frames with textured paint, lines, lines, lines, lines, different woods and under drawings are all things to ponder over- at least for me.
I loved everything that Duegaw had on the wall- from the drawings, the poems and finished pieces. I could have spent hours longer looking at Fisch Hause Studies. What I love about this work, and didn't notice till looking at it in person, was all the areas of unpainted drywall used in the composition and how they seamlessly blend in with the rest of the colors and images. Also, you can really see the difference in the heights of all the the constructed pieces. Sometimes, they have smooth edges and sometimes they have rough. (Kind of like the real life images he captures so well.) I love the lines from the original drawings, the graffiti , use of text, notes, etc. on the drywall. Not only do many of his works actually depict an artist's loft/studio, but the works give off this vibe all on their own. I think Royce Smith nailed it (no pun intended) when he wrote in the brochure intro that Duegaw's work serves to, ". . . salvage and reassemble the fragments of everydayness and exceptionality."
You really do have to look more than once to absorb all that is going on in these images. Then you are rewarded with with noticing extra lines, shadows, ephemera and humor. I love the cut outs in Two Rooms with Insufficient Light. I also like how the artist drew a gun right on top of an ACE Hardware bag. The accompanying sketches were really interesting and those along with the film of Dewgaw creating his art really gave insight into his creative process. Finally, I have also been thinking about Outside Kent's Studio with the Elevator Light Left On. His frames with textured paint, lines, lines, lines, lines, different woods and under drawings are all things to ponder over- at least for me.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Handmade Envelopes - Emily Ritter
Lately I have been on a real kick about mailing people things and getting really creative with it. Recently, I wrote a letter to a friend in San Fran and went all out. I made the letter itself be the envelope by taping up the sides and apparently making it impossible to open. Regular envelopes are just plain boring. I think that mail should make people get excited. So, I googled it and found some pretty interesting ones. 
One I made (didn't draw it, just slapped it together.)
One I made (didn't draw it, just slapped it together.)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
oops
It dawned on me around 10:00 this a.m. while I was in the school library that I forgot to blog this a.m. Oh well. I wanted to say that I really enjoyed everyone's presentations last Mon. in class. They were all really interesting and I love how we are so eclectic in what we like. I guess that is not unusual among creative people. Anyway, I am really looking forward to hearing the rest of the presentations.
I also met with my adviser this morning and I am very excited about taking sculpture next fall. I have wanted to learn to weld and sculpt metal for a while and now I will have the chance. I wonder how many people are taking printmaking? Happy Easter to all who celebrate it and I loved the eggs. ann
I also met with my adviser this morning and I am very excited about taking sculpture next fall. I have wanted to learn to weld and sculpt metal for a while and now I will have the chance. I wonder how many people are taking printmaking? Happy Easter to all who celebrate it and I loved the eggs. ann
Printmaking
For starters I know that some of us have taken printmaking and I would definitely encourage those who haven't to do so. I think we all realized how much fun it is to make prints. I've always liked printmaking but I am very sloppy. When Monika had discussed that one of her teachers told her she would make a poor printer and proved her wrong I felt a lot better.. and that messy work is often sometimes someone's trade mark.
One of my favorite printmakers of all time is Albrecht Durer. He also did drawing and painting which is equally great but having experience with making prints I am amazed at the intricate designs and his extreme detailness. He has incredibly detail and I really love his subjects.
Biographical.. http://www.boglewood.com/cornaro/xdurer.html.. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/durr/hd_durr.htm
This is probably one of my favorite works of his.. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/durr/ho_18.65.8.htm
There are so many things going on in this work that it almost feels like a scavenger hunt. The time period in which he made his works has a huge impact on what he makes.. and I kind of like how he has such graphic works. I think a lot of peopleare afraid to state their opinions through art.. My family always likes landscapes and portraits which are kind of disappointing to me. I feel like they are too safe. I will agreeagree that I am scared to try diffferent techniques but I think when people come up with unique compositions or subject matters the piece is a lot more interesting.
Adrean
One of my favorite printmakers of all time is Albrecht Durer. He also did drawing and painting which is equally great but having experience with making prints I am amazed at the intricate designs and his extreme detailness. He has incredibly detail and I really love his subjects.
Biographical.. http://www.boglewood.com/cornaro/xdurer.html.. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/durr/hd_durr.htm
This is probably one of my favorite works of his.. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/durr/ho_18.65.8.htm
There are so many things going on in this work that it almost feels like a scavenger hunt. The time period in which he made his works has a huge impact on what he makes.. and I kind of like how he has such graphic works. I think a lot of peopleare afraid to state their opinions through art.. My family always likes landscapes and portraits which are kind of disappointing to me. I feel like they are too safe. I will agreeagree that I am scared to try diffferent techniques but I think when people come up with unique compositions or subject matters the piece is a lot more interesting.
Adrean
Final Friday
Well.. actually it was First Friday which I think caused a lot of confusion. A whole bunch of people kept asking me if they still had Final Fridays or not.. but anyway. I went to Shiftspace looking for Michael's and Emily's work.. when I couldn't find Michael's and found out they had not placed it up in the show I felt extremely bad for him. Whoever set up the gallery should've informed Michael. At the same time I realize that Monika didn't have much control over it and her explanation in class.. not only worried me but gave me drive. I understand that sometimes a work of mine might not get into a gallery but I also think that if a gallery does not inform the artist it reflects the image of the gallery poorly.
I don't quite understand the performance pieces. I mean they are kind of fun to watch but I feel like I'm watching an old movie.. I think of how people say, "anything can be art." Perhaps it's not my cup of tea.. but it always seems to me that performance art has to be something incredibly weird espcially from what Ann has told me about her class.
My favorite piece there was by Chiyoko Myose titled "when the light appears in their hiding places"It was basically a painting with random blocks painted on it.. I really like the color scheme. The yellow really advanced from the dark background. I also like the fact that these squares weren't perfect.. they were stretch and almost looked like a weaving instead.
I think Mike's piece lacked from my expectation. I think the piece would be a lot more successful with more wheat. And that .. box.. ...........
-Adrean
I don't quite understand the performance pieces. I mean they are kind of fun to watch but I feel like I'm watching an old movie.. I think of how people say, "anything can be art." Perhaps it's not my cup of tea.. but it always seems to me that performance art has to be something incredibly weird espcially from what Ann has told me about her class.
My favorite piece there was by Chiyoko Myose titled "when the light appears in their hiding places"It was basically a painting with random blocks painted on it.. I really like the color scheme. The yellow really advanced from the dark background. I also like the fact that these squares weren't perfect.. they were stretch and almost looked like a weaving instead.
I think Mike's piece lacked from my expectation. I think the piece would be a lot more successful with more wheat. And that .. box.. ...........
-Adrean
Friday, April 10, 2009
Everywhere. All the time.
I have recently been noticing art everywhere. I know that sounds very strange coming from an art student. But still it seems that everything around me starts to get analyzed. Color schemes in restaurants, landscape composition, menus, billboards, peoples wardrobes... I am finishing up decorating my room and it fits the same guidelines. Balance, symetry, etc. It just made me realize that the possiblities are endless with an art degree. And like Lyndsey said the smallest everyday things can become extrordinary when they are focused upon. I am just finding that the more time goes on the more I enjoy where my life is going. It is very exciting.
Easter Eggs!
That's right: Easter Eggs. This Friday I was stuck at home with the family, so we decided to dye Easter eggs. It was interesting to so how my family approached color in comparison to the way i approached it. After learning so much about color this past semester, I thought it was interesting how the family was able to use techniques for mixing, matching, and using colors successfully. At first I dreaded the idea of dyeing eggs for the millionth time, but after it was all done, I really enjoyed it. Not only did I get to spend time with my family, I also got to make art in a different way.
-Daniel
These are just a few of the eggs, and they are a little hard to see.
-Daniel
These are just a few of the eggs, and they are a little hard to see.Blog
On Wed. My 3-D design class participated in a performance piece for a student. I thought at first why the student(artist) was making us open bottle caps but I actually was surprised as to how interesting it really was. The sound it made were somewhat relaxing. And I'm interested in seeing what the video looks like in the end.
~ Lyndsey
~ Lyndsey
Bloggin'
First off I wanted to say to Aerica that I hope everything goes okay and that your Grandfather gets better.I was reading Aerica's post and the second half made me think. Her she is talking about how she's putting all of this feeling and emotion into her work and I don't feel like I've ever put anything of myself into my work. Which raised the question of can you not put yourself into the work or do you always, even if you don't realize that you're doing it? I want to say that artist always put themsleves into their work because that's what I'm taught but I don't feel like I put me into my work, I just feel like I am doing what I am told. Maybe I don't see me becuase I am me....
Laura
Laura
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Making Art Personal
This week has been very.. well, I'm not sure what a word for it is. Basically, in a nutshell, several distant relatives over the last month have been suffering some pretty severe medical problems. While, yes, I could recognize that it was a sad situation, it did not completely affect me. However, over the last two weeks, my Grandpa (who may as well be my Dad) has contracted a bacteria or virus or something. In a two week's time, he went from running daily outside to being out of breath just from walking across the room to having to use an oxygen tank just to function. This morning, he went into surgery so hopefully the Docs could figure out what's going on and fix it. My Grandpa is normally a healthy person who has never smoked. He hasn't had any history of asthma or any other breathing issues. This sudden change is very difficult for my entire family. It just isn't him.
So, back to the idea of art, I have learned this week just how much our daily lives affect what we do in both life and art. It affects how we think and how we release our feelings and thoughts. I mean, especially lately with all of these "portrait" and "self-portrait" projects that I've been getting (which have conveniently been at least three within these trying two weeks)--when taken seriously, they really force you to confront how you feel. It forces you to have to confront the reality that someone you love will die. And it may not happen peacefully in their sleep. I could always understand how art is supposed to be theraputic for the mind, but I've never actually tried. It's kinda funny how after I started, I couldn't seem to do much of anything without incorporating my feelings about all of this. I think it gives the art a greater meaning. A bigger purpose. To me, I think that feeling of intimacy is also relayed to the viewer. Maybe artists should be chronically tormented for the sake of the public... I mean, look at what happen to Van Gogh.
-Aerica
So, back to the idea of art, I have learned this week just how much our daily lives affect what we do in both life and art. It affects how we think and how we release our feelings and thoughts. I mean, especially lately with all of these "portrait" and "self-portrait" projects that I've been getting (which have conveniently been at least three within these trying two weeks)--when taken seriously, they really force you to confront how you feel. It forces you to have to confront the reality that someone you love will die. And it may not happen peacefully in their sleep. I could always understand how art is supposed to be theraputic for the mind, but I've never actually tried. It's kinda funny how after I started, I couldn't seem to do much of anything without incorporating my feelings about all of this. I think it gives the art a greater meaning. A bigger purpose. To me, I think that feeling of intimacy is also relayed to the viewer. Maybe artists should be chronically tormented for the sake of the public... I mean, look at what happen to Van Gogh.
-Aerica
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Blog
So, over the weekend I have been researching Andy Warhol for the assignment due on Monday. I'm not going to go into detail about him so I have something to talk about on Monday but I found him very interesting and odd in a good way. I find all of his artwork to be simple and yet very strong in meaning. He said something I thought was clever, which i'm not going to tell not until Monday.
I think my absolute favorite screenprint of his is of Marilyn Monroe. I myself enjoy drawing Marilyn Monroe. I actually recreated the screenprint that Andy Warhol did of her and have it over my bed. I think Marilyn Monroe is really fun and easy to draw. Also I dont remember who told me this but someone told me that Marilyn Monroe, Adury Heburn and Elizabeth Taylor all have the same face sturctures which make them the most known Beauty icons in the world. I just thought that was interesting, which is why I think Andy Warhol enjoyed making prints of them because he knew people knew them and would maybe focus more on his artwork.
~ Lyndsey
I think my absolute favorite screenprint of his is of Marilyn Monroe. I myself enjoy drawing Marilyn Monroe. I actually recreated the screenprint that Andy Warhol did of her and have it over my bed. I think Marilyn Monroe is really fun and easy to draw. Also I dont remember who told me this but someone told me that Marilyn Monroe, Adury Heburn and Elizabeth Taylor all have the same face sturctures which make them the most known Beauty icons in the world. I just thought that was interesting, which is why I think Andy Warhol enjoyed making prints of them because he knew people knew them and would maybe focus more on his artwork.
~ Lyndsey
Final/Faux/First Friday...with a twist...
So for the last few weeks I have been so pumped to go and see not only my peer's work hung in the Current presentation of work at WSU ShiftSpace but mine as well. Inviting friends and family to come and help me share the excitment of having something in a gallery I found that mine was not installed. After talking to three graduate students I found out that some of the work had to be axed due to the emense amount of work displayed. I was not that upset about my work not being up, but more of that fact that I was not notified and had my family and friends looking at me like I was crazy. On the other hand it was very nice to get to see the work of my other schoolmate's work and excitment in the gallery (Emily & Laura ;-]).
I thouroughly enjoyed the mixed media that was presented at City Arts with the use of painting drawing and print making. I went and viewed some other work down on commerce street that I enjoyed alot one dealing with new and old that used alot of paper cut. Some photography of lights. Ceramic creatures. Then making my way back near the warren to finish up the night with a drum jam session in the middle of the court with some friends.
I relish any chance I get to take a minute from the busy world I call my life to view art and listen to music. Final/Faux/First Friday did that for me even with the unexpected events that occured early that evening.
I thouroughly enjoyed the mixed media that was presented at City Arts with the use of painting drawing and print making. I went and viewed some other work down on commerce street that I enjoyed alot one dealing with new and old that used alot of paper cut. Some photography of lights. Ceramic creatures. Then making my way back near the warren to finish up the night with a drum jam session in the middle of the court with some friends.
I relish any chance I get to take a minute from the busy world I call my life to view art and listen to music. Final/Faux/First Friday did that for me even with the unexpected events that occured early that evening.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Final Friday and Other Happenings - Emily Ritter
It was weird to have final friday and first friday crammed into one. I did really like that. Current was interesting. It was nice to see what other students were working on, but I was disappointed that my piece was hung incorrectly (I should have written it down) and was EXTREMELY disappointed that Michael's piece got axed. City Arts had some nice things up, and it was great to hear a friend's band play while looking. Tanget Lab was a snoozefest, except when Spirit of the Stairs played. Amazing.
I really enjoyed experimenting with printmaking on Wednesday. I hope we get to do it again. So many ideas of things to try are now running through my mind.
Re: Glassblowing
Like Laura, I've been fascinated by glassblowing since I was young. Growing up, my family always had beautiful glass pieces. I was always amazed when I realized some person was making that, not a machine. I recently watched a glassblowing show on KPTS. The skill involved in making these pieces is insane. I remember that some guys were making this big elaborate piece, and one of them dropped it. They didn't even care; if it was me, I'd be upset. I have been debating on taking a glassblowing class for a year or so, and I think I'm going to this summer. The only place I know of is CityArts. If anyone knows of another place, please let me know.
-Daniel
-Daniel
Disappointment
I saw Laura (I drove past her, she didn't see me), Adrean, and Emily at Shift Space tonight. I was very happy to see Emily's collage up on the wall, but I was very disappointed that there wasn't enough room for all the RSC gallery winners' work and that Michael's in particular had to be cut. I know that everyone's work would have been shown if space allowed and I am sorry that the reality of last minute cuts had to surface at this event. I hope that the works not hung tonight will get a chance to appear at a futrue Final Friday. There was a lot going on in Shift Space tonight, including a performance art piece and space was at a premium.
On a more positive note, I agree with Jordan that Wed.'s class in the print making lab rocked! That was really fun and helped me understand more about why Monika encourages us to draw on top of other drawings. I loved the freedom of experimenting with color and texture and also using negative and positive space. I thought everybody made some really creative, interesting and beautiful things in class. ann
On a more positive note, I agree with Jordan that Wed.'s class in the print making lab rocked! That was really fun and helped me understand more about why Monika encourages us to draw on top of other drawings. I loved the freedom of experimenting with color and texture and also using negative and positive space. I thought everybody made some really creative, interesting and beautiful things in class. ann
Margaret's brief contribution for the week
A quot from Albert Einstein: "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."
Because I'm not sure if I'll remember to wake up...
... I'm posting this now. While I will be attending Final Friday tonight, I'm going to mention Jeff Schmuki. Awesome name, doncha think? Anywho, he came and spoke this last.. well, sometime this last week (is it just me, or did time really drag?). His work proved interesting; I mean, he used plants--specifically chia plants--as he main medium. But there was something about most, if not all, of his work that just felt like he wasn't pushing it far enough. I mean, he was pushing the concept of the chia just about as far as you could, but I don't feel that he really explored the combinations. Everything felt like he was running through a mansion and opening up all the doors, but never walking into the room. Still, that was just how I felt about his work. I did rather like his sculptures, though. They felt complete. I mean, they felt like a complete thought. I wish he could do more.
-Aerica
-Aerica
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Printmaking
I was really glad and excited to be able to spend last class in the printmaking studio. I think it is exciting to be able to have more creative freedom and not just be trying to draw what you see. I also was glad to be exposed to a new and exciting form of art and was reminded of why i wanted to come back to school, to learn about things that excite me. I found an interesting website that allows printmakers from around the world to post their work for our viewing pleasure.http://www.printmakers.info/. You should check it out.
Jordon May
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Glass blowing - Laura
One of the forms of art (well I consider it art) that completly facinates me is glass blowing. I've only been to the museum here in Wichita a few times but both times I just wanted to spend hours walking on the floor where underneath you in hundreds of glass blown bowls and other things I also want to look at the huge glass sculpture hanging in the center of the lobbyish area. Even the little glass figurines that you see at like Hallmark are stunning to me. I think it fascinates me so much because I don't know how the artist does that and to me glass is so fragile and to make anything that beautiful out of it is crazy amazing to me. Glass blowing is fantastic and will always be at the top of my list. Is glass blowing one or two words?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
But, baby, you'll freeze out there..
Okie-dokie. My excuse for blogging late is that I was trapped in a house in the semi-country due to the crazy weather with no power or Internet. Frankly, I thought it was absolutely wonderful.. I mean, until I realized it was in fact Saturday and since my Final Friday plans had been frozen over, I still had to do a blog. Oops. Well, anywho, back safe and kinda-sorta warm in the dorms, I'll just write one now.
I am currently enrolled in a Life Drawing class at WSU, but I attended a Life Drawing class at the Center of the Arts this last Friday morning. The atmosphere was completely different. At WSU, the model is surrounded from all sides with most of the lights (including the flourescents) on. None of the 6-8 people say much at all, whether the model is clothed or not. No music, no noise, just focus. Poses range anywhere from thirty seconds to thirty minutes with a majority of them being shorter poses. The focus is on speed; you're supposed to get as much accurate information from the model as possible before the time is up. It definitely keeps things moving along, and it definitely keeps your hands dirty.
At the Center for the Arts, only two people came--but from what I heard, the classes weren't usually much bigger. The model was lit with three lights from one source, and each artist had their own light for their paper. The three hour class only had three poses. Basically, minusing the breaks, each pose was about an hour or so long. Class was cut about thirty-minutes short due to the weather, but those were still some really long poses that allowed the artists to really spend time on details. The model was only about three or four feet from the artists, and during most of the session, all three--the model and the two artists--were in conversation. It was a very comfortable atmosphere as they talked about their own art work and how family reunions cost too much.
In general, I think I prefer the Center's version of model-artist relationships over WSU's. Then again, I suppose it all depends on the model and what they're comfortable with. But in general, the atmosphere was much more enjoyable and really made the time fly. It was definitely an interesting contrast. I think I'll go again next Friday.
-Aerica
I am currently enrolled in a Life Drawing class at WSU, but I attended a Life Drawing class at the Center of the Arts this last Friday morning. The atmosphere was completely different. At WSU, the model is surrounded from all sides with most of the lights (including the flourescents) on. None of the 6-8 people say much at all, whether the model is clothed or not. No music, no noise, just focus. Poses range anywhere from thirty seconds to thirty minutes with a majority of them being shorter poses. The focus is on speed; you're supposed to get as much accurate information from the model as possible before the time is up. It definitely keeps things moving along, and it definitely keeps your hands dirty.
At the Center for the Arts, only two people came--but from what I heard, the classes weren't usually much bigger. The model was lit with three lights from one source, and each artist had their own light for their paper. The three hour class only had three poses. Basically, minusing the breaks, each pose was about an hour or so long. Class was cut about thirty-minutes short due to the weather, but those were still some really long poses that allowed the artists to really spend time on details. The model was only about three or four feet from the artists, and during most of the session, all three--the model and the two artists--were in conversation. It was a very comfortable atmosphere as they talked about their own art work and how family reunions cost too much.
In general, I think I prefer the Center's version of model-artist relationships over WSU's. Then again, I suppose it all depends on the model and what they're comfortable with. But in general, the atmosphere was much more enjoyable and really made the time fly. It was definitely an interesting contrast. I think I'll go again next Friday.
-Aerica
Friday, March 27, 2009
A post for the blog
http://www.secretwalltattoos.com/
I remember coming across this site a few years ago and being extremely interested in it. Basically, people go around to different hotels or other places, and draw in areas that are rarely seen. For example: behind a mirror or under a rug. After coming across this site, I began wondering if I had ever been in one of these rooms full of secret images. From then on, I've always wanted to do something similar; create something that very few(if any) will ever see, but when someone finds it, it will have a great effect on them.
-Daniel
I remember coming across this site a few years ago and being extremely interested in it. Basically, people go around to different hotels or other places, and draw in areas that are rarely seen. For example: behind a mirror or under a rug. After coming across this site, I began wondering if I had ever been in one of these rooms full of secret images. From then on, I've always wanted to do something similar; create something that very few(if any) will ever see, but when someone finds it, it will have a great effect on them.
-Daniel
Let it ice, let it ice, let it ice......
Well, the weather outside is frightfully interesting with more changes to come. I'm hoping to have a field day taking pictures tomorrow after more precip falls. Not that there isn't plenty already.
Like Ann I bailed on FF. No need to leave the house. Especially when I can read and appreciate advice and commentary from fellow students.
BTW, great dream Ann! Always good to have a sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.
Will need to check out the film and web localities mentioned soon. Remainder of weekend will be spent designing and also cutting stencils for D II. Why not?
Margaret
Like Ann I bailed on FF. No need to leave the house. Especially when I can read and appreciate advice and commentary from fellow students.
BTW, great dream Ann! Always good to have a sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.
Will need to check out the film and web localities mentioned soon. Remainder of weekend will be spent designing and also cutting stencils for D II. Why not?
Margaret
Weekly blog from Laura
Okay first off Ann, that sounds like a really crazy dream, and I mean really crazy. One of the things that I wanted to say was that I like having Jodi as a "substitute" teacher this week, not becuase I don't like Monika, but because I like seeing and hearing advise/critics from different teachers. I mean everyone sees things differently and I guess I just like the change of pace. Okay the other thing that I wanted to talk about was this website called deviantART, basically it is like MySpace for artists. If you want to check it out just go to http://www.deviantart.com/. I love this site because you can basically find any kind of art that you are looking for. You can buy art or just look. It's fun for me because I like seeing what other people are doing and helps to inspire me for my next project. Some of the people on this site are really quite amazing. I would encourage anyone to go and take a little peak at this site.
Interesting Art and Final Friday - Emily Ritter
As for Final Friday, I have heard through email from many that several shows are being moved to next Friday. I know the Shift Space show (which I was super excited to see since I got one piece in!) has been moved to April 3rd.
Google is a wonderful thing. I searched for interesting art and came across this gem. http://lg071.k12.sd.us/Art.htm
I love the work that was done on one piece of paper. You don't usually think of those kinds of solutions.
Another link is one to interesting art illusions. Go play around!!
http://olesiafx.com/news/archives/919
Bailing on Final Friday and Pinging Windows
Well, I'm not sure what to blog about this week because I was planning on going to Final Friday but am bailing on that, assuming it is still on. The little icy pellets pinging off my windows advise me that this is a good decision. About art. . . I've been reading quite a bit about feminism in art lately for a research project in art history. I fell asleep last night reading the Guerilla Girls Bedside Compainion to the History of Western Art and had a crazy dream. In the dream I was a black and white stick figure rotating on an imaginary axis and being sucked into a swirling vortex that eminated from the center of a Robert Delaunay painting. I thought I was going to be swallowed alive (you'd get this better if you read pages 60-61 of the book). Instead of being terrified, I felt a detached sense of humor about the whole thing and asked the painting where was its mustache. El whacko, I know but now I've started wondering about the Guerilla Girls' identities. I'm faily sure Ida Applebroog, Louise Bourgeois, Jenny Holzer, and Barbara Kruger are involved. Maybe Ann Hamilton and Yoko Ono too. Does anyone else have an opinion about who they are? Also, thanks for the moive tip, Daniel. I want to check it out. Hope everyone has a warm and safe weekend. ann
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Art School Confidential
One of my favorite movies is "Art School Confidential." I found this movie at a video rental store that was closing. I figured it was only $3 so I might as well buy it. When I bought this movie, I was just deciding to go into art school. In this movie, you can see all the different art school stereotypes. I won't go into these stereotypes because I don't want to offend anyone. After seeing this movie and attending art school for almost two semesters, I can see these stereotypes, and the only thing I can do is chuckle to myself whenever something from the movie happens to me. I suggest this movie to anyone who has a good sense of humor and 2 hours to spare.
-Daniel
-Daniel
Reaction to Drawing From Life - Emily Ritter
My favorite section is the one about Martin Wilner. I love the parts about how what he draws is how his mind processes visual data. The time limits he has on the subway ties into our class time limits. You end up emphasizing on what your mind chooses to.
Overall, what I got from the sections is that journals are important to everyone, no matter what occupation. Also, no matter what occupation, each journal can be considered art. Journals are a way of recording life and how each individual sees, or imagines it.
blog
I enjoy looking at art form many different types of museums such as Modern, Contemporary, and Abstract. I was searching the Internet and found a site called http://www.moma.org/. The site name is The Museum of Modern Art. It is amazing to see how so many different artists can think of so many interesting ways to express themselves. Some of the things I see in museums surprises me because I think "How did they come up with that?" and it turn out really interesting. A Lithograph called Le Grand Nu (The Large Nude) 1906 by Henri Matisse, this piece is really simple yet very strong in a sense that it kind of relates( to me, in my opinion) to Venus of Willendorf ca 24,000-22,000. The piece by Henri Matisse shows similar attributes to the Venus of Willendorf, the piece ,The large nude, the head appears to have no face, the breasts are extremely visible, and the position of the body is somewhat sexual expressing the idea of fertility just like the Venus of Willendorf. To see the piece I was talking about go to http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3ADE%3AI%3A2%7CG%3AHI%3AE%3A1%7CA%3AHO%3AE%3A1&page_number=41&template_id=1&sort_order=1 it will take you start to the picture of the piece.
~Lyndsey Coker
~Lyndsey Coker
Friday, March 20, 2009
The Reading
One thing that I have to say about this reading and the book in general is that I love the fact that some of the specific people that they put in here to talk about aren't artists in their day to day lives, well they don't call themselves artists anyway. Rick Hoblitt is a a Geologist, Martin Wilner is a pdychiatrist, and Masayoshi Nakano is an engineer. Each person that I read about stood out to me, but none of them stood out in the same way. With Rick Hoblitt it was his attention to detail and his determination to get down all of the details that he could. With Martin Wilner it was a line or two that talked about when he was in medical school he stopped making art because he thought that he didn't have the time but when he stopped his grades suffered and they only picked up when he started making art again. That was fascinating because I would've though it would've been the other way around. It made me question what about art could make it possible for this man to get better grades? Masayoshi Nakano never went to the same place twice unless he had a question about the place. Which to me is interesting because if I go or see something somewhere that I find interesting I want to keep going back to that one place over and over again. But if you do go to that one place only once maybe that makes those recolections of that time that much more precious and interesting and they will stay that way longer. Still I couldn't believe that he took all that time to make his 40 some journals and then he destroyed all but one. I can't see myself ever doing that. Everyone of the people can be considered in my opinion artists just off of their journals because they make really great journals. Before reading this book I never saw the importance in making and keeping a journal. A journal or sketchbook to me was just something that I drew in when I had an idea for art, was in an artistic mood, or was bored and had nothing else to do. This book is making me want to "journal" more and more just to see how I progress.
Laura
Laura
Drawing From Life with lots of notes.
From the reading assignment, I found the amount of data incredibly fascinating. It's often easy to take notes for granted. I mean, one expects a sensation to be as fresh and vivid as when it was first experienced, but the truth is that things get lost and things are never as fresh as they were initially. So, notes are a pretty swell thing to use when recalling events.
Rick Hoblitt is a wonderful example of a living dialogue. Kinda like the hovering author in Stranger Than Fiction, (you'll have to excuse me, it's on TV right now and I just can't help myself), Hoblitt details every single event down to the very second. It almost makes one wonder how he even manages to live when every moment is scribbled down in his notebook.
I really enjoyed Renato Umali's kind of research. I mean, a day-to-day collage of events--single events--that affect him and make him. It would be amazing to look back and see how things developed. It seems like a wonderfully terrible way to see the truth of things.
Something about Hannah Hinchman's note-taking was also very endearing to me. While her notes were not as meticulous as Hoblitt's, nor as personal as Umali's, Hinchman's notes registered the simple beauty of the world around her. A simple note for each day, marking the changes in the seasons. Her drawings capture an overall feel of the area--what the scene makes her feel rather than what it may actually look like.
Looking at these notes, it makes me want to be organized with my own. I mean, fifty-two lil' notecards pinned on a tiny cork board is hardly a place for good inspiration. I guess I'm making a late New Year's resolution. Wish me luck.
-Aerica
Rick Hoblitt is a wonderful example of a living dialogue. Kinda like the hovering author in Stranger Than Fiction, (you'll have to excuse me, it's on TV right now and I just can't help myself), Hoblitt details every single event down to the very second. It almost makes one wonder how he even manages to live when every moment is scribbled down in his notebook.
I really enjoyed Renato Umali's kind of research. I mean, a day-to-day collage of events--single events--that affect him and make him. It would be amazing to look back and see how things developed. It seems like a wonderfully terrible way to see the truth of things.
Something about Hannah Hinchman's note-taking was also very endearing to me. While her notes were not as meticulous as Hoblitt's, nor as personal as Umali's, Hinchman's notes registered the simple beauty of the world around her. A simple note for each day, marking the changes in the seasons. Her drawings capture an overall feel of the area--what the scene makes her feel rather than what it may actually look like.
Looking at these notes, it makes me want to be organized with my own. I mean, fifty-two lil' notecards pinned on a tiny cork board is hardly a place for good inspiration. I guess I'm making a late New Year's resolution. Wish me luck.
-Aerica
Comments on Commenting from Ann
Hi, everyone. First off I'd like to say that Margaret is right (and will make a wonderful teacher). You learn tons reading what we all have to say. Jordon, many people think of their houses as works of art. You are right- why can't objects and structures be considered art? Fritz Hemans spends a lot of time on architecture in Survey I of art history, but I don't think buildings have to be ancient to work as art. Adrean, thanks for the web site info on the 4-yr old artist. I have sent it to my daughter who paints in a similar style. Marla's art is wonderul and so exuberant. A lot of people have made comments about any 4-yr old painting anything that doesn't look perfectly representational. For many of us, we can't get out the Baroque era visually. Marla is like a cheerful Jackson Pollock, but as Royce will tell you, when most people try to replicate his work, they can't get the same resulsts and most attempts look like colored splotches of spaghetti- it's hard. You have to really know how to draw to imitate the Cubists as well. About the term prodigy- it's easier to say than an extremely talented young person with lots of potential. I hope she will keep painting because she loves it and not to make her parents or art gallery happy.
Now, about the Journal . . . I too connected with Martin Wilner and his subway series of faces, partly because I identift with having two strong interests, in my case, art and music. When singing an aria, I approach the performance aspect by being a vehicle that brings life to the music or composer's vision. I try to become someone else, the character or the notes- anything to get away from myself (my way of handling stage fright, I guess). But no matter what, I expose a lot of my inner self in the process. When I create my own art, it also is a personal statement, but for some reason, I don't feel as vulnerable and I wonder if it is partly because with art, I create in my personal space, at least mentally, but with a live performance the creative process happens in front of others, warts and all. Anyway, I loved the accordian version of the faces Wilner created and I now notice that one of his drawings appears on the cover of our book
Now, about the Journal . . . I too connected with Martin Wilner and his subway series of faces, partly because I identift with having two strong interests, in my case, art and music. When singing an aria, I approach the performance aspect by being a vehicle that brings life to the music or composer's vision. I try to become someone else, the character or the notes- anything to get away from myself (my way of handling stage fright, I guess). But no matter what, I expose a lot of my inner self in the process. When I create my own art, it also is a personal statement, but for some reason, I don't feel as vulnerable and I wonder if it is partly because with art, I create in my personal space, at least mentally, but with a live performance the creative process happens in front of others, warts and all. Anyway, I loved the accordian version of the faces Wilner created and I now notice that one of his drawings appears on the cover of our book
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Drawing From Life - Reflection
Margaret says, "Read your classmates' blogs!" Laura posted one that I really wanted to comment on and did. It ties in with our latest assigned reading. That is, why and how we create what we create may change and expand as our lives develop and unfold.
Like Martin Wilner (gotta love those dream enthusiasts) I believe that the creations of an artist are, at least on one level, about the artist. The artist's own eye selects the subjects, mind processes and hands render the images. My dream studies have brought me to a similar conclusion. Everything can be interpreted on multiple levels. One or some of the levels may be more obvious than others at any given time. All are valid.
An example of the artist making choices throughout the process of creating an image in order to share some information while keeping other information personal is given by Anderson Kenny's coded images. His multimedia, layered sketches are beautifully & carefully presented on the pages for anyone to see and yet they contain personal "work" unavailable to viewers. This incomplete knowledge of the work's process in no way diminishes it as meaningful, in some way, to viewers.
As I finished reading the "observation" section I started to become aware of the lead in to the "reflection" section of the text. Journaling is a process with, as the author states, the multiple purposes of observtion, reflection, exploration and creation. The creative work invloved in producing visual and text records of people, places and things takes as many forms as there are recorders. Reviewing what has been recorded is as important as continuing to record new observations. Journalers are able to see and reflect on their own choices, processes, styles, and gain valuable awareness of themselves and their evolution/development both personally and professionally.
Whether begun as emotional outlets, event/time trackers, rituals/habits, or maps, journals become much more rewarding. Tucker Shaw's food photos prompt memories of people and events and have led him to become more aware in the moment. Idelle Weber's habit of drawing small sketches of heads has helped her through difficult periods when the creativity was not flowing freely. Renato Umali reaps the benefits of tracking and rating how his time is spent. Marcy Kentz consideers her journals to be life partners. Whether literal maps of personal journeys, like those of Masayoshi Nakano, or process maps recognized as such after the fact, our journals can and do show us our progress along the way and sometimes "the way" itself.
Happy Journaling! - Margaret R.
Like Martin Wilner (gotta love those dream enthusiasts) I believe that the creations of an artist are, at least on one level, about the artist. The artist's own eye selects the subjects, mind processes and hands render the images. My dream studies have brought me to a similar conclusion. Everything can be interpreted on multiple levels. One or some of the levels may be more obvious than others at any given time. All are valid.
An example of the artist making choices throughout the process of creating an image in order to share some information while keeping other information personal is given by Anderson Kenny's coded images. His multimedia, layered sketches are beautifully & carefully presented on the pages for anyone to see and yet they contain personal "work" unavailable to viewers. This incomplete knowledge of the work's process in no way diminishes it as meaningful, in some way, to viewers.
As I finished reading the "observation" section I started to become aware of the lead in to the "reflection" section of the text. Journaling is a process with, as the author states, the multiple purposes of observtion, reflection, exploration and creation. The creative work invloved in producing visual and text records of people, places and things takes as many forms as there are recorders. Reviewing what has been recorded is as important as continuing to record new observations. Journalers are able to see and reflect on their own choices, processes, styles, and gain valuable awareness of themselves and their evolution/development both personally and professionally.
Whether begun as emotional outlets, event/time trackers, rituals/habits, or maps, journals become much more rewarding. Tucker Shaw's food photos prompt memories of people and events and have led him to become more aware in the moment. Idelle Weber's habit of drawing small sketches of heads has helped her through difficult periods when the creativity was not flowing freely. Renato Umali reaps the benefits of tracking and rating how his time is spent. Marcy Kentz consideers her journals to be life partners. Whether literal maps of personal journeys, like those of Masayoshi Nakano, or process maps recognized as such after the fact, our journals can and do show us our progress along the way and sometimes "the way" itself.
Happy Journaling! - Margaret R.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Blog Blog Blog
Itts spring break and I am painting my house. I would like to have to not just work all day over the break, but that is pretty much what I am doing. I think that it is interesting how often times we tend to seperate structures from art. While I am painting on my house I get the idea that alot of the principles of art exist in architecture such as our homes. The importance of something that we have to live in everyday and look at seems to be pretty significant to me. My question is why dont we consider our homes art?
Jordon May
Monday, March 16, 2009
Prodigy?
So this morning there was nothing on tv and I flipped to a movie called "My kid could paint that!" It's about a little girl named Marla who does these really bold colorful paintings. Most of the concern with this movie... is should this little girl be called a prodigy? should she be in the spot light? It also starts to criticize modern art. If a four year old can do it than any one can. She is already selling paintings for twice as much as an average adult artist.
www.marlaolmstead.com is the little girls site if anyone is interested in learning more about her.
-Adrean
www.marlaolmstead.com is the little girls site if anyone is interested in learning more about her.
-Adrean
Sunday, March 15, 2009
crayon art
browsing through notcot.com i ran across something intriguing. a set of twigs that had been sculpted with crayon as a medium. I really like the attention to detail that is shown. here is the link to check it out
http://www.stanleyruiz.com/
RJ Carlino
http://www.stanleyruiz.com/
RJ Carlino
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Grafitti Art
I wasn't orginally planning on writing about this subject but I had the strangest dream last night. I was representing something I didn't understand and my car was broken into. The trunk was left open where the rain had ruined all of my drawings. I learned two things from this... be careful of what you represent and make known to the world but don't completely censor yourself out of fear.. and second, don't leave your art work in a vehicle where water and sun can get to it.
We see grafitti every day but hardly any of us actually sit there and think "that guy has really good technique or color choice".. instead we think "they're are destroying public property".
This website refers to these artistic crimes. http://www.graffiti.org/ You could simply google "graffiti" and you'd be amazed at all the stuff that comes up. Some facilities have even asked or paid individuals to grafitti their buildings. I just think that it is interesting because these are usually just words or signs but these graffitiers? have twisted the style to make it appealing.
This also goes along with the stencils that we are currently doing. If you look around town there is a ton of stencil art especially in the Delano district in back alleys. Here are some "political" stencils. I have been looking up what the bombs that are often represented in these work are.. but I just keep getting "bomb in peace" if any one knows... http://www.stencilrevolution.com/photopost/
-Adrean
We see grafitti every day but hardly any of us actually sit there and think "that guy has really good technique or color choice".. instead we think "they're are destroying public property".
This website refers to these artistic crimes. http://www.graffiti.org/ You could simply google "graffiti" and you'd be amazed at all the stuff that comes up. Some facilities have even asked or paid individuals to grafitti their buildings. I just think that it is interesting because these are usually just words or signs but these graffitiers? have twisted the style to make it appealing.
This also goes along with the stencils that we are currently doing. If you look around town there is a ton of stencil art especially in the Delano district in back alleys. Here are some "political" stencils. I have been looking up what the bombs that are often represented in these work are.. but I just keep getting "bomb in peace" if any one knows... http://www.stencilrevolution.com/photopost/
-Adrean
Complications
I found myself thinking about art when I was younger. When I was little they would always just say draw whatever you want it doesn't matter just do something. Now that I'm older there are more rules. There's restrictions as to what I have to create and what I can use to create my art. Also there is more people to think about. When I was little I made my "art" to please me, I made what I liked, now they tell me that I have to think about my audience and what they like and what they want to see. Whatever happened to artists showing the world what they feel and see through their eyes? Is that lost? Anyway I was just thinking about that and they fact that art was so simple when I was younger and now it is no longer simple, it seems to me that as you learn more about something the more complicated that something becomes.
--Laura--
--Laura--
Friday, March 13, 2009
Collaborative Drawing Impression
I must say that I didn't really know what to expect when we were first assigned the collaborative drawing. I figured it would be like any other assignment, but I was mistaken. It was a nice change to work with other people in creating something. It was interesting to see how different people perceive things and how they approach drawing. Often times we are so busy with our own work, we don't stop to look at what others are doing, how they are doing it, and why they are doing it. Seeing the different groups' drawings was a great way to show how different everyone's influences are. When we aren't just stuck drawing a still life for class but rather something we can interpret things in our own way, it feels much more rewarding.
-Daniel
-Daniel
Brain Broken: Margaret R.
BOOM! Rikadika! Who is sikasika? I am I am Iam.
Now that I have your attention I do not have much to blog about. I'm not seeking sympathy and I am getting better. I'm just finding that a color description of how I have felt since yesterday morning is all I can think about...except for the fact that every time I close my eyes I see the #*! brayer and the everso lovely contours of it.
Head = intense jagged red and blue stripes through today
Eyes = barely visible black dots framed in blood red
Lips and Feet = tint of blue
Mouth = dry sand is an apt earthtone
Stomach = bright " right out of the tube" yellow
Lungs (during stomach episodes) = yelloworange, orange, redorange
That's about it. I have had some mighty strange and elaborate dreams during those few highly welcome moments of sleep. But I won't go into those here. Hope this wasn't too graphic for anyone. Tried to keep it simple.
What else? When the red and blue lines subside a little I have gone to ripping pages from catalogues and magazines in preparation for making stencils. I have chosen the " artist who uses drawing" for my presentation. Want to read, watch movies, draw and so on. Later.
I wish everyone in the pink and having a very happy and relaxing break!
Now that I have your attention I do not have much to blog about. I'm not seeking sympathy and I am getting better. I'm just finding that a color description of how I have felt since yesterday morning is all I can think about...except for the fact that every time I close my eyes I see the #*! brayer and the everso lovely contours of it.
Head = intense jagged red and blue stripes through today
Eyes = barely visible black dots framed in blood red
Lips and Feet = tint of blue
Mouth = dry sand is an apt earthtone
Stomach = bright " right out of the tube" yellow
Lungs (during stomach episodes) = yelloworange, orange, redorange
That's about it. I have had some mighty strange and elaborate dreams during those few highly welcome moments of sleep. But I won't go into those here. Hope this wasn't too graphic for anyone. Tried to keep it simple.
What else? When the red and blue lines subside a little I have gone to ripping pages from catalogues and magazines in preparation for making stencils. I have chosen the " artist who uses drawing" for my presentation. Want to read, watch movies, draw and so on. Later.
I wish everyone in the pink and having a very happy and relaxing break!
8 Wonders of Kansas Art - Part One - Emily Ritter
To keep up with the theme of my previous post, here are two more of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art (the previous one was the Garden of Eden).
Second are theJohn Steuart Curry murals. They are a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art because "Curry was one of the greatest American regionalist painters and, despite great controversy; he considered the murals in the State Capitol his greatest work!
The Blue Sky Sculpture in Newton is a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art because it positions the viewer in a juxtaposition between the sculptural imag
ery and the natural sky.
Second are the
Read more at http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/artresults.php
The lighter side of art for spring break.
What do you get when you cross a boxer with an artist? Mohammed Dali. What did the artist say when he went in to see the dentist? Matisse hurts. Ok, if you are still reading this, you may have figured out that besides being easily amused by bad puns, I thought it might be fun to talk about a few places to go for comic relief when art homework is getting a little too intense and you just need a brain break. There are several joke sites where you can find bad jokes about art but one with lots of categories is found at www.buy-original-art.com/entertainment/art_jokes. Also, if you are easily amused visually, you might try the MOBA website (Museum of Bad Art - art too bad to be ignored) at http://www.museumofbadart.org/ or try http://www.megamonalisa.com/ which pokes fun at the Mona Lisa. The MOBA takes donations and guest commentators from time to time if anyone is interested. Two movies that look and poke fun at the New York art world are Slaves of New York with Bernadette Peters (or the orignal book by Tama Janowitz) and the first vingette in Woody Allen's New York Stories. The former is a colorful look at trying to become part of NYC's underground, edgy loft space art world while the latter exposes the fragile, volatile emotional state of an established artist and egomaniac who loses his younger muse. Hope everyone has a great spring break and has fun with art in some way. ann
The Royal Tenebaums
It's a movie. A good one. Concerning plot, it's about the Tenebaum family and their lives. From paranoid widowers to emotionally detatched writers, ever-caring mothers and asshole fathers, The Royal Tenebaums manages to glide through many aspects of life in a very dry and personal way. While the storyline is beautiful in itself, what I really wanted to talk about here was the cinematography of the movie.
Colors play a huge role in the movie. The Tenebaum name is always represented in a rich green with gold accents. It seems to embody a kind of aging glory that forever remains powerful, if only older. Now rather than going through a bunch of names that you may or may not recognize, I am going to pick out a couple of scenes. The character of Margot Tenebaum is a very depressing, apathetic character who seems to hold no emotional weight for most of the movie. However, her fair skin and child-cut hairstyle contrast with her personality. She is also portrayed in very light, feminine pastels throughout the movie. Perhaps the only character about her that speaks of her utter emotional detatchment is her incredibly heavy black eye make-up. Otherwise, her overall appearance and setting embodies feminine innocence and delicacy. Her huge faux-fur coat exaggerates the youthful wonder of her character.
Richie Tenebaum is much like Margot in that he does not show a lot of emotion. However, unlike Margot, he maintains a cool and calm composure that is more socially inviting. To compliment his personality, he is dressed in blues and whites. He appears on a white boat out in the ocean and in a brilliantly blue bathroom. The bathroom is a big part of the movie, with colors I mean. The calm blue reacts violently with the red blood and dark brown hair, adding an unspoken intensity to the scene.
Basically, The Royal Tenebaums is a wonderful movie that I highly recommend. I mean, unless you're looking for action-packed sex scandals. But the movie does have drugs, several sex scandals, several financial scandals, several love scandals, and one car crash. It's good business.
-Aerica
Colors play a huge role in the movie. The Tenebaum name is always represented in a rich green with gold accents. It seems to embody a kind of aging glory that forever remains powerful, if only older. Now rather than going through a bunch of names that you may or may not recognize, I am going to pick out a couple of scenes. The character of Margot Tenebaum is a very depressing, apathetic character who seems to hold no emotional weight for most of the movie. However, her fair skin and child-cut hairstyle contrast with her personality. She is also portrayed in very light, feminine pastels throughout the movie. Perhaps the only character about her that speaks of her utter emotional detatchment is her incredibly heavy black eye make-up. Otherwise, her overall appearance and setting embodies feminine innocence and delicacy. Her huge faux-fur coat exaggerates the youthful wonder of her character.
Richie Tenebaum is much like Margot in that he does not show a lot of emotion. However, unlike Margot, he maintains a cool and calm composure that is more socially inviting. To compliment his personality, he is dressed in blues and whites. He appears on a white boat out in the ocean and in a brilliantly blue bathroom. The bathroom is a big part of the movie, with colors I mean. The calm blue reacts violently with the red blood and dark brown hair, adding an unspoken intensity to the scene.
Basically, The Royal Tenebaums is a wonderful movie that I highly recommend. I mean, unless you're looking for action-packed sex scandals. But the movie does have drugs, several sex scandals, several financial scandals, several love scandals, and one car crash. It's good business.
-Aerica
Friday, March 6, 2009
Drawing from Life
As I began looking through this book one thing really became clear to me: the importance of a journal. Before starting college, I never really kept a sketchbook, let alone a journal. However, after looking through the pages of Drawing from Life, I think it inspired me to keep a journal/sketchbook for myself, and not just use it for school. One thing that I really liked was the following quote: "In the end, journals may show more fully than any finished piece what it has meant to be us."
-Daniel
-Daniel
Mel Chin - Emily Ritter
Going into Mel Chin's artist talk, I had feelings of disinterest. I got there at 4 (because I was stuck in the building and wanted good seats) with no idea what was to be said. To my surprise, Chin was there doing sound check. He came over to my friend and I and started talking to us about our work and what our emphasis is. I told him that I am fascinated by the mind, dreams, and conscience-ness. He said "Philosophy too?" I replied "Definitely." He then told me that this is what he would talk about. I was very impressed with his speech and everything he covered. I walked out of the lecture hall with the opposite feelings I walked in with. I felt like I understood him more after our ten minuet conversation.
Now for the Drawing from Life reading:
Reading the preface made me want to search and find all my old "visual journals." While reading the required pages, so many ideas popped in my head of what to put in my sketchbooks. I think I am obsessed. Hah. My journals to me are "memory banks", to-do lists, ideas, and inspirations. Also a doodle-book. I don't date things like I should. Overall, I think it is interesting how much diversity there is with the term journal.
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