Miriam Pichardo @angels4miriam - Tumblr Blog

3DArt//Final artist statement & sketches

Throughout this semester in my 3D art class, I discovered which materials and processes I connect with the most. My favorite materials were definitely the carving tools I used for both the soap carving project and my ceramic piece. I really enjoyed the hands-on aspect of carving and shaping forms, especially because it allowed me to bring my ideas to life in a more physical and detailed way. There was something very satisfying about slowly revealing a form and having control over each small detail.

My favorite assignments were the soap carving and the ceramic project. I especially loved these because they gave me the opportunity to create my own personal character, which is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. Being able to design something from my imagination and then physically build it made the experience feel much more meaningful and personal. It allowed me to express my creativity in a way that felt natural to me.

One of the main obstacles I experienced this semester was comparing my work to others. At times, it made me doubt my own ideas or feel like my work wasn’t good enough. However, over time, I began to understand that art is not about being better than someone else, but about being unique and authentic. Instead of letting comparison discourage me, I started using it as motivation to improve and push myself further. This shift in mindset helped me grow more confident in my own style and creative decisions.

Another challenge I faced was learning how to work with unfamiliar materials and techniques. Some processes didn’t come easily at first, and I had to be patient with myself. I overcame this by practicing, asking questions, and allowing myself to make mistakes. Through trial and error, I became more comfortable and learned how to problem-solve when things didn’t go as planned.

Overall, this class was a very valuable learning experience for me. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone while also helping me discover what I truly enjoy creating. Moving forward, I hope to continue developing my skills, especially in character design and sculptural work. Whether in future classes or my career, I want to keep growing as an artist, becoming more confident in my ideas, and continuing to create work that feels personal and meaningful to me.

Note: I wasn’t able to go to a museum however I was able to go to an Art gallery and the faculty show. At the Art gallery I was inspired to draw some sketches of real people I found online.

My ceramic piece was my favorite project to work on this semester. I really enjoyed coming up with my own character , making a sketch and seeing how it developed throughout the process. Since it was my first time ever working with ceramics, it was a bit challenging at the beginning, especially trying to understand how the material worked. Using air-dry clay also made me feel like I was on a bit of a time crunch, which added some pressure. Despite that, I had a lot of fun with the project, and it was really rewarding to see my idea come to life in the end.

Note: my bunny’s left ear did unfortunately break off. But since the idea was to make a stitched up bunny, i figured it worked out.

Soap sculpture// My soap sculpture was one of my favorite assignments this semester. I really enjoyed the process of carving the soap and letting the form develop naturally rather than going in with a fixed idea of what it should look like. Working this way allowed me to be more intuitive and open to change, and I liked figuring things out as I went. The final result feels more organic and personal because of that process.

This one was the first one I made

Unfortunately my Ephemeral Art piece was destroyed by the rain. I unfortunately don’t have the pictures of the original state of the piece.

This piece was one of the most challenging assignments for me this semester. While I appreciated the concept behind it, it wasn’t my favorite to work on, especially at the beginning when I struggled to fully understand the process and how to approach it. I found it difficult to choose the right sticks and materials, and I wasn’t always confident in my decisions. Even though I’m not extremely proud of how it turned out, the experience still taught me a lot about patience, problem-solving, and trusting the process. It pushed me to work through uncertainty and helped me grow as an artist, even if the final result wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for.

For my assemblage piece, I really enjoyed the process of figuring out where each object should go and how they worked together as a whole. It was interesting to experiment with placement and balance, and to see how each decision changed the overall composition. I liked how everything came together in the end, and I’m happy with how the final piece looks.

Betye Saar uses found objects and personal artifacts to create assemblages that explore identity and history.

Kurt Schwitters collected scraps and discarded materials, turning everyday trash into art through collage and assemblage.

Joseph Cornell arranged found objects inside boxes to create poetic, dreamlike scenes.

Louise Nevelson assembled discarded wood into large sculptures, often painting them one color to unify the forms.

Although the objects they used could be considered random or even meaningless on their own—sometimes even garbage—each artist transformed these materials through their art. By placing them into new contexts, they gave the objects purpose, emotion, and meaning, showing how ordinary materials can become powerful works of art.

Found objects:

FIGURE DRAWING

ARTIST STATEMENT

Throughout my figure drawing class, I discovered how much I truly enjoy drawing from life. Working with a real model was an entirely new experience for me, and it challenged me in the best ways. Learning to observe the body in real time—its proportions, gestures, and subtle shifts—pushed me to focus more carefully and draw more confidently.

At first, capturing quick poses and studying the figure felt intimidating, but as the weeks went on, I began to appreciate the process deeply. Drawing from a live model made everything feel more dynamic and meaningful, and it helped me understand the human form in a way that photographs never could.

I genuinely loved the experience. It opened my eyes to a new side of art that I didn’t realize I would enjoy this much. This class challenged me, taught me patience, and helped me connect more with my own artistic abilities. Overall, it was a unique and memorable part of my growth as an artist.

2D ART || pt.2

ARTIST STATEMENT// 2D ART

When I started my 2D art class, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I quickly realized it would challenge me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. Throughout the course, I was introduced to new techniques, materials, and perspectives that pushed me outside my comfort zone. Even though I struggled at times while learning unfamiliar methods, each challenge helped me understand art on a deeper level.

As the weeks went on, I began noticing things I had never paid attention to before—how color interacts, how composition guides the eye, and how intentional every mark can be. These lessons changed the way I approach creating and made me appreciate the process much more.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed the class. It was challenging, but also rewarding. I grew not just in skill, but in confidence, and I’m leaving with a stronger understanding of 2D art and what I’m capable of as an artist.

1. How did you enjoy participating in this activity?

I genuinely enjoyed participating in this activity because it allowed me to engage with art in a more intentional and reflective way than I normally do. Instead of simply looking at individual pieces, I found myself thinking about how each work was created, what time period it came from, and what the artist might have been trying to communicate. Walking through the exhibitions helped me slow down and observe details I usually overlook, and I felt inspired throughout the entire visit.

2. What did you like best?

What I liked best was the variety of artistic styles and cultural perspectives represented in the exhibitions. I appreciated that the works weren’t limited to one era or type of art—there were pieces from different time periods, different backgrounds, and completely different artistic approaches. Seeing that level of diversity made the experience richer, because I could compare how ideas, aesthetics, and techniques evolved over time. It reminded me how limitless art truly is.

3. Which venue did you enjoy best and why?

I preferred the ICA over the MOCA. The ICA felt more engaging to me, partly because there was simply so much to see, but also because the exhibitions spanned a wide range of cultures and historical contexts. I connected more deeply with the works there, and I enjoyed the way the layout encouraged exploration. The ICA felt dynamic—as if every corner revealed something completely different. That made the experience exciting, and I left feeling even more inspired than when I arrived.

4. Which was your favorite location and why?

My favorite location was definitely the ICA. It had the perfect balance of contemporary and historical work, allowing me to see how art shifts with its time period while still carrying universal themes. The variety made the experience meaningful because I could see how one generation’s emotions or struggles differ from another’s. Somehow, despite all these differences, the works still felt connected. That contrast—between time periods, styles, and cultures—really stood out to me and made the ICA my favorite.

5. How did you approach creating your artwork(s)?

When it came to creating my own artwork after the museum visits, I tried to push myself out of my comfort zone, inspired by the boldness and experimentation I saw at the ICA. Many of the works challenged traditional ideas of composition, color, and meaning, so I wanted to reflect some of that creativity in my own pieces. I approached my project by intentionally trying something different from what I normally do—whether in color choices, layout, or concept. The variety of styles I saw encouraged me to explore new directions and let myself take risks artistically. In a way, the museum broadened my sense of what is possible, and I allowed that to guide my artistic decisions.

#MOCA

#LOWE museum

2D ART || Collage

Painting KUOW by Jacob Lawrence

2D ART || Midterm

Artist statement:

1. How did you approach your project?

I approached my project by first thinking about how I wanted the colors to interact with each other. I started by reviewing color theory and trying out a few color combinations to see which ones felt most balanced and visually appealing. I also paid attention to how the placement of each color could create movement and unity in the composition. Once I had my color palette, I experimented with different arrangements and made sure that no single color overpowered the others.

2. Why did you choose those specific colors?

I chose colors that I thought would stand out and create strong contrast with each other. I wanted the composition to feel bold and vibrant, so I focused on using bright, saturated tones that would catch the viewer’s attention and make the design feel energetic.

3. What preliminary work did you do to work out a successful idea?

Before starting the final piece, I made small color tests to see how the paints would look once dry and next to each other. I also created rough sketches and mini mock-ups to explore different layouts and proportions of color. This helped me figure out the most balanced way to distribute the colors and decide which one should be more dominant or subtle.

4. How do you feel about the outcome of your design?

I feel proud of how the design turned out. Even though it took a lot of adjusting and testing to get the colors right, I think the final result is visually striking and balanced. The colors complement each other well and the overall composition feels complete. There are small things I might improve next time, but I’m happy with how it represents my understanding of color interaction.

5. How did your understanding of the Principles of Art play a role in helping you develop this idea?

My understanding of the Principles of Art—especially balance, contrast, and harmony—helped me a lot throughout this project. I thought carefully about how to distribute color evenly so that one area didn’t dominate too much. I also used contrast to create visual interest and harmony to make sure all the colors worked together as one unified design. Thinking about these principles guided my choices and made the final piece feel intentional.