Gracie LaFay

[emphelann]

Final Project

For my final project, I combined cubism, abstract expressionism, and surrealism. In the top half of my project, I used the geometric shapes and fragmentation of cubism. I wanted to create a stained-glass window effect with this aspect of the background with the thick black outline contrasting against the bright colors of the shapes.

In the bottom half of my background, I used the random abstract qualities of abstract expressionism. I wanted to layer materials, lines, and marks to contrast against the more organized rigid manner of the cubism half of the background. I wanted to create a fun, vibrant, creative background with a lot of lines and shapes along with demonstrating contrast between two different movements.

For the central focus of my project, I created a character inspired by the surrealism movement. Using scraps from magazine pages that I have used from prior collages, I created the character, Bonnie. I used a variety of items to create a weird, unique, and imaginary character rooted in the characteristics of the surrealism movement.  I used the phrase “End of the Road” to represent the end of the semester. I also thought this phrase was especially fitting as it is the end of my final semester of undergrad! Thank you for a great semester, this class was so much fun!

[gracielafay]

I love how you incorporated Bonas into this! I also love all the elements you included as well, it was so fun to look at and see something new every time! Such a beautiful piece, amazing job!

[brookebobbey]

FINAL ASSIGNMENT:

For my final project, I created a piece that included three art movements: abstract expressionism, surrealism, and formal elements. 

I created my background using two art movements: formal elements and abstract expressionism. To begin, I created a warm-colored ombre background. Then, I used various shades of cool colors to create abstract lines on top. The contrast between the warm and cool colors ended up being very appealing to look at. 

The last art movement I incorporated into my work was surrealism. For this part of my project, I collaged a character using magazine cutouts. My character's name is Cookie Man, and he likes to watch sunsets, swim, and collect sneakers. 

[gracielafay]

I love the colors and shapes you used in this piece!!! I like how you incorporated a cookie man too! So creative and fun to look at! Amazing job!

[allisonzhang]

For my final project, I incorporated three different themes: Earth Art, Feminism, and NYC 1980s.

In relation to the Earth Art theme, I used dandelions as brushes to craft a gradient background. I dripped paint onto my canvas and mixed colors together using the dandelions. As a result of the pressure, the dandelions would crumple, break, and essentially lose their initial integrity. Because of this structural weakness, I had to pick several dandelions to curate the background. The destruction of something beautiful is symbolic of the Feminism theme I supplemented to my piece.

For Feminism, I used an advertisement for “Your Best Winter Skin”, a guide in my magazine that underscored the societal expectation for a woman’s skin to be flawless. Surrounding and on the advertisement, I added empowering phrases, such as “I’m a fighter” and “The painful truth proves she’s one to watch”. I consider these collaged words to be empowering and challenge the status quo regarding the role of women.

At the bottom of my piece, I added my third and final theme, NYC 1980s with a focus on Keith Haring style drawings. From left to right, the figurines grow in size, with thought bubbles that coincidentally increase in confidence. Across the chest of each of these figures is the word “HER”, which is representative of all women and female-identifying individuals. This symbolizes a young girl growing up and gradually finding her voice to challenge the societal standards she is subjected to, observable through the blue lines that fade in strength and closeness to her. The same blue lines can be found outlining the collage.

[gracielafay]

I really love how you incorporated Keith Haring's art style. He is one of my favorite artists and I love how his style was shown in your piece. I also love the colors, amazing job on this!!!

[gracielafay]

My first art movement is Formal Elements. I chose to use the yellow and orange as the warm colors snd the green and blue as cool colors. I did them going in opposite directions to show contrast. They worked well together in the piece, and the warmness of the parrots adds to it as well.

My second art movement is Finding Your Art Voice. This can be seen in the glitter in the paint. I put the glitter over the paint to use it as a new material. I love glitter and I always have sparkly nails, or something else as well. I really like the shimmer it added to the piece.

Finally, is Abstract Expressionism. None of these magazine clippings go together. They work well as a piece and I like how they interact with one another as well. It's definitely not perfect, which goes with Abstract Expressionism.

[gracielafay]

My concept was people fighting to find their voice in the world. The image shows people stepping over each other and seemingly fighting to to get in the spotlight. I put the words "get out there" because people are always telling each other to get out there and voice their opinions, but seem to get shot down sometimes when they do so. This can especially be true in the digital age, since everyone has a platform to speak their minds, which also opens up room for more criticism on ones views. Overall, my concept was showing that everyone has something to say, and a way to say it because of the digital age.

[gracielafay]

So sorry this is so late and not chalk!!! I personally love Keith Haring and I have his art everywhere in my room. This is directly inspired from his work, and his love ones. I wanted to make it more colorful, since his usually has a black outline around his figures. I love how Keith incorporates movement into his pieces by adding the lines, so I tried my best to incorporate that as well.

[gracielafay]

for my background i made contrasting colors, and tried to use opposing dead flower colors! i used a white one in the middle to show where the colors change as well.

[gracielafay]

I chose the phrases "time traveling" and "splash" because they're obviously not terms you would see with deodorant or any beauty advertisement. It could be interpreted as making a "splash" nowadays because it's a very good and new product. "Time traveling" could be perceived as being new, since these kinds of products weren't around as much back in the day as well. For my background I chose flowers, because they're perceived as feminine, such as this deodorant.

[gracielafay]

[gracielafay]

[gracielafay]

Step 1: For my midterm you told me to go bolder, which i think i did here! I made sure there was no white space, making it bolder than before.

Step 2: I used the word grow/growing, and I used plants as the product since it was a gardening magazine!

Attendance Prompt:

[gracielafay]

[gracielafay]

[gracielafay]

[gracielafay]

TikTok - Make Your Day

For my backgrounds I used this coloring pencil background idea from TikTok! I think I did a better job on the second one- so I used that as my background!

[gracielafay]

Hello! My name is Gracie LaFay! I am from Rochester (Fairport specifically) New York. I am a Senior at St. Bonaventure, majoring in Educational Studies. My goal is to be a Recreation Supervisor. In the picture, that is my dog Oreo, I also have another dog named Roxie. I currently work at The Other Place (The OP) as a DJ there on the weekends. In my free time, I enjoy photography and going to different places with my friends, such as Allegany State Park, Buffalo, and even Jamestown, to go to Wegmans. My favorite colors are green, pink, and blue! I also get super fun nails all the time, I love sharing them (if anyone ever wants to see pictures)!

I am excited to learn in this class and have heard great things about it!