Digital Practice.

A research blog for my studio practice.

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Trying to get inside his head. 

[24hoursinthelifeofawoman]

When I am in my painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing.

Jackson Pollock

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Sometimes you need to let your hand guide you. 

[acrylicalchemy]

Michael Carini | Beautiful Accidents

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Accidents = Great Art (personal opinion)

[itscolossal]

WATCH: The Physics of Kung Fu Brought to Life Through Motion Capture Visualizations [VIDEO]

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Mesmerizing. o.O

[art21]

“Structure is a preoccupation of mine. I’m always looking for something that will hold the image into place. I want to create an image that has aesthetic and conceptual power.” —Arturo Herrera

Arturo Herrera is our current 100 Artists featured artist. Seen here is the artist at his New York City studio in 2004 developing images using collage. “There is potential for abstraction to become a viable language of visual communication,” says the artist in his 2005 segment for Art21. “The same thing with collage. We need to explore what else they could do. The longer you work a thing the more possibilities you have of creating something.”

WATCH: Arturo Herrera in Play [available in the U.S. only] | Additional videos

IMAGES (all excluding bottom two): Arturo Herrera in his New York studio, 2004. Production stills from the Art in the Twenty-First Century Season 3 episode, Play, 2005. © Art21, Inc. 2005.

IMAGES (bottom two): Arturo Herrera, Keep in Touch (from set #4), detail, 2004. Installation view at Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea, 2005. Production stills from the Art in the Twenty-First Century Season 3 episode, Play, 2005. Artwork courtesy Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York. Production still © Art21, Inc. 2005.

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

One of the artists that I chose to include as contextual for my assessment presentation is Arturo Herrera. After reading (and watching) a few interviews [1] [2] with the artist I found his approach to working to be very similar to mine. Everything about it is very personal and random. Relying on chance rather then composition. Leaving space for the viewers own perspective and not trying to influence or control it in any way. I loved the way he used juxtapositions and paradoxes such as ‘silent cacophony’ to describe his work. 

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

The Benefits of Art Therapy:

Self-discovery. At its most successful, art therapy triggers an emotional catharsis (a sense of relief and wellbeing through the recognition and acknowledgement of subconscious feelings).

Personal fulfillment. The creation of a tangible reward can build confidence and nurture feelings of self-worth. Personal fulfillment comes from both the creative and the analytical components of the process.

Empowerment. Art therapy can help individuals visually express emotions and fears that they were never able to articulate through conventional means, and give them some sense of control over these feelings.

Relaxation and stress relief. Chronic stress can be harmful to both mind and body. It can weaken and damage the immune system, cause insomnia and depression, and trigger a host of circulatory problems (e.g., high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and cardiac arrhythmia). When used alone or in combination with other relaxation techniques such as guided imagery, art therapy can be a potent stress reliever.

Symptom relief and physical rehabilitation. Art therapy can also help individuals cope with pain and promote physiological healing by identifying and working through anger and resentment issues and other emotional stresses.

Source: Art Therapy - Applications, Benefits - Mental, Feelings, Visual, and Artwork - JRank Articles

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Art therapy, sometimes called expressive art or art psychology, encourages self-discovery and emotional growth. It is a two-part process, involving both the creation of art and the discovery of its meaning.

Paula Ford-Martin

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

How Art Changes Consciousness

You might be surprised at what the research says about how Art changes Consciousness and the functioning of the Brain.

Some more context for my assessment presentation. How looking at and making art influences the brain. Really fascinating. 

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

The Gifs of Therapy Disclaimer: This is a humorous blog about what it's like to be an art therapist....

The life of an art therapist. (This could be me in the future. :D) Since I don’t have enough time to read it in more depth right now because I have to work on my assessment presentation, I’m going to leave it here on my blog for easier future access. 

[your-intherapy]

Where words fail, art touches hearts

Art therapy helps people express the otherwise inexpressible

When someone you love dies, the pain of that loss can be devastating. The loneliness, the sorrow, the anger, the lost dreams for what might have been — all combine in one’s grief.

Expressing those feelings or putting them into words may feel overwhelming. When asked, “How are you doing?” the perfunctory “fine” is often one’s quick reply.

Through art therapy, many individuals have found an avenue to express the range of emotions surrounding loss that words cannot touch. (…)

Read the full article here. @reporterherald.com

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

I’m doing some research about art therapy for my 1st year assessment presentation in Art & Design and came across this article which I found interesting.

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Game

The 5th aspect we examined in our Digital Practices in Contemporary Art this year was ‘Games’. We were split into 3 groups (yeah, again) and each of us were given as different location to design a game around. Our group was given a train. There are two train stations in Worcester: Worcester Foregate Street and Worcester Shrub Hill Station. We chose to work with the first one since it was located in the center and the proximity between us and it was much smaller. At this stage we couldn’t really plan a grand train journey, because we had to consider details such as ticket rates and the fact that we were all 1st year university students, who were just starting to make a living for themselves. So we chose the cheapest train journey possible which began at Worcester Foregate Street and arrived at Droitwich Spa, it cost us exactly £3 with a return ticket.

Let me give you some more details about the design of the game now. This was a collective idea, to which all of us contributed in a way. It follows the structure of a treasure hunt, however we did not want to simply go looking for objects. We went looking for objects to draw. But all of the ‘objects’ had to exist together on a single page. The game was supposed to begin at the Garage and then head to the train station. I had designed clues to guide us throughout our journey, which would’ve been sent online by us to the other participants.

(You can find the first set of clues here.)

Once they were at the station, we would’ve start sending them the clues one by one in order to leave them with enough time to find their own interpretations of our instructions. After finishing with the 3 drawings set out for this location we would’ve sent them the clue which notified it was time to board the train.

(You can find the second set of clues here.)

Whilst on the train they would have as much as 10 minutes to draw 3 more interpretations. That’s how much time on a train you get when you choose the cheapest train journey. Once we came close to Droitwich Spa they would’ve gotten a clue urging them to get off the train.

(You can find the third set of clues here.)

There they would get their last 3 instructions and the game would come to an end.

The point of this whole ‘pointless’ as some people might think journey, was to create fast site responsive sketches guided by vague instructions, so that in the end we can look at the different outcomes of the same journey. We find that quite interesting.

My collaborators:

Hanne

Amy

Katt

[itscolossal]

A Reclaimed Wood Installation Sourced From the San Francisco Dump by Barbara Holmes

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Clue Set #3: Droitwich Spa

#9 Droitwich Spa; It is high time you woke your friend for our journey is coming to end. Time flies when spent in creation, we have reached our destination.

#10 something from a higher perspective; Our positioning needs some repairs, seems like we have to go up the stairs. Because for our next objective, you get to draw something from a higher perspective.

#11 something that does not belong; It's time you came round and put your feet back on the ground. Some of us have felt so all along, draw something that does not belong.

#12 something that inspires you; We don't have much left to show. You are almost free to go. The last one is an enemy of procrastination, draw something that fills you with inspiration.

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Clue Set #2: The Train

#5 time to board the train; We've reached this point somehow where you must be wondering "what now"? Well, you are obviously not catching a plane, however it is time to board the train.

#6 something someone's wearing; First things first, let's find a seat (unless you enjoy standing on your feet) Shall it be a coat, a shoe or just an earring, draw something someone is wearing.

#7 something you can hear; Now that you are on the train, you will have to use your brain. This one should be loud and clear, start drawing something you can hear.

#8 something related to movement; You already know the drill, after all we've been spinning round as if we're a vinyl. Some of you may call this an improvement, draw something that relates to movement.

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Clue Set #1: Worcester Foregate Street

#1 train station; Go to a place where people wait, buy your ticket at the cheapest return rate. When you need to change your location you go to the...

#2 something repeated; Once you're there - look around explore the railway surround for each of you may have a different view of oneself draw something that repeats itself.

#3 something unexpected; In order for this game to succeed, to our next clue we must proceed. Set your mind to disconnected so you can find and draw something unexpected.

#4 something close to you; You know what's coming next, if not you'll find out in this text. Anyways, I'm already giving you a clue, draw something that is close to you.

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Making of ‘Memories of Paintings’ from Thomas Blanchard

[ohgoshjournal-blog]

Memories of Paintings from Thomas Blanchard

I find movement to be a very important part of the art I admire.