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“Place” artwork

“Place” post-crit

This project was very interesting and enjoyable to create. The responses for my trio of mental "places" was generally very positive, and constructive as well. The main feedback was that the collaged elements were handled in a good way, that each place a specific feeling that struck the viewer, and that the use of both handwritten and printed elements added a nice touch. There were no real weaknesses pointed out in the critique, but there was some questions as to what each place/feeling was. So I could possibly try and push those themes even further, in order to emphasize them in a more impactful way.

The only real suggestion that stuck in my memory, was that these places could represent a progression through life. That is my own life, the different places that that i've been mentally, as I grow and mature as a person. I found that idea a really intriguing one, and one that I could see being executed in an exciting way. The idea to make the piece a longer series would definitely be worth giving a try.

I learned/was reintroduced to the fact that people can go through such extreme feelings and emotions, to the extent that it feels like a place that you are trying to escape. Everyone has had struggles in some way or another, and making artwork about these mental states really helps to journey into these spaces and explore them from the outside looking in.

I could absolutely see myself continuing this type of artwork. There are so many different and distinct places that a person can be mentally, one could make any number of pieces to represent this. And a series could be made that could somehow showcase all of these places. I think it would be fun and interesting to see how many different places I could create, because they truly all would be unique. And in doing so I could further explore the feeling and emotions that are behind all of these places, through artistic means.

“Place” artist statement

This piece is a trio of mental "places" that I have been in. places that one one can dwell for a short time, or struggle to remove oneself for a long period. These pieces aim to show what it feels like, if not just a taste of the feeling itself. It is so hard to truly create a mental landscape using 2D media, but through the use of color, drawings, and text (both found and handwritten), one can attempt to live in these spaces as an outside viewer.

My aim with the three pieces was to depict a single space for each. The mat-board frame came first, I selected each "place" based on the color or hue of the cardboard frame. There were two lighter tone frames, and one with a slightly darker more greenish background. Once the frame was chosen, I worked to find a background that would fit the theme of each mental place. Using my own drawings and artwork I created a background space for the other collaged elements to sit in front of. The collaging process was the most engaging for me, because I was able to let my mind wander while also having a theme in mind. It was so rewarding and reveling to find an image, or drawing, or word that really spoke to the theme I was working with. My ideas just kept growing and getting more interesting, as I found words and whole phrases that would connect with my ideas. I used my own drawings, and some written pieces of poetry, as well as magazine findings to create these "places", and make them feel layered and complicated. Finally Once the collaged elements felt balanced enough, I went overtop of those elements with oil pastel. I made sure to pick a color scheme that matched the energy of the particular piece, so at most there are only two colors on each work.

This piece was very interesting and eye opening in many ways. It helped me to explore my own feelings through a creative process, and also reminded me just how complicated we all are. We all have a million thoughts and feelings bouncing around in our minds, and we all see the world in such different ways. People are truly complicated, unique, and amazing creatures.

“Place” proposal

For the Place project I have decided to create a series of works highlighting different places that I have been mentally. These works will be mixed media, collage, with chromatic media and pencil to sketch out the overall layout beforehand. I want to create works that highlight different places that my mind has been. places of fear and anxiety, or happiness and security, or of anger and frustration. Using color and drawings, as well as collaged elements, and written elements I will create individual mental "places". Each place I hope to convey certain feelings and emotions that come with that space, I do not wish to spell out what each place is, instead hoping that classmates will be able to come to some conclusions that will spark conversation during the critique.

This project will highlight just how changeable the human mind can be, and the all of the various "places" a mind can go. We go through different places in our mind almost daily, and I think its important and worth exploring these places in more detail. In this series I want to give the viewer a window into what it feels like to inhabit one of these mental places, through use of imagery and written content I hope to convey these places and make them interesting and intriguing to observe.

“Place” project ideas

1. Create a written poem about all of the places that I call home. They could be about the house I live in currently, my grandparents home, the cottage we visited regularly as a kid, or even my best friends house in Ypsilanti. The poems would be free flowing, emotional, and about how I feel when I am there in those places. I could describe parts of them, my favorite parts, the parts that make each place unique and stay in my mind. I could also make the poems each there own separate peice, print them out and display them all together as a collection. The writing could also be acomponied by either a drawn element, showing the place, or a found object that came from this place. 2. Make a mixed media work about my favorite place to walk Gallup park. I could take photos, and make a digital collage that could include drawings, writings, and descriptions of why I love this place. I could show the various trails and walkways, the boat livery, the parking lots, the play structures. There are so many parts of Gallup park to show off and highlight. The wildlife could be displayed, the various diverse families that you see attending the park, the diversity of food being cooked during the summertime. This place is great for people watching so maybe using diversity, and animal life, as well as the nature to create a digital collage. 3. Make drawings of different mental “places” that I go to. Everyone’s mood is always changing and shifting from day to day, so I could make a few works depicting myself being in a place of happiness, a place of anxiety, or place of fear. I could show through color, drawing style, or written elements how each of these places feel to be in. And this would highlight how changeable moods are, as well as the many places the mind can be in. I imagine a little series of works, ranging from content, happy, scared, sad, anxious, to joyful, each one having multiple drawn and written elements to show the place I was in for that time period.

“Identity” artwork

“Identity” post-crit

The critique for my identity project was very helpful and uplfiting. The majority of responses where absolutely glowing with postive feedback on my color choices, descions on mixed media and overall composition of the painting. The photos were inteiguing, people asked about who the people where, what they meant to me, why they had been placed in those positions. The main constructive feedback recived was maybe to make another choice in terms of the little houses in the left hand bottom corner of the composition. Some fellow students felt that they seemed a little distnaced from the rest of the work color wise, and possibly could be replaced with other images that could give a greater sense of unity to the peice. Other than that, the responses were very supportive and helpful. I would say that I adore making mixed media collages and I could very easily see making more of these, or turning this theme into a series. The idea of using physical photographs as a starting point, placing them down intentionally and then creating a world around them, is very enjoyable and rewarding.

“Identity” artist statement

My Identity has always been extremely shaped and positively affected by family. Family surrounds me, feeds me, keeps me safe, makes me appreciate the little things, gives me perspective, offers love and attention when needed, and support when things go wrong. This project was very difficult in the brainstorming phase to really grasp an idea that felt like it was tied to me as a person completely. But when my thoughts turned to what has made me, shaped me as a person in this world, it was apparent immediately that I could make a work about my family. I chose a mixed media approach that felt like little pieces of me mixed in certain very special family figures. beginning with three photographs, mom and dad, my brother, and grandfather who is now gone from this world. I was able to create a composition that grew roots when I placed the photos in a manner that made sense to me. Then the surreal world grew around the photos like a dream coming to me, weaving in and out of reality. I used various collaging methods, cut drawings, used acrylics, and old creations to give the piece a sense of wonder and excitement. The fortunes that line the bottom right corner, as well as line the top right hand corner of the larger castle serve as affirmations. I think of only love and happiness when I think of my family, I have truly been blessed to have such people influence me. And I think this piece truly shows how I feel about my family, as well as reveals me as a creator and artist.

“Identity” proposal

For my Identity project, I have decided to create a mixed media artwork about family. I will use a wooden board, that will include photos along with painted elements. Firstly the “canvas” will be made of wood because wood is strong and reliable, like my family. I have chosen three photographs, one of them showing my parents, another showing my only brother, and the third a photo of my deacesed grandfather. Family means so much to me, it is the backbone of my exsitence, and the spirit that I carry with me reflects the views and ideals instilled in me from a young age. I first will place the photos down using glue, to give the composition a starting point. Next I will sketch out with graphite pencil a surreal world that includes the feelings of wonder, love, creativity, mystery, and complexity that makes me think of my family members. The surrounding painted elements will somewhat relate to the photos I have chosen, but mainly the photos are just an element that will add to the overall feel of the peice once it is finished. I have chosen to paint in images of nature, and of homes, and some castle like structures. Nature because that symbolizes the wonder that my parents instilled in me, pushing me to question and to see the good in all natural things. Houses because my family is my home, I feel most myself when I am around these special people, I am truly home in their company. And finally the castle for me is a structure of honor, and of security, and makes me think of all the fantasy novels, movies, and stories that were shared with me at a young age, allowing me to use my imagination to such a full extent.

“Identity” research journal

https://mymodernmet.com/paintings-merged-with-photographs/ (Links to an external site.)

Aliza Razell

Razell uses a mixed media technique to combine photography and hand drawn elements in a collage. The artist has used as photograph, depicting the human form in black and white setting, and then looks to have made a drawing over top of the photo, using a digital process. I chose this work because I think it reflects a way that I could use photography and handmade elements together to make an engaging and moving composition. This mixed media approach is a nice way to get a feeling across, and show how different media can work together in creative and interesting ways.

https://theartofeducation.edu/2019/01/28/10-mixed-media-artists-to-inspire-you-and-your-students/ (Links to an external site.)

Njideka Akunyili Crosby

Crosby uses collage in her work very well, and creates compelling works of art that are about her identity as a Nigerian woman, as well as being a visual artist. She uses a combination of photography and acrylic painting in her works, on most occasions. I chose this artist and peice specifically because its a nice example of intergrating different media very seamlessly together. This process of placing down photos and creating a painting around that image, making it sit in the space of the composition seems very intriguing. I’d like to attempt this sort of process, and Crosby is a great example of an artist executing this style with great success.

https://smartartbox.com/blogs/smart-art-blog/7-famous-artists-who-are-known-for-mixed-media-paintings (Links to an external site.)

Nikki Farquharsen

This English born artist is another good example of mixed media artworks involving a hand drawn element and photography. In this peice the artist incorporates a black and white photo with bold and colorful drawings around the image. The peice is engaging and eye catching, and I could definitely see myself using this process in my project. I think this is a good example of using contrast of both color and media to emphasize a certain feeling, and to give the viewer many things to look at and question within the work.

“Language” artwork

“Language” post-crit response

I received a number of compliments as well as constructive criticism for my peice. I found that a lot of people enjoyed the overall idea of my project, and the ways that it was executed. I think the way I was able to show just how important visual communication is, by showing the limitations of language in isolation really worked out. I think the only real change that I could make to this finished drawing would be to emphasize shadow and darkness more so that I have. The written description does call for a lot of shadow and think it would make my drawing feel even more related to the original. I think the main suggestion was to possibly think about the choice of clothing, and how it related to the original work. As well as use of more shadow and darkening of certain areas of my composition. I think I would up the emphasis on shadow if I where to rework this project. I think by completing this project I have gained an understanding of how language can be a great tool, but also a limited one at the same time. The visual language of life is so so important to the way that we understand things fully. And the ability to have a deeper understanding with other people in terms of creating artworks that resonate in ways that you wish them to. In the future I could see this becoming a whole series of drawings based on descriptions. I think it’s a strong concept and could be very fun and interesting to see a lot of these all in a show or gallery setting. With a written description that I would write, explaining the meaning and thought process involved in making these drawings.

“Language” artist statement

For my language project I have recreated a work of art by George Seurat without any visual aid. I only used a description of the peice itself, and took what I could from the language provided to make a work of my own. I have created this peice using a few chosen media, chromatic media that will allow me to recreate the work in a more interesting way than if it was only a black and white representation. I have chosen to recreate a work that is described as a “colorful and lively” peice, so I have done my best to use the media I have chosen to make a recreation of the language and description I have found. Using graphite pencil to sketch out an idea of what I believe the composition might look like. Then I filled out my drawing with color, I chose to work with oil pastel and colored pencil. This gave my recreation a soft and playful look, this being a very playful and experimental project. I hoped to create this work based on the description, and when finished place my drawing next to the original itself, along with the text that I followed. This will give the veiwer a good idea of how language is received and understood differently by every person on this earth. People understand and take different meanings from language, as well as envision things in the mind in such unique and interesting ways. This project will show just how important visuals are to life, and when you have them taken away leaving only the written word, people will understand and receive language in so many different ways. Finally this work is a true lesson in just how important visuals are to communication. Visual communication is 99% of what humans understand and react to on a daily basis. Without visual knowledge and understanding language and the written word can only take one so far. This piece is a great way of seeing just how challenging it would be to live in a world with no visual references. I believe that the art I have made does reflect the original work, but as well could never truly duplicate the original without seeing the painting as I was drawing.

“Language” proposal

For my language project I will be recreating a work of art, without any visual aid. I will only use a description of the piece itself, and take what I can from the language provided to make a work of my own. I will create this piece using a few chosen media, chromatic media that will allow me to recreate the work in a more interesting way than if it was only a black and white representation. I have chosen to recreate a work that is described as a “colorful and lively” piece, so I will do my best to use the media I have chosen to make a recreation of the language and description I have found. I will be using graphite pencil to sketch out an idea of what I believe the composition might look like. Then filling out my drawing with color, I have chosen to work with oil pastel and colored pencil. This will give my recreation a soft and playful look, this being a very playful and experimental project. I hope to create this work based on the description, and when it is finished place my drawing next to the original itself, along with the text that I followed. This will give the viewer a good idea of how language is received and understood differently by every person on this earth. People understand and take different meanings from language, as well as envision things in the mind in such unique and interesting ways. This project will show just how important visuals are to life, and when you have them taken away leaving only the written word, people will understand and receive language in so many different ways.

“Language” research journal

1. Artists: "Drawfee"

These three YouTubers, designers and artists make work that is silly and entertaining. In this example of the trio's work, one of them takes a random celebrities name from the internet, the next describes the way they look to the third artist, who has to try and recreate the way they look base solely on the description given. I think this is a good example of a way that language is perceived differently by each human being, and how the way something is described and the actual physical looks of a person/place/thing can be very different. This was an example I used because it applies to my idea of reading a description of an artwork and trying to recreate it as best I can, with the language and information given to me, without ever seeing the original work until after completing my own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjsYGcCJ0WI (Links to an external site.)

2. BuzzFeed

This is yet another Youtube video featuring artists making work purely based on description. In this video created by the channel "BuzzFeedVideo", 2 digital artists go head to head to create drawings of characters based only on how the other artist has described them. The artists go into the session without any knowledge of who they might be asked to draw, and must rely on their artistic skills as well as their ability to understand and apply the language being used to describe the video game or comic book character assigned to them. I found this video helpful, because it gave me an idea of just how difficult it would be to accurately depict a person or object purely from description alone. I think this was a fun and interesting way of using language to create artwork, giving the mind a challenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omZIo8v4WZI (Links to an external site.)

3. Scouts

This example I found very interesting and helpful, in terms of how I should be thinking about the drawings that i'm making. This website is a place that helps students with creative ideas for making artwork that is out of the box, interesting, and possibly exploring new ideas. The website gives a nice list of the ways in which one would go about creating a work based only on description, and what the artist should be focused on. The website also gives a set of questions for the artist to think about, in order to make the depiction more accurate or full. When drawing a person, the website suggest asking yourself these questions while making the drawing.

What are they wearing?

What size are they (tall, short, large, thin)?

What color is their skin?

Do they have a gender?

How old are they?

https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/draw-the-description/ (Links to an external site.)

“Language” project ideas

1. "Story Blending"

Take various sentences from some of my favorite stories, from books around my house. Rearrange the sentences to create a new story that reads almost like a spoken word poem. I can then type up everything that I have found and make it into pages that can be printed out into a physical copy. This would show that themes and ideas within written language can be taken and reshaped to create an infinite number of stories and ideas. Also it would be a very creative way of seeing how language and communication can be put together and rearranged to create a new way of thinking about the original story, drawing comparisons and similarities from the original writing.

2. "impactful words"

Make a collage using magazines, books, flyers, ads, anything with written words to create an engaging image. Focus on background color, text color, text size, and overall text design to create an image of a person, or of a natural form from language. This would show how language could be repurposed to create something totally original and different. The collage could even be inspired by the kind of wording used to create them, for instance a collage that uses negative or angry language could turn into a depiction of a weapon or fire. And happy or joyful language could be made to depict a butterfly or the rising sun.

3. "Descriptive drawing"

Make a set of drawings based on a description of a piece of art. I would only be allowed to read the description, and make a drawing based off the language used to communicate what the piece looks like. I could then do this several times and make a mini series of these "impressions", showing how people understand language differently and emphasize certain components based on how they take in language and communication. I could then set my drawings next to an image of the actual art piece, and look for comparisons and differences, to see what parts of the language got through to me, and what was lost in translation.

“Time” project artwork

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