#studioprojectupdate

[nattie24]

Project #4-A Visual Update!

For our final project of the semester (can you believe its almost over?!), I have the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with one of my fellow classmates Brice (who I also shared the experience of Drawing I with last fall!). In our zine, which incorporates aspects of expression, space, and rhythm, we decided to explore and bring to visual life the objects and trinkets that bring us joy, are meaningful, and add vibrance, comfort, and happiness in our lives.

Being a project that is collaborative and shared between us (with a little help from USPS!), I look forward to the  opportunity this project does and will offer. By engaging through both art and the mail, I believe this project will not only inspire creativity and thoughtfulness, but also think it will allow new, unique conversations to be had through paper and pen, and enable beauty to come forth through both of our artistic visions, talents, and minds.

Above: Initial cover sketch!

Above: First few subjects/objects of inspiration

Above: USPS receipt!

[nattie24]

Studio Project #3- A Visual Update!: Part 2!

Continuing on with the experience of printmaking, I began to think of the paper and overall design that I wanted the print to be placed on. From this, my mind went right to what I enjoy drawing--ink pen flowers on paper. I then went to my sketchbook to find some of my drawings (pictured below) to use as a reference and experimentation as to what my print would look like with such a backdrop design. I drew up a sample of what the background could be and one that I could scan and replicate to make identical prints (pictured below)!

I also began thinking about size. Briefly experimenting with this as well, I decided that the 9″ X 12″ max. size would simply be too large, and opted instead for a smaller 9″ X 6″ piece instead. This coupled with the design I believe will add character and whimsical visual interest to the piece while placing the print center-stage and highlighting what I enjoy creating in the process.

I also decided to cut my print to fit the shape of the main subject--a choice that I believe will enhance the overall print and allow both it and the background print to shine together!

Above: Sketchbook drawings (inspiration!)

Above: 9″ X 6″ paper sketch for print to be placed on

Above: Lino print block and paper sketch!

Above: Lino block (newly cut!)

[nattie24]

Studio Project #3--A Visual Update!: Part 1

For this studio project, I am diving into the world of printmaking, particularly through the carving of linoleum blocks and the practice of lino-cutting. Aspects of line, value, and emphasis are believe are majorly in play during the design, creation, carving, and printing within this project, from knowing where to carve so the ink will fill and darken specific points of visual interest, to creating implied texture through the implementation of carved lines on the lino “canvas”.

Being my first experience with printmaking I am so excited to be learn about and having the opportunity to create and experiment with carving, soft linoleum, and, of course, ink!  I was inspired for my print through my love for flowers and floral prints, which was magnified through a magazine image (below) that I had found for a previous art activity. I knew I had to make it!

Although discussing in class that a printing press can perform the actions of lying down ink and pressing our carved images onto paper, I believe this project is an experience that not only teaches me about printmaking and the value of hand-crafted work, but also allows me to slow down and value art that, like this, has many steps, processes, and creative duration! I look forward to seeing how it turns out!

Above: Magazine image inspiration (as referenced above)

Above: Tracing of subject and tracing sheet (following imprint on lino block)

Above: competed print on Lino block

First 3 prints! (getting better over time :) )

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Above: A LITTLE something extra! (another print I made in class!)

[nattie24]

Studio Project #2: A Visual Update--Part 2!

I continued to refine my ideas and began constructing my zine! Page 1--accomplished! 

Above: In-depth zine sketch accompanied by initial research/sketch

Above: Close-up of in-depth sketch

Above: Page 1!

[just-a-strawman]

While I struggle to get some very basic exercises on the blog, here’s a sneak peak of my studio project that I definitely didn’t just start today.

...my house has a very posh sense of chaotic energy.

[colorcapacity]

For my studio project I have been designing and experimenting with different projected light compositions. I have also been studying James Turrell’s light projections in more detail in order to understand how to best create a piece in conversation with his work. I’ve decided that while a single projected light source is interesting using other smaller light sources as well gets me closer to the feeling of ambience I am searching for. I already feel like I have learned a lot through this experimentation process and can’t wait to see how my final result turns out. Attached are photos of my potential compositions and examples of the ambience they create.

[colorinbloom]

Studio Project Update

As I continue my research on Bridget Riley, my assigned artist, I have begun to narrow down which aspects of her work I want to enter into conversation with as I finalize my studio project. I know that her body of work is extremely complex and to try to reduce it into a particular set of themes would be unfair and disingenuous. However, personally, I see her as having two distinctive phases- her black and white op art and her more recent full-color paintings. For this project, my main inspiration is her color paintings. 

Her color paintings, made from 1980-present day, explore color as a sensation. Her process in making these pieces begins with a color palette, so I have decided to try to emulate the same process. I created three palettes- one based on the most common colors from my life color posts, one loosely based on Riley’s piece “february 6,” and one random, computer generated palette (all pictured above, in order). I went about choosing my colors in this way because of Riley’s insistence on giving her audience a “full experience” or “full sensation” of color. I know that I am biased towards colors I like when choosing which to use in my work, so I wanted to make sure that in creating this project I am branching out to include a fuller range of color.

With these colors and their relationships in mind, I then had to decide what form I would like my colors to take. When I look at Riley’s work, the feeling I get is reminiscent of when I’m working on a graphic design project and I’ve been looking at the words and symbols so long they stop looking like words. You know that feeling? (Fun fact: I googled what it’s called and apparently it’s called “semantic satiation.”) It’s this overwhelming, fuzzy, messy feeling. Combining this idea with Riley’s use of distinctive shape, I decided I wanted my focus to be on a repeating element of typography. After much deliberating, I decided on an ampersand (&).

Originally, I wanted to create a digital piece, but I’ve been loving painting lately so I decided I want to work in gouache. Here are the sketches I’ve been working with so far:

The next step is to begin blocking out how I want the colors to be patterned, and then begin painting. I’m feeling very good about this project and can’t wait to share the final product.