Grand Canyon

I apologize for not painting very much this week. HOWEVER, the BEST IS YET TO COME. I'm spending the next week backpacking through the Grand Canyon with my roommate Lauren and a team of students. I'm planning on doing some sketches (which may turn into watercolors). I will also be taking photos. I cannot tell you how excited I am for this opportunity. I feel like class on Wednesday helped to prep me for this adventure.

Graphing Paper

These are just a few more quick gestural pieces created on the same graphing paper which I wrote my letter on. I am just playing with color, brush stroke, and application of paint.

Liz Lomax

In Storyboarding yesterday, I was introduced to Liz Lomax, a three dimensional illustrator. You should check her out. She's amazing...

Watch the video entitled "The Making of Noel Gallagher".

Something Old...

Nate inspired this post... I currently have a piece in the 1920's gallery, as well. Sooo....It, "Restored", was created through applying a watercolor glaze to stoneware. I would like to try this again sometime soon. My heart, world view, ideas, and fears went into this piece. It was a massive experiment that turned out quite well. It touches on one of my concepts of art: art that brings restoration and healing through the process. I can go into further detail on the explanation of my piece later...but for now, HERE IT IS.

Demonstration Ideas

I've listed a few items that I would like to see demonstrated in class.

1. A portrait --I would like to see how you describe the face through brushstrokes (specifically the eyes)

2. Glass or a reflective surface

3. Water (how to keep it from appearing flat)

I will probably add to this list. These are just a few things that came to mind. The portrait/eyes are the most important to me.

I am for art...

I am for art that brings restoration and healing through the process.

Many times writing helps me to process and further expand upon my thoughts. The past year has entirely revolutionized my life. I have heard God speak to me and seen Him work in many ways. In result, I am not the same person. I have been praying about what my dreams are...and how God wants to use them. Slowly, He is filling me with new vision and unexpected passion. A new dream placed upon my heart is to use art to bring healing to others. Art is a way in which one can express himself. Sometimes there are no words and art bridges the gap. It empowers those that may feel weak in other areas. It helps some to come to terms with heartaches in their lives and move forward. Art, creativity, and inspiration bring new life. I know. I have seen it turn my own upside down.

This post is simply a note about my questions and the promises I am receiving. The watercolor ended up looking something like a tree. I am overly excited about how it turned out, yet I know that it expresses that which I am trying to convey. Next time, I may limit my palette more.

Envelopes: The Carrier

When we first started discussing evocative objects, handwritten letters came to my mind. I wasn't quite sure how to portray this through painting. Since middle school, I have kept every single note I have received. Letters show me that people truly care enough to think of me and write to me. I cannot put exactly what I'm thinking into words. The point being, as I was thinking about alternative surfaces, envelopes came to mind. They are what bring the precious letters to me...so why shouldn't they too be celebrated with color?

I Am For Art That....

In the thought of Claes Oldenburg, I have compiled a list of elements that I love to find in art. So...I am for art that....

1. Brings restoration and healing through the process
2. Expresses man's soul
3. One has to struggle with in order to find answers
4. Evokes laughter
5. Makes time stand still
6. Speaks in another language
7. Expresses that which words cannot
8. Brings revelation and truth
9. Inspires one to live differently
10. Changes lives and inspires hearts
11. Empowers the weak and Shocks the strong


I am slowly gathering my thoughts on this subject. I feel like many of my statements are still surface level. Number 11 is truly my passion that is slowly developing...

Calendar Pages

For this process, I used watercolor to enhance pages out of a calendar. The surface was very waxy, so in some areas the paint pooled. The paint seemed to adhere better to the areas with less pigment.

This is my first painting study on an alternative surface. I think that this was fairly successful. Next time, I hope to push it a little further.

Mark

This painting is of my little brother, Mark. I probably should say my younger brother...as he is significantly taller than me. This painting isn't a perfect representation of him, but it holds his essence. I tried to use different direct techniques with this painting. I thought more about leaving white areas.

Dad

Ha! I think I finally figured out how to change the levels in my cheap (free) photo editing software. This is just a study of a portrait of my dad. I owe this man so much. He has sacrificed so much for my life and future.

I would like to attempt this painting again with new techniques. Overall I think it is a good study. Some of the proportions of his facial features are a little off, so that needs to be improved as well.

Memories

It is amazing how a photograph can transport you back in time. This a small piece of an image I took in Togo. How I miss it. By simply looking at this picture, I mentally travel back to a small village where I met some of the most grateful and joyful people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

I know that I said that I want to do a study on portraiture. I do-- but just not today. I feel like I'm having a bit of an off painting day. My attempt at portraiture today was shameful. So instead I decided to paint from life. There is something richer about the experience. I'm not very excited about this painting, but I think that it served as a good warm up for the day.

Life has been crazy lately...so I haven't had time to post until now. Here is a painting I actually completed for storyboarding in Watercolor. The colors still are not as rich in the picture as they are in the original image. I do not have photo shop, so it is difficult to adjust the levels correctly.