I couldn't decide which six were my best, so I posted eight. A couple of them are part of series so I felt as if they both needed to be included.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Final Critique Pieces
I couldn't decide which six were my best, so I posted eight. A couple of them are part of series so I felt as if they both needed to be included.
Further Development
I took the tree/root idea a little further. The new word is Change. Do with it what you will. I tried painting on tracing paper and watercolor paper this time. One of my trials with watercolor was much more spontaneous that the rest. I painted directly without any pen lines to guide my paintbrush. I really should change the composition soon.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New Direction
Originally, I created this design for a journal cover. I'm involved in a group called Bound for Freedom at Exit 59. The journal entry on this website, just briefly describes what this organization is about.
Yesterday, I pulled out the design that I created a couple months ago and brought it to life. The two pieces that I posted show the connection between a tree and its roots. The hidden roots provide life to the huge organism above ground. Without roots the tree would be non-existent (or dead). Even in the winter when the tree appears to be lifeless, the roots provide life. The roots are a promise of the hope of spring and the life of tomorrow.
I took pictures of my process; three different steps helped me to arrive at my final piece. The first piece was created on cardboard; the second was completed on a paper journal cover.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Restoration
Initially, when I was asked to write what my art is about, I didn't know how to answer. I still don't know that I thoroughly know how to reply, but I can share what is currently on my mind. As is alluded to by the title, my work is about restoration. It is about bringing healing and showing others their creative potential. Art has brought healing to my own life, and thus I desire to share it with others.
I ran from art for a long time. I lived under the shadow of not being good enough...and feared others judging me and thinking that my work was not good enough. I told myself that I could pursue something that was financially secure and practical, and then be "creative" on the side. But I never had time to create...and became more miserable by the semester. This went on for a year and a half. I was so lost, frustrated, and confused that I almost transferred. In fact, I had my entire schedule worked out so that all my courses would transfer at the end of the year. I prayed and seemed to hear nothing. Christmas break was mental struggle....but then something (someone) stopped me. I realized that I knew God had something for me at IWU the day I initially stepped onto campus during my senior year of high school. It just didn't seem like God...for me to walk away in defeat. By taking all of the courses which would transfer, I was closing every last door to IWU. I couldn't do it. So by the grace of God, I finally stopped running. I finally listened to those that had encouraged me to at least try--to those who had believed in my potential when I only saw imperfection. Two art courses miraculously opened my first week back in January. Within two weeks, I finally knew that I was where I was supposed to be. Slowly, oh so slowly, I started to realize that perfection should not be my only pursuit. But humility...and the desire to grow. I have learned more and struggled more.....and have become more alive than I ever have in my life. I am beginning to recognize who I truly was created to be and it is beautiful.
I want to help others experience the same thing. I can illustrate this in two ways.
1) To begin with, my thoughts quickly return to my nephew. He experiences true delight and freedom when he paints with me. I still cannot believe the transforming powers that a cheap set of watercolors have for him, even on a bad day for him as a result of his chemo. (He is doing a lot better by the way...he is probably in best shape he has been in since he was diagnosed...his hair is coming back :) ). Anyway, my point is.... there is power in creativity.... I have witnessed it again and again. There is healing in creation.
2) Art is so beautiful because it speaks in another language. When I think about teaching, I think about the students with which I will interact. Some children struggle in every academic area, yet when they reach art they excel. They get it.... and they know it. This is so powerful. I want to instill self-confidence in these students. I want them to see their potential... who knows if anyway else will point it out to them. In my practicum last semester, my supervising teacher explained the art show that she has at the end of the year showcasing outstanding student work. She told me that time and time again...other teachers and parents would come to her and comment on how surprised they were to see what they saw. These individuals could not believe that certain students were so talented...when they had originally appeared to be well maybe a bit "hopeless" in other areas.
I don't know if I am expressing exactly what I want to say....I just desire to use art as a tool. A tool for restoration...for hope, for healing, for re-defining who am I am...and for changing how I see the world.
I ran from art for a long time. I lived under the shadow of not being good enough...and feared others judging me and thinking that my work was not good enough. I told myself that I could pursue something that was financially secure and practical, and then be "creative" on the side. But I never had time to create...and became more miserable by the semester. This went on for a year and a half. I was so lost, frustrated, and confused that I almost transferred. In fact, I had my entire schedule worked out so that all my courses would transfer at the end of the year. I prayed and seemed to hear nothing. Christmas break was mental struggle....but then something (someone) stopped me. I realized that I knew God had something for me at IWU the day I initially stepped onto campus during my senior year of high school. It just didn't seem like God...for me to walk away in defeat. By taking all of the courses which would transfer, I was closing every last door to IWU. I couldn't do it. So by the grace of God, I finally stopped running. I finally listened to those that had encouraged me to at least try--to those who had believed in my potential when I only saw imperfection. Two art courses miraculously opened my first week back in January. Within two weeks, I finally knew that I was where I was supposed to be. Slowly, oh so slowly, I started to realize that perfection should not be my only pursuit. But humility...and the desire to grow. I have learned more and struggled more.....and have become more alive than I ever have in my life. I am beginning to recognize who I truly was created to be and it is beautiful.
I want to help others experience the same thing. I can illustrate this in two ways.
1) To begin with, my thoughts quickly return to my nephew. He experiences true delight and freedom when he paints with me. I still cannot believe the transforming powers that a cheap set of watercolors have for him, even on a bad day for him as a result of his chemo. (He is doing a lot better by the way...he is probably in best shape he has been in since he was diagnosed...his hair is coming back :) ). Anyway, my point is.... there is power in creativity.... I have witnessed it again and again. There is healing in creation.
2) Art is so beautiful because it speaks in another language. When I think about teaching, I think about the students with which I will interact. Some children struggle in every academic area, yet when they reach art they excel. They get it.... and they know it. This is so powerful. I want to instill self-confidence in these students. I want them to see their potential... who knows if anyway else will point it out to them. In my practicum last semester, my supervising teacher explained the art show that she has at the end of the year showcasing outstanding student work. She told me that time and time again...other teachers and parents would come to her and comment on how surprised they were to see what they saw. These individuals could not believe that certain students were so talented...when they had originally appeared to be well maybe a bit "hopeless" in other areas.
I don't know if I am expressing exactly what I want to say....I just desire to use art as a tool. A tool for restoration...for hope, for healing, for re-defining who am I am...and for changing how I see the world.
Painting with my Love
Here he is...my favorite painter!
I love it when watercolor flows into itself
Collaborative painting (number 1)
Isaac loves to paint so much that sometimes he says "paint" instead of my name when he first sees me.
Collaborative Fun#2---This may be my favorite
Yes, we are using prang...not tube paints. However, Chuck Close didn't have his first set of tube paints until 5...so I'm giving Isaac a little time to warm up.
More fun (he was so excited to paint...he blended all the colors together in the paint box because he didn't have paper yet)
Love him
I enjoy how the paint mixed into itself in these last two paintings.
I went home for a day this weekend and spent some much needed time with my family. These photos are of a painting session, I had with my nephew, Isaac. Ever since he started painting in August, he's been obsessed. Sometimes, I wonder if he is so excited to see me because he knows that I hold the brushes. Anyway, I feel like these are pretty good for a 2 1/2 year old...watch out world.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Painting Emotion
I did a couple of quick sketches/watercolors for Storyboarding. The goal was to track an emotion though a series of eight quick pieces. Here's a few of them. I am not very pleased with these pieces, but they are definitely more free than most of what I do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
