Reflection of First Marking Period

      This marking period we did two different pieces and started on one project. The project we started on was a year-long coptic book. To begin working on it, we decorated paper. We used ink to dye and color the papers in any way we wanted. I also did many ink transfers, I like them. It was fun and a great way to start the year.
     The first piece we worked on was a shoe drawing. It was very hard for me because I had never done anything like it. I think I really grew as a person and an artist working on this piece. I really  concentrated on how light and shadows effect color and other features. It was a lot of hard work and focusing for me. I learned how to shade and create a three-dimensional picture from starting with a two-dimensional one. It was fun and hard work at the same time.
   The last piece we did was a collage named The Next President. We got to choose either a topic or a candidate and make a collage based solely on that. It was tough think of a topic or candidate to choose, and how to convey your message. Once I figured out how though, I just kinda started and didn't stop until I was done. I had all of my ideas swirling around in my head and somehow I managed to put them on paper. I do not know how I did it.
   
I can not wait for the next project, a lantern! Stay tuned for pictures through my progress!

Next President Collage

      I recently finished our next project, the next President Collage. The entire time I worked on this piece, I thought I knew exactly how it was going to turn out. Of course, I was wrong. When I had thought I finished, I actually wanted to throw it away! I did not like it at all. I had covered up most of the collage with tissue paper because I wanted the viewer to first focus on this one part, then really try and find the other elements around that one spot. The tissue paper failed me though. After taking most of it off, I realized that the blue color of the tissue paper had stained most of the collage, and obscured exactly what I wanted! Without completely covering it up! So I decided that it was as perfect as it was going to get, and hung it up!
     I used a few other techniques on this project. Mostly, I used gloss medium ink transfers and packing tape transfers. I even glued an entire image in the back round on too. But, you can't tell because I covered it with packing tape transfers. Other than the tissue paper to obscure parts, I used very thinned out paint to tint the entire project blue in one of the beginning layers. It created a nice effect because now after about 10 more layers, you can still see the blue.
     This project was a lot more fun for me, but also less work. Coming into the shoe drawing, I had no idea how to shade a two-dimensional drawing to make it look three dimensional. After weeks of frustration, I can say that I know how to shade a two-dimensional drawing to make it look three dimensional:) With a collage, even though it is frustrating, it is a little easier than a drawing. If I didn't like something, I could cover it with more layers. I was creating this image so I didn't have to stick to the exact lines of three different shoes. I could have more fun with it! I hope we do something like this again soon!

And sorry for the shiny part of the picture! This is the best picture I have right now! I will post a new one asap!

Shoe Drawing

A few weeks ago I finished my shoe drawing! It is a still life, black and white drawing of a pile of shoes. I have no clue why I chose these 3 shoes:) Now, looking at the finished project, I like them! I spent a few weeks working hard on this drawing.
     Before this drawing I had never done a complete black and white sketch before. It was an entirely new concept for me and I think I did OK with it! I had to shade the entire shoe and lets just say, a few mental breakdowns came with the shading:) In the end I had a black and white drawing of three shoes, that I liked.
    I think this was a better type of art for me to do because it really made me think and work hard. To draw these three shoes was a lot harder than anything else I have done in art. Yet, even with having done this great challenging experience and knowing the great outcome, I don't think I would do it again. It was just too many mental breakdowns for me!

Back to School!!!

Summer is over. And that means time for classes...and art class. This is my first year taking a high school art class and I am excited to start working. Art is not my strongest place, but who cares! We started dying papers for our year-long project of a coptic book. The only things that have actually worked so far is the magazine image transfers. I have to have a "theme" throughout this book. I have decided that I want some words across every page. It doesn't matter if you can read them, they don't make sense or you love what it says. You just have to look past the real words to see what is underneath, and see the real meaning. Just like sometimes in life, you can't just hear the real words, you have to hear the double-meaning in them. So if you want to see my real meaning, come back to see my work.