Assignments

Assignment 1 - 5 & 5

Observations:
1. For photography, many of the pictures are blurry with one thing in focus.
2.* For many of the photographs, you really have to think and analyze what you're looking at; there isn't a blatant subject or image.
3. It seems that many of the subjects consist of/are inspired by nature.
4. The sculptures vary throughout in regards to texture and use many different materials (wood, coal, ceramics, glass, plaster, spit, etc).
5. Vibrant/bold colors do not seem to be used much throughout your artwork.  Much of it maintains darker or earthier tones.

Questions:
1. What do you find inspiring?
2. What techniques do you use for the photographs that seem to be a collaboration of different, unfocused photos?
3.* Where did you get the idea for the photo "Red & Blue"?
4. Where do you do your artwork? Do you have a studio?
5. Who is your favorite artist that you find most talented? (past and present)



Assignment 2
Other Group Project Observations:

1. Damian, Michael, Ashley
- For the movement picture, the other objects in the photo don't really direct your eye towards a specific subject.
- Overall, the picture choices are pretty accurate and sensible.

2. Pasama's Group
- The pictures are accompanied by thorough and logical explanations.

3. Olivia's Group
- For the emphasis picture, the tree doesn't necessarily look emphasized within its surroundings.

4. Hazel, Ziona, Jessie
- For the variety picture, we feel that there could be a photo to better exemplify variety.
- The harmony picture may be more suitable for movement?

5. Anthony, Arielle, Alix
- We feel that your shape picture could show more examples, or have a more evident subject.

6. Taylor's Group
- We feel that grass and cement together may not necessarily be the best example of harmony.

7. Maddie's Group
- We were confused as to why you chose the picture you did for unity.  A more in-depth explanation would help to make sense of it.



Assignment 3 - 50 Observations

My Wristlet/Wallet

1. The majority of it is dark blue.
2. There is floral print on it.
3. The floral print consists of faded blues, greens, and purples.
4. Black outlines the floral print.
5. In addition to the floral print, there are also scattered flower petals by themselves.
6. Some colors have started to acquire a brown tint to them.
7. Parts that are not often help/exposed to oils and dirt are much brighter and bolder.
8. The thread used to do the stitching is also dark blue.
9. The stitching is done in a repeating pattern of diamonds/rhombuses.
10. It is made of cloth.
11. It is generally rectangular shaped.
12. The rectangular shape has curved edges rather than 90 degree corners.
13. There is a zipper track going around 3 out of 4 sides of it.
14. The zipper track is also dark blue.
15. The corners and edges have started to fray.
16. The material underneath the rips/frays is an off-white color.
17. The overall appearing is worn down.
18. Although it is made of cloth, it is not soft.
19. It is about 5 inches in length.
20. It is about 3 inches in width.
21. On one side, there is a flap that snaps shut.
22. On the other side, there is a clear plastic window.
23. The clear plastic window is about 2 & 1/2 inches in length.
24. The clear plastic window is about 2 inches in width.
25. The pattern on the cloth is not symmetrical throughout.
26. Coming off one corner are 2 different loops of the material.
27. One loop is very small (maybe 1/2 and inch if stretched flat).
28. The other loop is longer (approximately 8 inches when stretched flat).
29. Attached to the larger loop is a hook that opens and closes.
30. This hook is then attached to a ring that is places within the smaller loop.
31. Both the hook and the ring are made of metal/steel.
32. Both the hook and the ring have spots of silver left.
33. Both the hook and the ring are mostly a pinkish-orangish, copper color.
34. Both the hook and the ring have scratches and indents on them.
35. Where the long loop and the short loop meet, the material is ripped and frayed.
36. The material where this is ripped is rather fuzzy and soft.
37. When this object is completely filled, it is about 1 & 1/2 inches tall (when sitting on a flat surface).
38. When the object is completely pressed flat and empty, it is about 3/4 of an inch tall (when sitting on a flat surface).
39. The object is relatively light in weight.
40. The zipper itself has the letters YKK on it.
41. The zipper itself is also mostly dark blue.
42. Some of the blue paint has come off/been scratched off of the zipper.
43. Where the blue paint has been scratched, there is silver metal underneath.
44. The zipper is flat and smooth, apart from the raised edges around it.
45. Through the hole at the end of the zipper is a piece of ribbon-looking cloth.
46. This ribbon-looking cloth splits into two directions.
47. On both sides of the ribbon-looking cloth, it reads "Vera Bradley" (for a total of 4 times).
48. The "Vera Bradley" is an off-white color.
49. The "Vera Bradley" is written in an italicized, fancy, cursive-looking font.
50. When unzipped, the inside of this object is covered in a blue material, lighter than the blue on the outside.
51. The material feels silky and smooth.
52. The material looks slightly shiny.

Assignment 3 - Color

Seafoam Green

My favorite color is sea foam green.  It is the color of my walls at home, and I have a couple items of clothing that are this color as well.  I find seafoam green a peaceful and happy color; it is relaxing to be surrounded by, as it is a mild pastel shade.  Although it is a cool color, it has a warm feel to it - reminding me of a beautiful, sunny beach scene with clear water and white sand.  This mental image also adds to the relaxing, warm response I have to this color.  When I come across an image or object that is sea foam green, my eyes are automatically drawn to it, as the color gives me happy thoughts and makes me feel at ease.

Assignment 4 - Pre-Zombie Apocalypse: Monday, February 24, 2014

In this photo, there is a wide selection of everyday goods that are commonly found in a grocery store. From first glance, the image is very overwhelming. There is a multitude of colors and the objects are so congested that it seems very chaotic. However, as a closer look is taken, everything begins to appear very organized. Each item is color coordinated, and grouped by type and brand. It appears to be at a grocery store, such as a Wal Mart grocery. It looks as if everything is undisturbed, or freshly stocked, like how a store would look in the morning after it opens. After this photograph was taken, we assume that these organized shelves got picked over as more and more customers came through it.  Overall the way this store is set up is all about convincing consumers on buying the best most colorful items. The store is marginalizing consumers as a whole by thinking that the customers will be persuaded by these enticing labels and colors. Also by placing sales tags the vendor things the items may seem more desirable. It further depicts the materialistic aspects of society through the overabundance of options for the same products. When looking at the soda aisle (the one in the very back towards the top of the image), we see that the same item in different flavors and brands takes up the entire length of the photo. We are crowded with options, all many variations of the same exact thing.



Assignment 5 - Tim Roda: February 25, 2014

Five Observations:
1.  Recurring subjects (same people/models).
2.  A lot of the images have pictures within them.
3.  In the Antiquities, someone was struggling/being harmed in every image.
4.  All images are in black and white/grey scale.
5.  The scenes/arrangements in the works all have a chaotic feel to them.

Five Questions:
1.  Where do you set up these arrangements you use for your art?
2.  What is the significance of having all of your work in black and white?
3.  Where do you obtain the supplies and ideas to create these strategically spontaneous arrangements?
4.  What is the typical editing process that your images endure?
5.  What do you want people to take away from your artwork? (emotions, messages, etc)

Assignment 6 - Tim Roda: February 26, 2014

Follow Up
The Skype session we had with Tim Roda was very interesting and beneficial.  First of all, I really enjoyed seeing the personality behind the artwork.  Looking back at his work afterwards, it is easier to recognize and appreciate different things - for example, his recurring sons, the time and effort that goes into the arrangement, and the risk that he takes by working with film.  It takes a long time to develop images, and they are not guaranteed to come out nicely.  Also, by taking a step back, I find it really cool that he generally uses all black and white.  Because although black and white is sometimes monotonous, his images are not...especially when looked at all together.  They have a certain flow to them and really work well together, even though not all of the sets are related.  His style is very interesting and admirable, in addition to the fact that he is open to the idea of viewers interpreting his work in their own personal way.




Assignment 7 - Jason Hackett 5/5: March 4, 2014

Five Observations:
1. Many of his works use the colors black, white, and gold.
2. There is always more than one element on his ceramic works - i.e. two/three/four pieces put together into one.
3. It looks as if he often uses the "Salvation Army Badge" shape as part of his works to mount another element onto it.
4. The subject/center of many of his pieces is a human or an anatomical part.
5. Many pieces look/convey the feeling that they are either broken, torn apart, or blindly glued together.

Five Questions:
1. Do you physically paint the designs/pictures on your ceramics?
2. What is the story/meaning behind the exhibit that has 12 plates (or parts of plates) lined up in a row on the wall?
3. How do you create the fading/wearing away effect on the pictures within the plates?
4. What was your thought process when creating and/or planning the "Wreathe" piece with the cast ceramic, green feet?
5. Feet and religion appear recurrently throughout your artwork...what significance do they have to you?


Assignment 8 - Jason Hackett Follow-Up: March 5, 2014

Skyping with Jason Hackett was a beneficial experience after viewing some of his artwork.  He seems like he really enjoys what he does, and has a clear vision of what each piece means to him.  He also understands and accepts the fact that his work may not be appreciated or accepted by everyone that views it. For example, his pieces with biblical images/references in them. This goes hand in hand with what we discuss in class when looking at other classmates' projects.  Everyone maintains different values, opinions, and beliefs, therefore we all see and understand things differently.  I also found it very cool that his answer to "What is the most meaningful piece to you, personally?" was "The next one."  It shows that he is ambitious and a hard worker, putting a great deal of thought, passion, and energy into his artwork.



Assignment 9 - Claire Sherwood: March 25, 2014

Five Observations:
1.  Uses many different textures/patterns.
2.  Uses colors that are very complimentary to each other.
3.  Many objects look like they are a play on a baked good.
4.  Not only is she creative in her artwork, but she is in her writing as well.
5.  She is able to produce creative artwork out of everyday objects (icing, clothing, lace, coal, wax, paper doilies).

Five Questions:
1.  Did you use real, edible frosting for the "Frosted Series"?
2.  If so, what kind? How did you deal with problems such as the frosting getting too soft and melting?
3.  What was the process for creating the video "licked"? How many takes did you need?
4.  What feelings/emotions do you want people to walk away from your artwork with (if any)?
5.  How does being a mother reflect in your artwork?



Assignment 10 - Claire Sherwood Follow-Up: March 26, 2014

Skyping with Claire was a lot of fun, and she seemed to have a very outgoing, bubbly, and funny personality.  Before the interview, when viewing her works, I personally liked them more than the past two artists. They implemented different very contrasting materials - such as concrete and lace, or rock and frosting.  Additionally, they incorporated pastel colors and gave off a feminine vibe.  Her inspiration and messages behind her works were unclear before skyping her, but were made understandable eventually.  Where she is living at the time plays a large role in her pieces, especially the prominent industry of that location (hence the dirt and concrete).  She also likes to include femininity to kind of prove herself...that she is a successful artist and a mother at the same time.  This, as well as her personality, are clearly conveyed in many of her artworks.