Self-Portrait

 

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces? I chose the three inspirational pieces because they are unique in their own ways and got something out of each of them. The intensity of these artworks helped me to narrow down from several that I viewed.

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait? I selected a pencil and colored pencils to bring out the detail in my self-portrait. I feel as though colors have such a strong way of expressing feelings and understanding.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them? I am not a good artist when it comes to drawing so this is definitely something that I continue to try and work on. This always makes me nervous but yet do better each time.


 
4. How does this piece represent you? This piece represents myself as a woman and explains a little about myself. The huge smile shows that I am always smiling even when I am not having the best of days. My smile has always been something that expresses who I am as person. For example: I have a bubbly personality and I am a fun loving individual. I hope that from what people can see, my self-portrait is all about me.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work? I applied lines in my glasses, face and hair; texture strictly for my hair because it is soft and wavy, form is represented on my face and emphasis for my blue-grey eyes.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project? Yes, this was interesting and required me to look beyond what I would normally to complete a project. I thought it was fun having to relay information about myself to the assignment. 

7. What do you think of your final artwork? I think it came out good. It represents me somewhat, although I cannot draw, to an extent that I am happy with the end result. I tried my best and I think that is all that matters!

Final Blog

1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met? I would have to say that my expectations were met, as I wanted to learn things from every assignment. There was a wide range of tasks and I believe that the hands on projects interested me the most.

2. Now that you've been through this course, what is art? How would you define it now compared to your initial posting? Art is expressing an idea from a visual perspective, whether it is a sculpture, painting, photograph, etc. It can be displays in various ways such as an installation, part of an art gallery theme, outside of a building representing a company, and for forth. Art is represented by elements and principles that make it unique. Some include color, shape, form, texture, emphasis, etc.

3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so? I initially thought that Normal Rockwell was my favorite artist but now I would have to say Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh. Monet was known for his beautiful Lilly pad paintings. A favorite of mine overall is Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different? I feel somewhat the same as my original post. This was definitely a lot of work. I encourage everyone who takes a course online to plan out his or her week of assignments. Some may take longer than expected. Whether the teacher or the student is organized, time management is definitely important.

Art Critique Blog

1. Which projects did you review? I reviewed Jennifer Jeffers-People in Many Art Forms and Diana Daniels-All About Landscapes. Both were very good presentations! The last one was Kylie O’Connell’s-Elemental Photography and took interest in this one right away so chose her presentation to critique.

2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued? I chose Kylie O’Connell’s because it spoke to me. I am majoring in photography and love everything about it. When I started going through Kylie’s presentation, I knew that her project was the most interesting to me. Her choices of photos go so well with her overall theme.

3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?
4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work? It is easy to critique someone’s work if you are interested and enjoy it. I think that it would be much more difficult if you had to judge work that was of no interest to you as the viewer or observer. Also negative advice is not my forte and would hate for anyone to have a bad overall impression on how I felt about his or her masterpiece. Especially because we do not know how much they struggled to make that piece their own.

5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project? I am always open to constructive criticism. This is the only way that I will improve in my future endeavors especially as an artist of my craft, photography.

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why? I feel as though I did my best and for that I feel that I should deserve at least an 8. I am not the best at wording my opinions so that is why I would say an eight. There is always room for improvement.

7. Did you enjoy working on this project? I enjoyed working on this project because I got to view some very interesting photos, which opens up my horizons as an aspiring photographer. It is amazing to see the artistry in other peers.
 

Module 15 Video Review

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

The Greenberg interview focused on Jackson Pollock and the legacy he left on all artists. He focused on his expression and how he painted. Pollock would use anything and everything to create his unique masterpieces, such as twigs, sticks, brushes, etc. All of which truly made him his own artist. Greenberg stressed that Pollock’s paintings were viewed differently and some would say they were “freakish.” His paintings seemed mindless but Greenberg said he was “speaking art.” Jackson Pollock did not spread his publicity, his art did. If it were his choice to not be seen, he would prefer that. 

The Michael Fried conversation between himself and T.J. Clark was focused on a few of Jackson Pollock paintings. They also spoke of the art history in relation to Pollock. Clark stresses the significance and historic views while Fried has an aesthetic difference of opinion. Clark sees Pollock paintings as struck by fragility and that the disbursement is somewhat even throughout. The line, quality and color are key in understanding Pollock. Fried sees an intense breakthrough and that Pollock was not clear on how to go on to the next stage of paintings. Although, they agree that the historical significance cannot be challenged.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

The videos do not relate to my Art Criticism project. I am focusing on a presentation by Kylie O’Connell who found elemental photography pertaining to earth, water, fire, air and its combined processes. This is all about photography while the interviews were strictly painting critiques by Jackson Pollock.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?

 I chose to focus on Jackson Pollock so therefore both are T.J. Clark interviews yet the perspective is different. Greenberg’s consisted of a sit-down interview that merely focused on him and the answers given. Some close up views and far away too which stressed his opinions of Pollock. You can tell that the interview is laid back and Greenberg felt quite confortable in his surroundings. 

The Michael Fried was a conversation piece with T.J. Clark. Also, Clark had a difference of opinion and stressed it very much, as did Fried. Both men feel differently toward the discussed art history of Jackson Pollock.

Both add depth to my understanding of art criticism because they make the viewers aware of how important art truly is to people. If one feels strongly about their opinion on the artwork, they should express it. The best thing about art and Jackson Pollock is that the differences of opinions should be stated and all are very significant. Jackson Pollock was at times not viewed as a “real artist” or what some described as an “outsider.” To me, art is real and should be open to everyone who would like to express themselves equally.

Nature's Beauty

Becoming an art curator was not easy although I enjoyed the process. I searched high and low for artwork that would represent my theme of nature. I used work that represented trees, water, skies, mountains, leaves, wind, snow and so forth. This created my theme. I am happy to have had the opportunity to work on a project that makes me realize the importance of artwork. My presentation allows beauty to escape into our minds and create a sense of unity throughout. I hope everyone enjoys my presentation as I tried my hardest to accomplish my own unique masterpiece.

Video Blog Review

1    1.  For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art video discusses many things in terms of the meaning and representation of the term itself. There are many different ways to describe lowbrow art. Mainly, it is art that gives an artist the freedom to express their thoughts. This type of art is specifically not characterized; it is abstract expressionism. For example, if you, as the artist, feel the need to express a feeling, you have the right to do so however you please. Many paintings have their own meaning. There are many influences that made this possible which include hot rods vehicles, comic books and rock, just to name a few. At times, this type of art was known to be pornography because it involved women that were naked. Surrealism is sometimes mentioned although has many differences.

Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach-This video focuses on the Tate Museum in relation to The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).Henry Tate’s ideas were eventually put into these museums to create an approach that impacted the viewers opinions. The museum was divided up into four sections, “Landscape/Matter/Environment, History, Memory/Society, Still-life/Object, Real-life, Nude/Action/Body. All of which coincide with particular artists. Sometimes the placement of certain artists were somewhat hard for the viewer to understand it.

Bones of Contention: North American Archeology-this video focuses on the bones of Native Americas. The bones date back in history very far and these have much significant history to them. Museums are made for history to come alive in front of our eyes. Discovery is an amazing structure that the world has offered to us at our fingertips. Archeology is lived proof that things happened the way they did. Without it, our future would be scarce.

An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and the Metropolitan Museum of Art-This video discusses a leader who influenced modern art and creation to increase more diligently. Art is form and can be transcribed to the cultures that are yet to find. The video gives an insight to not only us, but also the people around us. This museum is ever growing and collections are important by influencing the impact of the artwork.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

My art exhibition projects main theme is nature therefore the video do not really relate to it at all. My favorite thing to photograph is nature and thought it would be interesting to display what I enjoy as an aspiring photographer.

3.What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

I enjoyed the films and think that they offered a lot of information that inspired me to think more outside the box when preparing for my project. I want to express my true feelings when creating my power point presentation and make it reflect on myself as an artist. I think the videos added depth to the understanding of the art concepts while focusing on my curation project. It is amazing to get the artist thoughts on their own work as well of others in the business. Opinions and facts are both important things to focus on when creating a project like mentioned above.

Art Gallery Visit #2

1. Description:  Look at the work carefully and describe what you see and/or what is happening in detail.  Get as much background information as possible, such as the title, date, artist, country of origin, medium etc.  Ask yourself: what is already known about the time period, style, artist, etc.?   Is the work representational, non-representational or realistic?  Does it make use of modified images?  And so on.

 

Late Afternoon Twilight-This painting is of a small town in the suburbs. There are two horses pulling a man down the road into town. This is realistic since this painting is of real ordinary life in the 1920’s. This was a time in which the Great Depression was evident but do not know for sure if this painting had anything to do with that. Also, the title may give away what influenced Burchfield; simply late nights ride in town. Twilight could mean that the night was awakening.

Untitled (Horse and Buggy)-This drawing is of literally a horse and buggy traveling down a dirt road to a town. The land around the horse and buggy is scarce so this must have been in the country somewhere. Burchfield must have wanted to represent time and show the dirt road as a symbol of old times. This work is realistic because this depicts real life in the 1920’s. The media used to create this work offers the feeling of the “dirt” road affects.

Grain Elevators-This painting represents the late 1930’s grain elevators at the site of a river or lake. These factories symbolize hard work and dedication toward the specific company that is displayed in the painting. This work is representational and realistic because of the detail that was put into it. 

2. Formal Analysis:  Pick apart the composition or design.  Ask yourself:  What elements are     emphasized?  How are they used?  What principles?  How?  What design type?

Late Afternoon Twilight-The elements and principles that are emphasized are line, texture, space and color. Lines are represented in the sky, ground and building in the painting. This gives it the texture that can be displayed when looking at this up close. The space is presented to the left of the town and the sky. This negative space represents different tones of color. All of which are neutral shades of brown, yellow and orange. The type is infrastructure or architectural design.

Untitled (Horse and Buggy)-The elements and principles that are emphasized are line, texture and space. The lines are represented in the dirt road, horse, carriage and land. This gives a sense of pattern to the drawing. Texture is displayed when looking at the dirt road. It is as though you can reach out and physically touch it. Space is demonstrated throughout the drawing to display the land and desert-like atmosphere.

Grain Elevators-The elements and principles that are emphasized are line, variety and unity. Lines are displayed in the factories, ripples in the water and clouds in the sky. They are straight and curvy lines. Variety is represented between the buildings, lake, and homes surrounding the painting. Unity is displayed because the whole picture comes together and each piece has a specific meaning for being in the spot that it is. 

 3. Bracketing:  Artists often refer to things from everyday life in their art.  Sometimes when we look at a work of art we are reminded of another artist or style of art.  Sometimes we notice iconography we are familiar with.  Think of what you are reminded of when you look at the work.

Late Afternoon Twilight-When looking at the work, I immediately thought of the wild west or a cowboy movie. It made me envision how life was in that time period.

Untitled-Horse and Buggy-This work makes me appreciate the forms of transportation we have today and the quality of the roads. I can’t imagine how much time was wasted and how uncomfortable the rides must have been.

Grain Elevators-This work makes me think of the grain elevators in the First Ward of Buffalo towards the end of Louisiana Street. I think that times were rough because people were not getting paid like they should have and conditions were not the best that they could. Trying times were definitely a struggle for most individuals in the 1920’s and 1930’s. 

4. Interpretation:  Stop and look at what you wrote down in steps two through four.  Put all the information together to determine the meaning of the art.  What strategy is the artist using?  Are there any symbols, metaphors or allegories that tell you anything about what the artist intended?  Do you have an emotional reaction that you think the artist wanted you to have?  Make your conclusions from the previous steps support your interpretation.

Late Afternoon Twilight-The painting is represented by how the artists reflected on a specific time period. This was influential to Burchfield because he beautifully painted an image that impacted him. I am sure he wants his viewers to think about how life truly was and think about the proximity.

Untitled Horse and Buggy-The drawing is a step back in time of how “uneasy” life once was back in what we consider ancient history. I think that artist was trying to convey possibly a time when he rode in a buggy and convey that times were tough. It is much different in our society today.

Grain Elevators-This painting represents hard work in the past and makes us appreciate what we have in our lives today. Burchfield would have wanted viewers to reflect back in time to realize that life was not easy at all. Working for hardly any pay increased the feeling of struggle.

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit? The title of the exhibit is John R. Oishei Foundation & Anthony J. Sisti Galleries. Of the three pieces of work I chose, the years range from 1920-1938.
2. What is the theme of the exhibition? The theme of the exhibit is Charles Burchfield’s perspective on life.

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used? Dim track lighting is used to represent the mood and character of the artwork.
2. What colors are used on the walls? White walls are presented throughout the gallery.
3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space? There are a few benches for those who would like to sit and take more time to reflect on the work. Also, some artwork is displayed in glass cases to ensure that viewers do not touch it.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space? The artwork is spacious and allows many people to view at the same time. The open space helps the exhibit flow more easily and freely.

Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized? There is no particular order except for the way each gallery is placed.
2. How are the artworks similar? All of one artist represents each section of the gallery.
3. How are the artworks different? The artwork is made differently as far as which media was chosen to create the masterpiece.
4. How are the artworks framed? From the looks of it, all three are wooden frames.
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled? These are identified on a plaque placed to the right or left of the painting. It represents the artist, their date of birth, the title of the work, media used and where the artwork came from. The three that I chose from Charles Burchfield were gifts that were donated to the art gallery.
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other? They are all within a few feet of each other. The size of the gallery was not very large so it made viewing the artist more enjoyable and surreal.  

 

What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?

I thought it was interesting having to visit the gallery from a different perspective. It made me look at specific things that I would not normally notice on a normal visit. The space was easily accessible making it easy enough for several people to view at the same time and still feel comfortable. The architecture was designed in a way to wrap you around in a circle leading you to another part of the gallery. The theme was Buffalo in the early 1900’s from Charles Burchfield’s perspective on life.