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.