How I think about art

This class has given me a better understanding of myself as an artist.  I used to think that being artistic was something you were born with.  You either had it or you didn't.  I always figured I wasn't artistic because I always wanted to draw cartoon faces instead of real ones.  This class showed me that anyone can be an artist.  I learned that being an artist is actually more about creativity than skill.  Maybe I can't replicate Van Gogh as well as another kid or know which colors will go the best together, but I think I do have good, creative ideas.  Art is making something that expresses yourself and I think I accomplished that on a lot of my work this semester.  I am much more proud of myself than I thought I would be going into this class.  I probably won't take any more art classes in the high school, but that doesn't mean I won't make different kinds of art outside of school.

Project I am most proud of

I am most proud of my Oaxacan bowl.  My Oaxacan bowl is my most personal, skillfully made, and creative piece of art.  When I look at it, it speaks to me.  It is a reflection of who I am.  I am not exaggerating when I say it is probably my most proud work of art I've ever made.  I've always known that I wasn't a great artist and never expected to make anything that good.  The painting is very detailed.  It is thickly coated, but the colors don't drip or overlap.  My favorite thing about the art work however, is the design.  I find it very creative and original.  It is kind of funny, yet majestic and even a little sad in my opinion.  The way the lion looks up at the one star longingly is something everyone can relate to.  This work has given me confidence to be creative outside of art class.

Photoshop Designs, using Color Schemes

Purpose:
- Gain a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop, cs6
- Use Photoshop to create two different, interesting designs that demonstrate clear color schemes and organic & geometric shapes.

organic design, analogous

geometric design, analogous and complementary

Personal Space Box

Purpose:

The purpose of this project was to look closely at the work of Winslow Homer so that I could better understand who he is as an artist as well as learn how to describe, interpret, and evaluate works of art. In response to looking at Homer’s work, I created a relief sculpture that is inspired by his work and concepts.

Artist studied: Winslow Homer

This is at Lake Rescue, Vermont.  I go to a lake house here every year in the summer for the 4th of July.  It was my grandfather’s before he died.  I am doing my favorite thing to do in the box, relaxing.  The origami bird is my object.  It represents my other favorite thing to do, birdwatching.

Sense of Place Planning

Part A: Brainstorming Ideas for “Your Personal Place”                

Make a list of three (3) possibilities of places to which you hold strong connections: (past or present): you MUST have a connection and you MUST be able to find photos of your place.

1. Sunday River

2. Vermont house

3. My house

Of the 3 above on which one will be the BEST to create a scene that is meaningful to you:

Vermont

Make a list of the tangible connections to that place. Feelings. Smells. Sounds. Sights, etc. Include everything you can think of, even if it seems silly.

·      Feelings (such as happiness): Happiness

·      Smells (such as warm blueberries): Warm blueberries

·      Sounds (such as crickets at night): Crickets at night

·      Sights (such as seagulls): Seagulls

·      Tangible Objects (tickets, bracelet, shells): Shells

Part B: Specific Planning: Sense of Place Box

Name:  Lucas
Definite Place/Subject idea: Where/what is this place?	A lake house in Vermont
Desired Mood: What feeling are you trying to communicate to your viewer?	a fun feeling
Color Scheme: What colors will you use? The paint should connect with the colors of your photographs.	blue and green and brown
Self (how is your connection to this place going to be evident?):	I will be in it
Map: What actual map will you be using and where are you placing it:	a map of vermont and on the edge
Tangible object(s)/ fun features:	dock, dog, bushes
What is your plan, be specific, for depth (there may be more than 3 layers & you may have something hanging from the top of the box)?	Background:  House Middleground: Lawn Foreground: Water
What is on the outside of box?:	Map
What is on the edge of box?:	Map

Winslow Homer, "Waiting for the Start" 1889

Purpose:

To become familiar with Winslow Homer, a Maine artist;

To look at Homer’s work as a way to inform and inspire your own work;

Title:Waiting for the Start

Medium: Watercolor

Year of creation: 1889

Describe as much as you can about the artwork.  What is happening?  How many people and/or animals are in it and what are they doing?  Describe any buildings that you see.  What time of day is it?  What colors are used?  There are dogs in a boat.  There are five dogs in a boat.  There are no buildings.  It’s 5 o’clock PM.  Dark colors are used.

 

Point of interest/Composition – What attracts your eye first?  Where is it located? How does Homer draw your attention to this area?  (color contrasts, lines, location, changes in pattern, etc.) The dogs catch my eye.  The dogs are in the middle.

Balance - Is there symmetrical or asymmetrical balance? Explain…

A symmetrical balance because

Depth/Perspective- Is there a horizon line?  What is in the foreground, middleground, and background?  Is the background very deep and far away or is this painting shallow and close up? How do you know; describe it.

Mood – What are the feelings, emotions and/or mood you get when you look at this painting?  How do the colors, lines, brushstrokes, composition, subject matter contribute to the mood?

Interpret - Now that you have looked closely at the artwork and have read the title, describe the story of the painting. What do you think Homer was trying to communicate?

Oaxacan Animal Bowl

Purpose:

• To gain a basic understanding of folk art and Oaxacan artistic culture and to create a ceramic bowl inspired by this culture’s style
• To become acquainted with basic ceramic vocabulary

Art Culture Studied:

• The Oaxacan Culture from Mexico

Responses:

I learned how to overlap the painting so it looks better.  Also, I learned that lions are the coolest creature and it looks cool when it’s in space.  Finally, I learned how to cut clay in the proper form.  It is important because it helped me make the best Oaxacan Animal Bowl in the class.  Thank you very much. Also, I learned about the brush that helps you paint lines. Therefore, I learned four things instead of just three.