Clay

I did not have a chance to complete my clay project this year, but likely would have created a small box or a mug to replace the one I constructed last year which was taken by another student.  I was hoping to add small details using both adding-to and taking-away methods.  I also would like to try using the wheel at some point to create a bowl.  I think this project was a great chance to try new things and help enrich your sculpting abilities.

4 Steps to Abstraction

I think this was a fun project that looks great upon completion.  I originally planned to draw Bubbles from Powerpuff Girls but, after sketching some rough drafts, decided to switch my focus to the blue shell from Mario Karts.  You know, the one that someone decides to shoot at you when you're in first place and two feet from the finish line.  And there's no avoiding it, and then you sit there while everyone else passes you and you end up in last place.  Choosing this as my focal point for the project was my way of adding my own personal touch to the piece, as I think of the blue shell as a sort of metaphor for life.  Everything is going good, then suddenly BOOM- blue shell!  I hoped to incorporate this idea by using a dramatic red and black cloudy background which would get progressively darker as I move closer to the shell.  Although I did not have the chance to complete this project in class, I have completed my drawings for my final copy and plan to paint the project at home when I find time.

Gesture

Although I really liked this project and was looking forward to completing it, all I had the chance to work on was my rough drafts.  I had seen finished gesture drawing projects in the past and was really looking forward to completing my own as I think they turn out very nicely.  I used to hate gesture drawings, but I think they're growing on me.  Although I did not have the chance to work on my final copy, I did enjoy choosing poses and composing rough drafts.  I hope to complete a project similar to this on my own time.

Pumpkin

Although I did not get a chance to finish my pumpkin, I enjoyed the planning process and completing the first steps to a great pumpkin.  I worked with Madi, and together we planned to turn the pumpkin into a green m&m.  We chose this particular m&m because we thought it would be fun to capture her sass on a pumpkin.  I was disappointed that I did not get a chance to finish this pumpkin because I think I would have been pleased with the results.  It was fun painting on a different medium than paper or canvas for a change.

Skeleton

I did really enjoy the skeleton project.  I liked how the newspaper background added another dimension to the piece and I liked the simplicity of the artwork on top of it.  I pushed the boundary of the theme a bit by making my focal piece a heart.  I also had lungs stemming off of it.  Behind the human heart and lungs, I had a decorative heart and wings.  I also added fleur de lises underneath the main part of the project to add to the overall feel of the piece.  Although I did not have the opportunity to finish this project, I feel like I have a great start and plan to finish the piece in my free time.

Stool

I did not enjoy this project very much.  Originally, the stool was across the room from me.  I drew the stool from this distance and began to shade, but upon closer inspection discovered the lines of the stool were much different than they had appeared from farther away.  This caused a lot of problems with my drawing and forced me to restart much of my drawing in order to have a more realistic interpretation of the stool.  Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this project more had I been sitting closer to the stool the entire time.

Line Adjectives

     I really enjoyed this project as I like to create abstract pieces based on the "feelings" of words.  I felt that this piece was successful and while there are little tweaks I would make, there are not any major changes I would make if I were to do the project over again.  One small change I would make is putting more time into writing the words.  I liked how "dedicated" turned out, but I wish I would have made the lines thicker on "bold" and put more time into "hopeful" and "sarcastic."  This project helped me turn descriptive words into an image.