Monday, March 30, 2009
Book Project Reflection
Over the last few weeks, I though a lot about what I wanted my final piece would look like. I wanted to circle my theme around the ideas of banned books, heresy, and suppression of creative thought. I feel like those concepts do not come through easily in the final product, but I made an effort to make my point through using a blow torch symbolizing the banning, and ruining of many books throughout history. this book is supposed to act as "The Book of Banned Books" in the sense that it is a monument for those books that have been burned, forgotten, or criticized over the years. I fashioned the books so that they would be in an upward pile. although my piles not realistic like it wont stand up without glue, however it is supposed to represent that many books in have been tossed in a pile to be forgotten.
I did not struggle throughout the process, except maybe getting bored with putting together numerous mini books. I found that after awhile, I got better at making these mini books from just having completed so many of them. Even though there were simple steps (gluing two pieces of a cut-out book covers with a flexible cardboard to make the mini-cover of a book, and then cutting mini pieces of paper to glue inside) I found that I improved.
I really liked this project. It was challenging because the object of this project was to come up with a concept that would form a meaningful idea. In general, I care a lot about books. People should be able to express their creative minds, and should not be punished for their beliefs. That is what I tried to make my book project about, and I had a challenging, but fun experience making it.
I did not struggle throughout the process, except maybe getting bored with putting together numerous mini books. I found that after awhile, I got better at making these mini books from just having completed so many of them. Even though there were simple steps (gluing two pieces of a cut-out book covers with a flexible cardboard to make the mini-cover of a book, and then cutting mini pieces of paper to glue inside) I found that I improved.
I really liked this project. It was challenging because the object of this project was to come up with a concept that would form a meaningful idea. In general, I care a lot about books. People should be able to express their creative minds, and should not be punished for their beliefs. That is what I tried to make my book project about, and I had a challenging, but fun experience making it.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
SERENA WAINWRIGHT HARRIMAN'S PORTFOLIO FOR THE COMMON APPLICATION
Here is my art supplement for the COMMON APPLICATION for College. To give you some information on this web address, I have posted this on my school art blog from my fall oil painting class (fall 2008), and feel free to look around at the work I produced and the information I shared during oil painting.
I have been working on my portfolio during the summer and fall, and here are my final products for the Common Application (If you want to view the pictures in a bigger size, click on the picture and you will have a closer version.) the next 17 pieces are my portfolio pieces:
Painting:
Art is important to me. I want be an artist, along with having a liberal arts education.
Last summer, I traveled to France. The trip was educational because I learned to paint landscapes. Before France, I was stiff and exacting while painting and I was afraid to let myself go and just paint. However the wind, the grass, the clouds, the trees in southern France are not like the familiar urban scene.
Everything is moving, and looseness in art defines that movement. I had to take risks in order to capture the landscape.
1. En Plein Air 1, 2008: acrylic paint on canvas board, 16 ¼” X 12 ½”
This painting was done by observation in Southern France.
This is a landscape from a lesson on vanishing points, painted in the Ardeche in France. I painted this at an art program, Les Tapies Art and Architecture. The road leads to of the place where I was staying.
2. En Plein Air II, 2008: acrylic paint on canvas board, 15 ¾” X 11 ¾” This painting was done by observation in Southern France
Another landscape from my trip to France. This was of the surrounding mountains that we a part of the valley.
The picture immediately below is a photo of me that was taken at an art gallery in the town near by our program. Every student was allowed to submit one piece of their work from the program, so i chose my second landscape painting.
(up-close version below)
3. Tangling Yarn, 2008: oil paint on paper 15” X 19” “white objects” assignment, with neutral colored objects to strengthen mixing skills. This is a still life, that I worked on in an oil painting class at school. the point of this assignment was to not use the color black or white, but instead to work on cream and yellowed objects. The idea was that I would get better at mixing light colors without the help of white and use colors like cadmium yellow, raw umber and raw sienna to make the objects. for shadows, instead of black I would mix violet, ( ultramarine or dark blue and a red).
Photography:
These are the first photos that I have ever developed in a dark room. I was very pleased with the outcome. They were both taken in France, at the same program where I painted the landscapes.
4. Ironwork, 2008: black and white photograph of a fence gate, 8” X 10” photographed and developed in France during my art program at Les Tapies Arts and Architecture. The original picture was not as bright with the light, so while developing it, I would "burn" (over-expose a certain spot by covering the rest of the photo in my hands) in the white highlights as specific points to make it a more realistic light.
5. Hidden Steps, 2008: black and white photograph of a set of steps being overtaken by wild plants, 8” X 10” photographed and developed in France during my art program at Les Tapies Arts and Architecture. (if you look closely, you can see the gate I photographed above at the top middle) The interesting part about this piece is that if you turn it to the side, it looks like a row of trees. The photography teacher really like that aspect of the photograph, because it really makes the viewer look, and consider the meaning of the photograph. Another interesting fact about this photo, is that it looks like it was taken during the night. However, it was taken during the day but had a very unique exposure to the light.
Sculpture:
I love crafting from Clay; working with my hands is delightful. it is very different from paining because you are directly touching the meduim, which is why I love working with clay as well as painting. I made these sculptures from live models, at a class at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
6. Bald Man, 2007: fired clay, 3” X 3” X 5 ½” This is a clay figure sculpture from a 3D figure class taken at Massachusetts College of Art and Design summer classes.
7. Stretching Woman, 2007: fired clay 2 ½” X 3” X 6 ¼.” This is a clay figure sculpture from a 3D figure class taken at Massachusetts College of Art and Design summer classes.
8. Draping Relief (Upper-Body Form/Dress), Fall 2006: This was made during a sculpture class. I was the only student brave enough cast my upper body. My concept around this sculpture was to represent the media, and their expectations of a woman's appearance. Here, I am stating that I am proud of my body, and do not pay attention to the demanding expectations for the body of a woman in modern culture. There is a dress designed over it; light blue cotton fabric for the skirt with cream Tulle (with gold dots) draping over the bust to decorate the sculpture. This is to show my interest in making clothes, and wanting to be my own stylist by following my own interests. The purpose is that I do not follow the ' human barbie doll' that media has created and modified so many times.
Fashion and Costuming:
The construction of a garment is very interesting to me. For the past few years, I have become involved with as much costuming and designing as possible. Fashion is a growing passion for me, that started out as a love for dressing elegantly.
9. Cranberry by Zeal Designs, 2008, silk, pleat, and lace, size 8
Here I am wearing my prom dress, right before Prom in 2008. I made this dress and if you look closely, you will see that the bust line is trimmed in black pleated ribbon and peaking out from the hem is black lace. I write about the process to making this dress, and the significance behind it in my Common App Essay.
This photo was taken right after I finished my prom dress. I had just taken it off the dress form, to try it on for the first time. My mother took a picture of the back. It is an open back, with a diamond shaped cut-out. A bow is placed over the clasp, to give the back some decoration
The next four dresses are from the production Dreamgirls (spring of 2008). I work on the costumes crew for Beaver Country Day School's productions, and I sewed these. There were actually three versions of each of these dresses for each of the Dreams (the three main characters). These were a challenge to construct, however the challenge made the process more inspiring and fun. Keep in mind that the dresses were designed for the actresses in the play, so the proportions are a little off while on the dress form. (Sorry for the glare on some of the photographs, some of the fabrics were really shiny!)
10. shiny-red show dress, red tassels layer the hems of the dress
11. bubble-gum pink mid-Calf length dress with an empire waist (day, travel dress)
12. orange sequin show dress with a pink lining on the inside. Orange tassels trim the bottom of the pink lining.
13. Canary-yellow double-skirted V-neck dress with a waist band.
Mass Art Summer Course (2007)
14. Blue evening dress (2007) with a black mid-waist belt. This was actually the first piece of evening wear that I ever made. I enjoyed creating it, and it was a challenge because I was entirely on my own with the design and process. This class really helped prepare me for college because I am better at being independent with my work and because I experienced the intensity to fashion programs and the fashion industry.
Accessory Pieces (Headbands and Clips):
These pieces were the latest addition to my portfolio. I made them for an artists' store this December. These are the first headbands and clips that I have made. It was a challenge, however I loved making them because I was able to learn good techniques for making accessories, as well as learn from my mistakes. I used feathers, hot glue, and headbands or clips to come to the final product. This was a very good learning experience and the next time I make these accessories, I will be able to have a better idea on what materials to use for the final product. However, I did find that these were very successful for my first time:
15. Colorful Clip, 2008:
This is a hair clip. For this one I used died feathers with bright and brilliant colors.
16. Aviator, 2008:
Here is another clip,using black, red, and blue feathers for its design.
17. Peacock Plenty, 2008: This headband has a real peacock feather, along with a few green feathers to embellish the headband. For this headband, I tried to make a more natural looking piece by using feathers that were not bright pink, yellow, and orange. I used a peacock feather to bring in some color, however I tused olive green and brown toans to make this piece less bright than the others.
I have been working on my portfolio during the summer and fall, and here are my final products for the Common Application (If you want to view the pictures in a bigger size, click on the picture and you will have a closer version.) the next 17 pieces are my portfolio pieces:
Painting:
Art is important to me. I want be an artist, along with having a liberal arts education.
Last summer, I traveled to France. The trip was educational because I learned to paint landscapes. Before France, I was stiff and exacting while painting and I was afraid to let myself go and just paint. However the wind, the grass, the clouds, the trees in southern France are not like the familiar urban scene.
Everything is moving, and looseness in art defines that movement. I had to take risks in order to capture the landscape.
1. En Plein Air 1, 2008: acrylic paint on canvas board, 16 ¼” X 12 ½”
This painting was done by observation in Southern France.
This is a landscape from a lesson on vanishing points, painted in the Ardeche in France. I painted this at an art program, Les Tapies Art and Architecture. The road leads to of the place where I was staying.
2. En Plein Air II, 2008: acrylic paint on canvas board, 15 ¾” X 11 ¾” This painting was done by observation in Southern France
Another landscape from my trip to France. This was of the surrounding mountains that we a part of the valley.
The picture immediately below is a photo of me that was taken at an art gallery in the town near by our program. Every student was allowed to submit one piece of their work from the program, so i chose my second landscape painting.
(up-close version below)
3. Tangling Yarn, 2008: oil paint on paper 15” X 19” “white objects” assignment, with neutral colored objects to strengthen mixing skills. This is a still life, that I worked on in an oil painting class at school. the point of this assignment was to not use the color black or white, but instead to work on cream and yellowed objects. The idea was that I would get better at mixing light colors without the help of white and use colors like cadmium yellow, raw umber and raw sienna to make the objects. for shadows, instead of black I would mix violet, ( ultramarine or dark blue and a red).
Photography:
These are the first photos that I have ever developed in a dark room. I was very pleased with the outcome. They were both taken in France, at the same program where I painted the landscapes.
4. Ironwork, 2008: black and white photograph of a fence gate, 8” X 10” photographed and developed in France during my art program at Les Tapies Arts and Architecture. The original picture was not as bright with the light, so while developing it, I would "burn" (over-expose a certain spot by covering the rest of the photo in my hands) in the white highlights as specific points to make it a more realistic light.
5. Hidden Steps, 2008: black and white photograph of a set of steps being overtaken by wild plants, 8” X 10” photographed and developed in France during my art program at Les Tapies Arts and Architecture. (if you look closely, you can see the gate I photographed above at the top middle) The interesting part about this piece is that if you turn it to the side, it looks like a row of trees. The photography teacher really like that aspect of the photograph, because it really makes the viewer look, and consider the meaning of the photograph. Another interesting fact about this photo, is that it looks like it was taken during the night. However, it was taken during the day but had a very unique exposure to the light.
Sculpture:
I love crafting from Clay; working with my hands is delightful. it is very different from paining because you are directly touching the meduim, which is why I love working with clay as well as painting. I made these sculptures from live models, at a class at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
6. Bald Man, 2007: fired clay, 3” X 3” X 5 ½” This is a clay figure sculpture from a 3D figure class taken at Massachusetts College of Art and Design summer classes.
7. Stretching Woman, 2007: fired clay 2 ½” X 3” X 6 ¼.” This is a clay figure sculpture from a 3D figure class taken at Massachusetts College of Art and Design summer classes.
8. Draping Relief (Upper-Body Form/Dress), Fall 2006: This was made during a sculpture class. I was the only student brave enough cast my upper body. My concept around this sculpture was to represent the media, and their expectations of a woman's appearance. Here, I am stating that I am proud of my body, and do not pay attention to the demanding expectations for the body of a woman in modern culture. There is a dress designed over it; light blue cotton fabric for the skirt with cream Tulle (with gold dots) draping over the bust to decorate the sculpture. This is to show my interest in making clothes, and wanting to be my own stylist by following my own interests. The purpose is that I do not follow the ' human barbie doll' that media has created and modified so many times.
Fashion and Costuming:
The construction of a garment is very interesting to me. For the past few years, I have become involved with as much costuming and designing as possible. Fashion is a growing passion for me, that started out as a love for dressing elegantly.
9. Cranberry by Zeal Designs, 2008, silk, pleat, and lace, size 8
Here I am wearing my prom dress, right before Prom in 2008. I made this dress and if you look closely, you will see that the bust line is trimmed in black pleated ribbon and peaking out from the hem is black lace. I write about the process to making this dress, and the significance behind it in my Common App Essay.
This photo was taken right after I finished my prom dress. I had just taken it off the dress form, to try it on for the first time. My mother took a picture of the back. It is an open back, with a diamond shaped cut-out. A bow is placed over the clasp, to give the back some decoration
The next four dresses are from the production Dreamgirls (spring of 2008). I work on the costumes crew for Beaver Country Day School's productions, and I sewed these. There were actually three versions of each of these dresses for each of the Dreams (the three main characters). These were a challenge to construct, however the challenge made the process more inspiring and fun. Keep in mind that the dresses were designed for the actresses in the play, so the proportions are a little off while on the dress form. (Sorry for the glare on some of the photographs, some of the fabrics were really shiny!)
10. shiny-red show dress, red tassels layer the hems of the dress
11. bubble-gum pink mid-Calf length dress with an empire waist (day, travel dress)
12. orange sequin show dress with a pink lining on the inside. Orange tassels trim the bottom of the pink lining.
13. Canary-yellow double-skirted V-neck dress with a waist band.
Mass Art Summer Course (2007)
14. Blue evening dress (2007) with a black mid-waist belt. This was actually the first piece of evening wear that I ever made. I enjoyed creating it, and it was a challenge because I was entirely on my own with the design and process. This class really helped prepare me for college because I am better at being independent with my work and because I experienced the intensity to fashion programs and the fashion industry.
Accessory Pieces (Headbands and Clips):
These pieces were the latest addition to my portfolio. I made them for an artists' store this December. These are the first headbands and clips that I have made. It was a challenge, however I loved making them because I was able to learn good techniques for making accessories, as well as learn from my mistakes. I used feathers, hot glue, and headbands or clips to come to the final product. This was a very good learning experience and the next time I make these accessories, I will be able to have a better idea on what materials to use for the final product. However, I did find that these were very successful for my first time:
15. Colorful Clip, 2008:
This is a hair clip. For this one I used died feathers with bright and brilliant colors.
16. Aviator, 2008:
Here is another clip,using black, red, and blue feathers for its design.
17. Peacock Plenty, 2008: This headband has a real peacock feather, along with a few green feathers to embellish the headband. For this headband, I tried to make a more natural looking piece by using feathers that were not bright pink, yellow, and orange. I used a peacock feather to bring in some color, however I tused olive green and brown toans to make this piece less bright than the others.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Class Reflection
This oil painting class has been really helpful to me. Even though I have already taken the class before, I found that being more on my own, and it not being a regular class challenge me in different ways than when I took the class fall of my junior year. My first glass panting ended up only being experimental and the work was never completed. However, I learned a few things about glass through the experience, like looking for the highlights, shadows, and color tints to help form the object. By the end of the term, I had finished my own White Objects painting, which helped me with mixing more neutral colors. I had also started a self portrait, and although I did not finish it this term, I started learning the planes of the face, and how shadows and highlights are important in defining the figure. I plan to finish it at home, to work more on the hair as well as the correct proportions. Another painting that I have not totally finished is my architectural space painting. I started this painting because I felt like I had to many still lifes. I also wanted to see how I would approach an architectural drawing, because those style paintings are very different than the figure or the still life. The last piece I finished I am calling Blue Bottle Still Life. I was finally able to accomplish painting glass, and I am really proud of how far I have come and improved over the course of the term. I also felt like I did a good job with painting the fabric; it was one of the first times I feel like I have come close to it looking like actual fabric, with popping out folds.
Overall, I am happy with how this class went. I was able to spend a lot more time painting then normal, because not only did I take Portfolio Development, but I also had a rotating free block, so I spent as much time possible in the studio working on my pieces. I was able to concentrate and feel more comfortable this term in oil painting because I had those extra few hours as extra time if I needed it for certain pieces.
One thing I wish I could have done differently is that I wish I could have spent a little more time on my blog. At the beginning of the term, I had a lot more time to comment and post, but as my term got towards the end, I had a split dedication with this blog, and my portfolio blog. I feel like if I had taken more time, I could have been a little more interactive, and giving advice or comments whenever necessary.
I really enjoyed this class, and I am very sad that the term has ended already. I hope that I will be back up in the studio soon, painting but in the mean time, GOOD LUCK PAINTERS :)
Overall, I am happy with how this class went. I was able to spend a lot more time painting then normal, because not only did I take Portfolio Development, but I also had a rotating free block, so I spent as much time possible in the studio working on my pieces. I was able to concentrate and feel more comfortable this term in oil painting because I had those extra few hours as extra time if I needed it for certain pieces.
One thing I wish I could have done differently is that I wish I could have spent a little more time on my blog. At the beginning of the term, I had a lot more time to comment and post, but as my term got towards the end, I had a split dedication with this blog, and my portfolio blog. I feel like if I had taken more time, I could have been a little more interactive, and giving advice or comments whenever necessary.
I really enjoyed this class, and I am very sad that the term has ended already. I hope that I will be back up in the studio soon, painting but in the mean time, GOOD LUCK PAINTERS :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The History of Oil Paint
Oil painting goes way back to old Greek, Egyptian, and Roman civilizations. They used techniques like encaustic: a technique using hot wax colors, mineral pigments, and tempera: which is a technique using dry color mixed with a glutinous substance (often egg yolks) and water. In Italy and Greece (around the Renaissance era), olive oil was often used to prepare pigment mixtures but the olive oil made the paintings take a long time to dry. often oils were used as a kind of varnish, at the finishing of the paintings.
Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) said that the technique of oil painting was reinvented in Europe in the early 1400's by a man named Jan Van Eyck (1390-1441). oil painting since then have had minor changes, but the changes are not totally different from the techniques of that time. Van Eyke's major achievement was the making of a varnish based on a siccative oil, which was mainly linseed oil. This varnish consisted of piled glass, calcined bones, and linseed oil that were kept at a boiling temperature for a long time. this method proved to be a which drying varnish as opposed to the slower ones like walnut oil and poppy seed oil. Antonello Da Messina (1430-1479) also made an improvement to oil painting. Antonello added lead oxide (litharge) in the mixtures to help improve with the drying.
Oil paint has had a huge history, and is still a popular medium in the art world today. Oil paint has been used for centuries, and many discoveries have been made in the process of developing oil paint. It is important to understand where oil paint originates, because often people do not realize how far back in history oil paint goes. It is important to understand the process it took to get to what oil paint is today; oil paint was used to create art, but it was a science to create it.
Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) said that the technique of oil painting was reinvented in Europe in the early 1400's by a man named Jan Van Eyck (1390-1441). oil painting since then have had minor changes, but the changes are not totally different from the techniques of that time. Van Eyke's major achievement was the making of a varnish based on a siccative oil, which was mainly linseed oil. This varnish consisted of piled glass, calcined bones, and linseed oil that were kept at a boiling temperature for a long time. this method proved to be a which drying varnish as opposed to the slower ones like walnut oil and poppy seed oil. Antonello Da Messina (1430-1479) also made an improvement to oil painting. Antonello added lead oxide (litharge) in the mixtures to help improve with the drying.
Oil paint has had a huge history, and is still a popular medium in the art world today. Oil paint has been used for centuries, and many discoveries have been made in the process of developing oil paint. It is important to understand where oil paint originates, because often people do not realize how far back in history oil paint goes. It is important to understand the process it took to get to what oil paint is today; oil paint was used to create art, but it was a science to create it.
Friday, October 17, 2008
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