Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Painting: Senior Project
Click on the images to enlarge them, if you'd like to see more detail. This is the work I've done this semester for Senior Project. The series (I don't have a title for it yet) began as an exploration of identity and human struggle. I've learned so much from this semester. My primary goal was to create an intensely expressive painting, one that might relate to someone else's story as well.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Senior Reviews
I had a pretty rough week. At one point, I thought I was going to go insane from not sleeping. I became really discouraged with my work and was busting my butt to get stuff done in the quality I wanted.
Sometimes I think I take on too much.
I have recently been wondering if it would have been better for me to have stuck to just one concentration- Graphic Design or Painting and Drawing. If I went wholeheartedly with just one of the two, I feel that I could've focused and advanced better in the one direction. I concluded though that I'm glad I did both in the end. Yes, it was hard and I felt divided many times, but I'm thankful to have experience in both areas which seem very different at times, but have the potential to work beautifully together in some cases. If I had done just one concentration, I would've regretted not doing the other. I enjoy both in different ways.
Senior Reviews and the Senior Show were yesterday. I have been stressing out about this for more than a month now, and it's over. Sigh of relief. It really ended on a good note too, despite all the hell at the end before the actual day. I was so nervous in reviews and forgot half of what I wanted to say, but people commented that I didn't look at all as nervous as I thought. It turned out to be a very enriching experience, and the show was so fun because my family and friends came to see my best work in these 4 years. They were surprised at how hard I worked and the quality of the pieces, which made me feel great. I've poured my heart and soul into this work (not to mention the uncountable time) over these past 4 years.
My favorite part is how people react and interact with the work. Paintings open up more of a dialogue with people, and it was interesting to see what they thought of the paintings. One of my professors told me afterward that the series impacted her so much that she felt a real connection with each of the images and it brought her to tears. A friend that taught me in highschool and had seen my work as a senior then was excited to see how much I'd grown. My nephew brought me a wonderful crayon drawing that he did for the occasion (he is interested that I do art). I have received so much encouragement from those around me and it's been a real help.
Sometimes I thought I wasn't going to make it in these 4 years. I chose this school for the art department, and while the school itself has let me down in many ways, the art department has exceeded my expectations and makes the school worthwhile. My professors are the best. Each of them, individually, are wonderful people and artists. I'm grateful that I could learn from them. They are the hardest working and best professors I know- I can't even imagine how they could be better. They really care about the students' growth and work. I hope the program continues to expand and gains the recognition it deserves.
this is kat. we always take good photos together.
Sometimes I think I take on too much.
I have recently been wondering if it would have been better for me to have stuck to just one concentration- Graphic Design or Painting and Drawing. If I went wholeheartedly with just one of the two, I feel that I could've focused and advanced better in the one direction. I concluded though that I'm glad I did both in the end. Yes, it was hard and I felt divided many times, but I'm thankful to have experience in both areas which seem very different at times, but have the potential to work beautifully together in some cases. If I had done just one concentration, I would've regretted not doing the other. I enjoy both in different ways.
Senior Reviews and the Senior Show were yesterday. I have been stressing out about this for more than a month now, and it's over. Sigh of relief. It really ended on a good note too, despite all the hell at the end before the actual day. I was so nervous in reviews and forgot half of what I wanted to say, but people commented that I didn't look at all as nervous as I thought. It turned out to be a very enriching experience, and the show was so fun because my family and friends came to see my best work in these 4 years. They were surprised at how hard I worked and the quality of the pieces, which made me feel great. I've poured my heart and soul into this work (not to mention the uncountable time) over these past 4 years.
My favorite part is how people react and interact with the work. Paintings open up more of a dialogue with people, and it was interesting to see what they thought of the paintings. One of my professors told me afterward that the series impacted her so much that she felt a real connection with each of the images and it brought her to tears. A friend that taught me in highschool and had seen my work as a senior then was excited to see how much I'd grown. My nephew brought me a wonderful crayon drawing that he did for the occasion (he is interested that I do art). I have received so much encouragement from those around me and it's been a real help.
Sometimes I thought I wasn't going to make it in these 4 years. I chose this school for the art department, and while the school itself has let me down in many ways, the art department has exceeded my expectations and makes the school worthwhile. My professors are the best. Each of them, individually, are wonderful people and artists. I'm grateful that I could learn from them. They are the hardest working and best professors I know- I can't even imagine how they could be better. They really care about the students' growth and work. I hope the program continues to expand and gains the recognition it deserves.
this is kat. we always take good photos together.Thursday, March 4, 2010
Design quote of the day
Every practice has a set of rules which governs it. Mastery occurs with the realization of these rules. Innovation occurs at the point of intelligent and creative rebellion against them.
-Fiel Valdez
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Cheeming Boey
All this pointilism/stippling art lately makes me want to do the Foundations project again! (The Freshman are working on it now). This is work by Cheeming Boey, a California based artist that draws on styrofoam cups.
He speaks more about his medium on Sharpie Blog, "The styrofoam cup itself represents the pop culture we live in, and in some ways, is the epitome of 21st century technology. Yet it is often overlooked, and when it ever brings attention, it stands for everything negative. I believe there’s beauty in everything, including what we consider imperfect. I embrace the fact that it isn’t perfect. Sort of like the Wabi-Sabi movement in Japan."
--His "mistake" cups are the ones he drinks out of!
He speaks more about his medium on Sharpie Blog, "The styrofoam cup itself represents the pop culture we live in, and in some ways, is the epitome of 21st century technology. Yet it is often overlooked, and when it ever brings attention, it stands for everything negative. I believe there’s beauty in everything, including what we consider imperfect. I embrace the fact that it isn’t perfect. Sort of like the Wabi-Sabi movement in Japan."
--His "mistake" cups are the ones he drinks out of!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Addy Awards banquet
Lastnight was wonderful. I bought the best color of red nail polish I could find, got ready, and went to Greenville for the Addy Awards lastnight. My mom came too and was proud of the awards. I'm glad she got to meet my professors.
I won a silver Addy for my Faber & Faber book cover series design, and a gold Addy for my tea packaging/branding. I had always dreamed of winning an Addy my Senior year, after going to see all the other Seniors win in years past. I am so thankful that I made it.
I won a silver Addy for my Faber & Faber book cover series design, and a gold Addy for my tea packaging/branding. I had always dreamed of winning an Addy my Senior year, after going to see all the other Seniors win in years past. I am so thankful that I made it.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
God and Poetry
This is a really good sermon that a friend posted. It speaks beautifully about poetry, lent, and silence. She says it's "one of the best sermons I've ever heard. But don't let the word 'sermon' throw you off." It's about 14 minuted long, and well spent if you have a small block of time.