Self Portrait Project

Portrait of a Woman

Joaquin Sorolla Y Bastida

Oil Painting on Wood

150 x 120mm 1922

Portrait of a Woman

Samuel Lovett Waldo

Oil on Scored Panel

70 x 90cm

1820

 

Portrait of a Woman, traditionally indentified as Lady Hervey

Angelica Kauffmann

Oil on Canvas

58 x 74 cm

1770

 

 

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I selected these inspiration pieces because they each had features that I needed help on. The first one had eyebrow that stood out and were detailed. The second one had mastered the realistic look of hair. The last one had a detailed nose which I had erased several times because I couldn't get it right.

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I selected pencil because it is the for me to use.  It is easier to erase errors and make things look smoother.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

The challenge I faced was drawing the eyes and nose.  My eyes never matched up and I erased them probably about 10 times. Even after taking the picture I realize they were still uneven. I had a lot of difficulty drawing a nose it either looked to big or too small.  I overcame it by erasing it and trying something different each time.

4. How does this piece represent you?
This piece represents me as it is a portrait of myself. I tried to capture my eyes which is probably my most prominant feature beacuse I emphasize it with make up. I always use a liner on top that wings out which everyone knows that is how i do my make up. I tried to show this in my portrait.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I applied texture in this piece in my hair. I know I didn't do such a good job with it because I never drew hair but I tried to do it the best I could.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I didn't mind it, it was just difficult because I never draw human beings. It is hard to make it look realistic

7. What do you think of your final artwork?

My final piece isn't as bad as I thought it would look. I definately could use shading in it if I knew how to do it correctly.

Blog Reflection

1. Which projects did you review?

The project I reviewed was “The Dark Side of Love” by Vernnon Sullivan.

2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?

The first reason I selected it was because the title seemed interesting.  Another reason was my exhibit was actually about love so I thought it was interesting to look at an exhibit complete opposite from mine.

3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?

One challenge I faced was coming up with words to what I actually thought. I had to look at all the pieces individually and think of what the message they sent me and if it connected to the theme.  After I got started it became easier.  It was easier to critique this article becomes it was dealing with raw emotions that I could personally connect to.

4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?

I don’t mind critiquing other peers work.  I feel that it’s more helpful when another student tells me how my work is, rather than a professor at times, because they are on the same level I’m on.   For me it wasn’t uncomfortable as it may have been for others.  I like seeing the work that other people have done for the same assignment.

5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?

I personally would love to read any critiques that my peers wrote.  I would like to see what people think and they may see some errors or things that I could have done better that I didn’t see.

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?

I would rate my finished article with a 10 because I feel that I completed the task that I was supposed to.  I completely watched and read the slide show and was able to critique it based on what I saw.  I feel that my article it is well written as well as making sure my spelling and grammar were on point.  I also feel that my critique is a good reflection of the project I reviewed.

7. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I enjoyed putting my own style on the project and being able to pick the theme for my slide show.  The only thing I didn’t like was how time consuming it was.  It was hard for me to find pieces towards the end and pieces that connected to my title and theme.

AED 200 Reflection

1.      What were you expectations for this course and where they met?

After looking at my first post my original expectation was to become more knowledgeable about art.  After this course has ended I realize I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would. I learned about specific movements in art, the elements and principles of art, and how to critique art pieces. I feel that I know a lot more about art in general and have a better understanding of it. If in the beginning you asked me what the elements and principles of art were…I would say I have no clue. Now I can name them all and give specific examples to go along with it.

2.      Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your initial posting?

In my first post I had said art is pieces that express a deeper meaning.  I said I would define it as an outlet to express feelings, emotions and stories.  After reading my original thought, I still stand by how I defined art. Art in my opinion is everything you personally think it is. When I did the curator project I viewed pieces that have been seen by thousands, but I had my own personal feeling and thoughts. Art pulls out these individual feelings which are their intended purpose.

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?

In my original post I hadn’t picked a favorite visual artist because I didn’t know enough about any to make that decision. Now that I have went through this course my appreciation for Leonardo da Vinci as an artist has grown because he was so much more than what I originally knew. He was not only a famous painter, but a master sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, and writer.

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?

After completing this course I feel the same about online courses.  I personally love taking online courses. I have taken several online classes and loved the freedom they allowed. I find that in school classes have more room for distraction. I tend to do a lot better with online classes because they are clear with what has to be done and has deadlines noted. I really feel that I learn more from online classes and truly enjoy taking them.

Week 15 Video Blog

For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Greenburg on art criticism: According to Clement Greenberg, "writing about visual art is much tougher than writing about literature or music". Greenburg felt some of the best criticisim he ever read was the criticism of music.  He says the great critics of the past like Ruskin and Sylvester weren't philosophical but knew the nature of the value judgment. He mentioned that he knew how to read, and that he knew that art. Greenberg claimed that true art is a product of the Enlightenment's revolution of critical thinking, and as such resists and recoils from the degradation of culture in both mainstream capitalist and communist society. He also felt good art could come from anywhere, you just have to be receptive to it. 

An introduction to the Italian Renissance: The Renaissance is marked by a renewed enthusiasm in the arts and many Italian artists contribute to its development. The byzantines artists followed set rules that protrayed their religions, and were not allowed to created realistic images that mimic gods work. so byzantine work became flatter and flatter. Giotto is one of the first artists to revive the realistic style of the Romans by using perspective found in architecture and landscape. Giotto influenced many artists. Cabinet makers and goldsmith are also artist, they carve and shape, hammer and chissel, therefore they are considered to be artist as well. Masaccio's figures reveal physical and psychological depth. He also shows emotion in his art. In the sculpture "David," Michelangelo drives for perfection, creating a powerful symbol of the Republic. The painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Florence represents man's relationship to God. At 14yrs old he was given free access to the gardens with particular artworks. Michelangelo was convinced that by creating physical beauty he represented the essense of the super natural and of the devine.

Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

Both videos do relate to art critisim. The first was a video inteview with an actual critic and the second seemed as if it was a father and son talking about the sons journey, yet the father was criticing each artist his son came across. He also got a little history lesson in there as well. 

What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?

As i learned a lot already about art throughout this course, these videos was kind of a refresher for me. I learned more about michaelango from this film and the italian renaissance. Art is history and there is always a lesson to be learned behind it. Overall art is whatever we want it to be.

Art Curator Relection Journal

The process for creating this project was definitely quite lengthy.  I had spent several hours working on this.  After picking my theme which is love, I had searched for any pieces that had to do with two people showing some sort of affection.  I used some pieces that were quite heated and passionate while others dealt with flirtation and shyness towards a crush.  The reason I picked this topic is because there is no emotion that is more true and raw than love.  Most people have already felt love or will feel love at least once in their life.  For that being a relateable feeling it made it easy for me to really connect and indulge in pieces that have the same emotion.  It amazes me how an artist can capture this emotion and feeling which is so strong. After picking out the pieces I was going to write about, I picked them apart to what I personally thought they meant and combined it with what I researched. I also kept in mind the elements and principle of art and included it into each of my criticisms. After all was said and done, I organized my PowerPoint and added color.  I chose Red to be throughout my slides because the color signifies love and passion. Overall this project was quite time consuming but I am very happy with my results.

Video Review

1. The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art- This video discusses "lowbrow" art and the views that people have of it. Some of the influences of Lowbrow come from comics, hotrods, rock and roll, and Cold War imagery. Many also associate Lowbrow styles with pornography. Lowbrow artists generally do not like the term "lowbrow" because they feel it is first of all a label, and second of gives of the implication that the art is cheesy or not truly artistic. 

Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach- This video on the Tate Approach discusses a thematic way of displaying art. The Modern Tate divides the themes into four categories, which consist of landscape, still life, history, and the nude. All four of these categories are very common themes in art, which help coordinate the pieces and those who view them. 

Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology- This video discusses the controversy and struggles that come along with archaeology. Specifically, we are introduced to a Native American woman who gets word of remains being dug up from a grave. While the remains of white people are reburied, the Native American remains are used for study. This was considered to be a form of discrimination. Instances such as this have lead to court cases and variety moderation's made to the rules and regulations of archaeology. It is also very common for museums to have many remains in storage for their own study. 

An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and The Metropolitan- This film discusses Philippe de Montebello and his 31 year career as director of The Met. During his career de Montebello had worked to acquire over 80,000 pieces for The Metropolitan. His view of art and goals as director influenced this well-known and respected art museum. 

2. I feel that these videos will help me steer me in the right direction for my project.  I will keep them in mind when trying to think of creative ideas.

3. I found these videos to be very interesting, especially the video on Lowbrow art. I think the Tate Approach also provided insight to themes for our project.