Allusions/Illusions

It's crazy to see how the mind can be tricked to see things that don't exist. I think the majority of the world's population loves to see artwork that deals with illusions and transforming space that are simple yet ingenious. I really enjoy art that speaks to the people so that ones who may not be exposed to art as much will still be able to digest it and get something out of the experience or exposure to it. I guess relevance is the key?

This is the work of Regina Silveira who is an artist from Brazil.

Here are three pieces that I found out about this week in class that I really like.

This last piece reminds me of a tunnel or a doorway that leads to endless possibilities. It is a surprisingly soothing piece.

Plant symbolism research

Leading up to today I have been working on researching different types of plants that I could potentially use for my series this semester. I have been trying to find plants that fit the personality of the people that I have been interviewing so that I can begin making small drafts of what I want each piece to look like. 

Some of the categories I have sorted some plants into are Love, Happiness, Healing, Protection, Purification, Wisdom, Endurance, Strength, Growth, Prosperity, Peace, Comfort, Hope, Hidden Worth.

Some of the plants fit into more than one category so I think that will help my concept so I won't have too much clutter but enough content. I am also thinking about using different perspectives of each item so that the viewpoint is not always the same. 

In addition to researching plants I have also been doing some color research to find some refreshing colors that are peaceful and energetic, and may symbolize growth. 

So much stuff to read!! More later....

Interviewing progress

I have begun my first few interviews already for my series and so far they are going pretty well. My typing skills however are not as up to par as I have hoped and I worry a bit that I may miss or have missed something when people are still talking. I think if I ever did this again then I would want to bring a recorder or something.

I do love the interaction that I get with the people I am interviewing though. Because I know most of them so well, sometime I can kind of anticipate what they might say in response to one question...there is always some nugget of info that surprises me still. I love people and I especially love the ones that I get to hear from because while it may be something I know a little bit about from their past, it's completely different to to hear them tell their own story and explain their own character to me. I think I definitely made a right decision in adding this process to my artwork because I know it helps keep me on the right track of telling their story from their point of view. I would never want to make a piece based on what I think I know about them without having a conversation with them first. If that makes any sense....

I am really loving the work I am doing now and I wouldn't mind continuing this series in the future to be honest. I am just worried because other people in the class have already started turning out drafts of their work and I still have nothing but these interviews and I don't even have all of them yet....

Tribute

To James Turrell. What a bad ass!

Had to read an article about him last week in class and it was really inspiring to find an artist so dedicated to his artwork. I find it fascinating how he is so meticulous with all the details. As someone who also has a meticulous personality when it comes to their artwork, I feel like I can really relate to that.
While I haven't gone to the same lengths of research or put in the same hours, I hope to find something that I feel really compelled to spend so much time with. Also, now after learning even more about him it is now on my bucket list to visit the Roden Crater sometime before I die. haha Or just a entire show of his, but we will see what will come first!

Advanced Concepts

This semester I will be completing a series that addresses the issue of abuse from a different perspective. I won't be depicting any form of abuse at all but rather showing the strengths and admirable qualities about the victim. Often times, people see abuse victims as victims to be pitied instead of strong survivors. I have several people I am close to who are some of the strongest, mature people I know. It is for these people that I am making my series.

I am going to use plant imagery in my series to help illustrate the strength and growth of the people I know. I plan on interviewing them and choosing a quote from their interview to inspire individual pieces. These quotes will be used as the title for the piece because without it, a viewer wouldn't necessarily know what my series is about.

An artist that helps inspire my image is Danielle Rante. In this picture, she is working with cyanotypes and plants. I like all the details that she includes in her images that are delicate and purposeful.