Concentration #10

My concentration continues to change along with my sources of inspiration. This week, I felt inspired to create a piece in the nature of Stormi Gignac's work. Like Stormi, I focused on minute detail and intricate design patterns to abstract a form. By breaking down this tree into many different parts and creating a design pattern within each part, I have created a piece that successfully shows abstraction.
To create this piece, I used only colored markers. I first drew the outlines of my objects, broke them down and simplified them, and then used my markers so create interesting internal designs. This attention to detail emphasizes the complexity found in nature.
This piece clearly shows the transition my concentration has gone through to become more focused on abstraction. Because I was able to have fun with this piece, I wanted to spend more time than usual working on it and it resulted in a highly developed piece. The busy lines, dots, swirls, and squiggles create an almost dizzying effect, but at the same time make it that more intriguing. I'm happy with this final product and plan to complete my remaining concentration pieces in a similar manner of abstraction.

Concentration #9

This piece doubles as part of my concentration as well as part of my application to RISD :). This piece shows a definite shift in my concentration. To create this close up image of a splashing water drop, I moved beyond the two dimensional piece of paper and created a three dimentional paper sculpture by cutting out the shaded "splashing water" and making them stick out of the page. The only medium I used to create this piece was graphite pencil to give the droplets value. The final product shows a radiation structure through the ripples and the droplets that emerge from the page. I took a risk by making this piece, but I feel as if my risk resulted in an interesting and engaging piece.

Concentration #8

For this concentration piece, I felt inspired to create an image full of movement and intricate detail. I chose to create a contrast structure using maple seeds (aka helicopter seed pods). The contrast of gravity gives the image a really interesting realistic/abstract feel. To create this piece, I layered acrylic paints, metalic paints, and markers. The dripping lines of paint create engaging leading lines to draw the viewers eye down to the bottom left corner toward the concentration of helicopter seeds. The lines in combination with the falling seed pods give the illusion that the helicopters are spinning through the air as they drop to the ground. The detailed dots tracing the paint drip lines also emphasize this falling motion. I am pleased with my color choice the variety of values in the artwork and feel that overall, it is an interesting and engaging piece. I really had fun making this :)

Concentration #7

With this piece, I feel like it is clear that my concentration has evolved. I have moved away from the human element that I previously incorporated in my art and am now focusing on the elements of design. For this piece, I used a combination of acrylic paint and markers to create a radiation design structure. The trunks of the trees create the centrifugal radiation as well as giving the piece a sense of space and depth. I like the hectic and detailed marks in the bark and in the canopy of leaves- the brushtrokes and lines give the piece an energetic feel.

Concentration #6

Clearly this is one of my weaker pieces at the moment. I plan on continuing the pattern at the top throughout the piece to make it a little less distracting. I then plan to bring the black up more so that the patterning in the background fades into black so that the fern fronds in front stand out more. I realize this piece needs some work. I feel that is I take the time to sit down, play around, and experiment with this, I would finish with a really interesting work.

My plan was to design a realistic fern in the foreground of the piece and then have an abstract fern design that I repeated throughout the background. I used a combination of watercolors, water soluble crayons, and markers to create this piece.

Since I plan on continuing this piece, any advice would be helpful :)

Concentration #5

This piece is quite different than my other concentration pieces while still having a visual connection to the whole concentration. I wanted to create a piece with a stronger exaggeration on abstraction this time and chose to make the subjects pine cones. While studying a branch of real pine cones, I noticed the repetition of the shapes that make up the cone. I planned to focus on these shapes and try to break them apart while still hinting at the real object. With black acrylic paint I created the negative space around and woven inbetween the "petals" of the cones. From there, I used a combination of watercolor and Sharpie markers to fill in the white spaces with interesting designs and patterns. Continuing with the human element, I included images of the human body with my designs. The piece turned out very bold and almost hectic, but it gives the feel that nature is alive and pulsating. I'm unsure if I like the silver marks I created around the objects, so let me know what you think. :)

Concentration #4

Here is my fourth concentration piece. Continuing my theme of abstracting nature, I created this on water color paper with similar mixed media I have used for my past works. I started off with a watercolor base by using water soluble crayons, layered acrylic paint and went back in to redefine my shapes with colored Sharpies. There is a fairly large amount of contrast and a wide value range throughout. The mood gives an almost busy, fast paced feel, as if the water in the stream is rushing to get somewhere. The choppy surface of the water and the swaying water plants give it a sense of rhythm and movement while the similar shapes throughout the piece add a sense of repetition. The human figure that can be seen in the plants helps to abstract the work. The idea of reality is conveyed above the water, but below it seems a bit more dreamy and unreal. To further the differences between the air and water, I used warm, light coloring above the surface while beneath the surface I chose to use cool, deep colors. I would love to hear any comments or advice because I know this piece could be improved! In this upcoming week, I am going to try to redefine my concentration statement to make it more specific and clear to the viewer. Thanks :)