Blog Reflections

1.       My expectations were that I could learn a way to see the meaning of art and the way to what an artist is trying to express. I think they were met because I have a better understanding of how artists use art to express things. Also how critics and curators decide on what art to buy and what to not, and how they separate them in genres.

2.       I still think art is the same as in my original posting. I’d still define as something someone creates to show or express something.

3.       I still have a love of Van Gogh, but I’ve seen other artist now who catch my interest especially the lowbrow artists. I wouldn’t call them my favorite but I do rather like them, probably because their images aren’t abstract and that they use pop culture to express things in their artwork, and create images that aren’t  completely realistic still have enough realism to be recognizable as something. And also that they are very free with their colors and ideas. 

4.       I liked the online course, in fact I’m taking another next semester. I didn’t have an opinion because this was my first online class, but it was a good experience overall.

Self Portrait

I virtually toured the National Gallery in the UK. 

Screen shot of website

Self-Portrait at age 63. Rembrandt, 1669

Self Portrait at the Age of 34
1640, Rembrandt

Self Portrait in a Straw Hat
after 1782, Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun

Picture of me

Self-Portrait

1)      I chose the three pieces I did because there from what I have noticed, seem to be fewer self-portraits of female artists than men. Therefore I chose the one of woman, seeing as I am female, so it’s much easier to use that perspective. The Rembrandts were chosen because I’d only seen the one of him as a younger man, and it was interesting to see him much older and how he had changed with time. So I put them together to compare them.

2)      I used pencil because it is a media I often chose and it’s one I have the best control over, therefore I thought I could get the best product from it.

3)      The challenges I faced were my lack of skill at drawing human women. I am pretty good at drawing men, but I have a hard time doing the softer features of woman. To overcome this I tried using a harder lead, I started with a 3H pencil and used that and then outlined with an HB one. I also made sure to make eyebrows thinner and slim the jaw. It also helped to keep the pencil extremely sharp to not make too thick lines.

4)      It represents me in that is a realistic drawing of me. It is what I mostly look like, so I went for the more literal than symbolic representation of myself.

5)      I used value in the shading, line in the construction of it and my glasses, and shape for the glasses also.

6)      I liked looking at other self-portraits, but did not really enjoy drawing myself as I kept getting frustrated with it.

7)      I think the final artwork is ok. It certainly isn’t my best, but for my lack of practice and hesitance going into it I think it turned out alright.

Links

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/rembrandt-self-portrait-at-the-age-of-34

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/elisabeth-louise-vigee-le-brun-self-portrait-in-a-straw-hat

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/rembrandt-self-portrait-at-the-age-of-63

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/

Project Four Refelection

This project I did like any other. I spent time thinking about the theme, which changed according to what was available on the resources given. My first idea was to be about art made about Revolutions, but I was only able to find a few in the archives and none of the ones I wanted when I had it in mind. The second idea was politicians but that would be boring, even to me, who is a history major. So I looked through the galleries and found this picture of a Russian Dance, which I rather liked, and looking through I saw many drawings of dancers. I chose to one about them, because I love drawing and looking at pictures of them because of how they move their bodies and amazing. And also great anatomy practice. The anatomy of each of the images was beautiful as well. Also there was images from all over the world and time periods which I liked that diversity, and that there were dances depicted in all sorts of media, not just paintings. So I went through being particularly chosey when looking at the images. There were so many, so I chose ones that would show multiple dance types and media types. And ones that would cover different cultures and worlds, not to mention time periods. The problem I ran into was that there were very view of men, so I made sure to use them in there, to cover all dancer types. After the choosing it was just a matter of explaining why and what I though they meant.

Module 13 and 14 Video Review

1.      The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art It is a form of art that is extremely different from any other art form, but it is hard to classify what is lowbrow since there is no one form of it. There is a variety of things that factor in and the only similarity is that it is very different from classic art. It started around the 40’s. This art type is very much into pop culture scenes an extreme expression and representation. The main idea is to tell a story without having to guess it, for it to be right there clear as day. It is not accepted in most art museums and is there is considered to be no value in it. The inspiration comes from TV, comic books, propaganda posters and music.

BBC Culture show: Tate Modern is 10! These explain how Tate Modern Art took off. That there was a huge change in the art world. Eventually many began to see this art as art and not this weird collection of random objects. It especially became a large deal when Queen Elizabeth visited and gave a speech at the museum despite not being known for her love of modern art. It is one of the largest modern art museums today. The Tate Modern is the most visited modern art museum and attracts thousands of people a year.

An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and The Metropolitan Museum of Art explained that Philippe de Montebello was one of the longest directors of the Metropolitan Museum, and in the time he got over 84000 pieces of art for the museum. He even managed to get an extreme rarity a Vermeer painting. Today the museum has over a million pieces of art that expands all genres of art, including fashion, where the museum started out as only European art. The video also explains how new pieces of arts are brought into the museum and how it is decided on what to buy.

2.      The videos helped in that it explained how you classified things and what fit in with specific themes or genres. Also how certain typed of are classified in the modern world.

3.      I found them interesting in how curators remain very aloof and try to see value in all arts ignoring their own personal favorite style. The lowbrow art video was particularly fascinating for me and I find that art style much more appealing than the pop art or minimalism. In fact I found that art style just as interesting and amazing as classic art, both are very appealing to me.

     

Module 12

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I selected “Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the '50s and '60s” because I have a fascination with the changes which occurred in those time periods especially the differences in all the arts. It is interesting to see how people went from something conservative to loud and expressive in just a couple decades and how it grew to be something completely different.

The second was “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image”, which I chose because I have heard of him and everyone knows at least on f his works, so figured I’d get some background on him.

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

In “Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the '50s and '60s” I learned about artists who make abstract art and how abstract represents feelings and emotions through colors and movements. It seemed that many of the artist were focused on feeling and were able to express this through abstract rather than realism.

“Andy Warhol: Images of an Image” was about how he went from a commercial artist to an advertising artist. Also how he was inspired by famous icons and the current events of his time and expressed them through his special way he created images.

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos explain abstract art and how it was a movement. It explains more in depth the meaning of their art and why specific things are designed that way they are and how it is more about emotion.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I thought the films were very informative. The Andy Warhol one was ok, but the other was especially interesting as it went through multiple pieces of art and explained them and what they meant. I am not really a person who understood abstract art, but the “Abstract Expression” video helped me a lot to look at it, interpret it, and understand its meaning.

Module 11

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I chose Dada and Surrealism because I have heard of Dada but didn’t know much about it, so I figured that I’d chose that video to get some background information and understand what it was.

The second video I chose was expressionism. There really wasn’t a particular reason for my choosing it other than it was an art form and tied in with the pervious video I watched.

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

The key concept for the video on Dada and Surrealism explains how both reject the idealism of their societies, instead they capture thoughts and ideas by taking images and reimaging them as chaotic shapes and ideas.

The Expressionism video explains and show that expressionism is just to express emotions and be able to convey them. For emotions to be the main focus of the image rather than the object of the painting.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

These relate to the reading in the text because it explains these art types more in depth and shows how they work by using works of art and explaining the symbolism behind them, and shows the thinking process that may have been behind it.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts

The films were interesting because they explain the concepts by showing you with the works of art that fit into the genre or type they were talking about. IT then explained how it fits in that category and why it was painted in a specific way. Also way certain elements were used and others weren’t. 

Art Gallery Visit 2

Step One: The Exhibit

1)      “The Gazing Ball” is the title.

2)      The theme of the exhibit is poverty, as the statue is base heavily on Pablo Picasso’s work during his blue period an especially a painting of a child reaching for a bowl.

Step Two: The Gallery

1)      The lighting is bright, with lightings not directly overhead but set to the sides at an angle point to the art works.

2)      The colors of the walls are all white.

3)      The materials seem to be regular building material of drywall and plaster, painted white.

4)      The movement is a mix of easy due to the open space but slightly confusing due to the maze like set up of the walls.

Step Three: The Artwork

1)      The art works seem to be organized by their genre. I noticed abstract and more modern art is put together, where older art and realism are kept together.

2)      The art works are similar in their painting style and colors as well as genre. The more modern arts all have bright splashes of color, where the older things seem to have a more grey or darker color scheme and aren’t as starkly bright as the modern ones.

3)      The artworks are different because they are by different artist and styles so though they have similar color schemes they are different and of course depict different things.

4)      Modern art work is framed in regular metal frames that complement the art work because of its modern nature where the older portraits and artworks have frames which are carved wood or metal and are quite large.

5)      The artworks are labeled with a small sign about a foot to the right of the artwork.

6)      The artworks are about five to six feet apart so one doesn’t get in the way of the view of the other artworks.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

GEORGE SEGAL (AMERICAN, 1924–2000) CINEMA, 1963 plaster, illuminated Plexiglas, and metal overall: 118 x 96 x 39 inches (299.72 x 243.84 x 99.06 cm) 

The sculpture is of a man, done in white plaster, with an illuminated screen behind him. It is a sculpture of a man putting up the sign that displays the movies playing at a movie theater. The bright lighting of the screen behind him makes him have a silhouette when there are no bright lights being put on the sculpture. 

The principles of form,space, and emphasis were put to use in this artwork. Form in that it is 3-D, space is used as the figure is off to that side therefore leaving the screens wide open, and then emphasis due to the back-screen being lit up therefore cause emphasis on the figure.  The figure just reminds me of those signs at movies theaters, which I think is what it was suppose to represent. I think the artist was just trying to convey a memory of the fun of going to the movies and the work that goes into making the presentations of the movies for people to enjoy them. 

Jeff Koons (American, born 1955). Gazing Ball,  2014. Plaster and glass, 70 x 77 5/8 x 40 3/16 inches (177.8 x 197.2 x 102.1 cm).

This is a sculpture of a woman and child. The child is reaching for the bowl of food that the adult is giving to her. There is a gazing ball in between them and the woman has multiple purses on her arms.
The elements used are form, contrast, proportion and balance.  Form is because of course it is a 3-D artwork. Contrast in that the purses and gazing ball have color where the rest doesn't. Proportion in the size different of the woman and child. And balance in that the woman an child are in balance with one another in the way they are built. It reminds me of someone giving charity to another. I think that is to show charity an how those with greater means, hence the woman having multiple purses to show her money and she is giving  a meal aka charity to someone with less. 

JEAN METZINGER (FRENCH, 1883–1956) DANSEUSE AU CAFÉ, 1912 oil on canvas framed: 63 x 50 5/8 x 3 1/2 inches (160.02 x 128.59 x 8.89 cm

This painting is of cafe, it shows the chaotic and cluster of the building. 

The principles used here are shapes, color, and movement. The image is cut into triangles with small areas without. The colors are brown soaked with swatches of blue and red and white. Movement is from how the female to the right looks like the woman is walking or dancing an that a man is watching her. There also looks like there are people in the background. 

I think the painting is showing a tavern and all the goings on in it. It is showing the culture of it with smokey white patches almost like tobacco smoke, the drinks showing alcohol consumption and the people all there for the entertainment, whihc is taking the form of a dancing woman. 

http://www.albrightknox.org/

Visiting the museum mainly to look at the architecture was an interesting because you were looking at the way people put art together therefore how the human mind compares and contrasts art work and groups them in a way. Also how the specific way something is set up allows for greater understanding of the artwork. It also allows a better view of the artwork and to see it how the artist meant.

Module 10

1) I selected the video Hinduism and the video Buddhism. These were chosen because in my global studies class we never went into detail about these religions where we did get in depth with Islam and Christianity.  Therefore I decided I wanted to learn more about these two religions instead of reviewing the others.

2) The Hinduism video explains how their religion is show through their art and architecture. Also how they accept other religion and worship many gods which they display in their art work. They do not build large temples because they believe they can worship anywhere, but they do build many small monuments covered in art work.  

Buddhism explains the origin of the religion. Much of their art is a step or a stupa, into enlightenment which is the point where all earthly wants are let go and you are content. The person going on this journey is known as the pilgrim. Also a great deal of Buddhist art is very symbolic and has many meanings designed into them.

3) The videos relate to the reading in the text because the text explains how the religion uses art and how it affects their religion, where the videos explains in depth the and how it relates to the religion. These two concepts being brought together help a person understand the religion and their art much easier.

4) The videos were interesting. They helped me because I can visually see the people practicing their religion in the videos instead of it just being described in words. And how they use the art and see it, compared to my own view of it, which is two completely different ideas. 

Mask Making

 These are the masks I used for inspiration. I chose the blue Chinese mask and South American mask because they reminded me of cartoons from when I was younger, those being Avatar the Last Air bender and Emperor's New Groove. The other two  I chose because I just found them interesting to look at, and I liked the animal like detail they have in them.
The blue Chinese mask is demonic type mask, that uses large teeth, large horns, and a wrinkled brow to express angry and violence. Deer Dragon mask is a dragon like mask that has a built with a muzzle to make more dragon like look, where the deer aspect comes in in the way the antlers are built. South American mask  is a human like face that is male going by the beard-like structure. The final mask is obviously suppose to be a hybrid of human an animal with the slit nose but human mouth and brow.
The elements that I found to be in the masks were balance, all of them are very symmetrical. They also used texture, for instance in the silver Chinese mask, the lines that are engraved in the mask help make the mouth snarly and the nose like an animal's.  The South American Mask also used texture to show what I believe to be a beard.  On the Deer Dragon mask pattern is used to show scales of the dragon, but there are also patterns used on all of them to keep them balanced. There is also a great use of form to make them 3 dimensional and more realistic. Color is also used to show contrast between pieces of the masks and bring forth certain aspects, such in the blue Chinese mask that white of the eyes and teeth immediately shows contrast of the blue skin, making you notice them. Shape is also used in the South American mask.

The sketches are above.

This is the finished mask. In it I used balance, unity, color and lines to make it. Lines were used in the eyebrows, golden strip from his mouth and the hair at top. Unity is used in the colors as the black, red and god seem to go very well together. The balance comes from me attempting to make it as systematical as possible like the rest of the masks. I used color ti make certain things stand out, like the white teeth and horns. The bright gold to make detail stand out against the black.
I like my mask. It's kind like a demon but more playful. I really thought about the two Chinese masks when creating and wanted to keep in with their theme. But I also wanted to add my own twist which is why he is smiling and looking rather jovial. I also made him black to nod to the blue mask, but gold to add an element of  South American Mask.

Module Nine

1) I chose “Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance” because of the first chapter for this section was about the Renaissance and Da Vinci goes hand and hand with that period. Also I never really studied him in depth so it was interesting to learn about him. The second was The “Drawings of Michelangelo”, which chose because he is my favorite Renaissance artist so I picked that to learn more about him. Also to see how he approached making his master pieces.

2) In “Leonardo da Vinci: The mind of the Renaissance” he shows about Da Vinci’s life. How he was encourage from a young age to use his skills and how he studied not just art but all areas. Also he considered himself a military tactician and weapons creator, and displays his ideas for structures in Milan, where continues to do works. He creates inventions and paintings, but he more often is experimenting with his sciences, and creates entertainment with them at Milan. Here he studies architecture and studies anatomy. He eventually returns to Florence and here unveils many of his most known master pieces like “Mona Lisa”, he died at 63.

“Drawings of Michelangelo” explains his life and the difficulty he faced as he planned and painted the Sistine chapel. How he had a fascination with the male body and his drawings showed the ‘perfected’ male body. Also shows his drawings of the paintings and sculptures he created. It fascinates artists looking at the beginning drawing and the complete art work. His art also displays a movement that few others can replicate.

3) The videos relate to the reading because the reading explains how there was a return to showing humanity and its beauty that the Romans and Greeks had, that seemed to disappear for a time. In the videos it show the masters are studying the body attempting to show it in all its glory and how beautiful it is. The videos show the return to trying to recreate the human body with that spark of life in artwork that occurred during the Renaissance. Also how the masters were fascinated by this and pushed it further by exaggerating figures like the Romans and Greeks to create the perfect human and show their beauty.

4) I liked the films. I especially like the Michelangelo one, it is reassuring to see that the masters also struggled sometimes and had to try again. It adds depth by explaining through visuals what the reading tried to do in words. By seeing the concepts compared to real artwork and ideas it is much easier to understand.

Art Making/Materiel Exploring Drawings

1) It wasn’t really different from what I am use to since I have drawn my dogs from looking at them, not from pictures. Although it was nice to be able to not have to refigure the drawing because the subject kept moving.

2) Pencil because I figured when I switched to my left hand it would give me more control to make nicer lines, also I figured that that the drawing done with my left would smear if I used charcoal because of how much my hand rubbed on the paper. I stayed with the pencil with my dominate hand so that the images would be comparable.

3) To create a drawing with my left hand was odd because my left hand shakes a little and of course doesn’t have the muscle control that my right has so the line wouldn’t come out straight. This meant instead of doing longer lines I just drew short lines and did not get as in depth with the shading.  I kind of had to rethink my method of drawing, which was confusing and I also kept wanting to switch to my right for finer outlining and things, but I had to remind myself not to.

4) The drawing done with my right is obviously the better of the two, but I do like how the drawing done with my left came out, it is sketchy but looks like the subject. I would say they are successful in seeing how motor control in the hands works, but not of what my hands look like, as the drawing with my left doesn’t have the detail that the other does.

5) I’d use for drawing plants and trees since the lines wouldn’t be as controlled but that is ok for drawing like that as it gives it a more real feel. I wouldn’t for things like faces or bodies due to the fine detail needed to make it look right.

Drawing with non-dominant hand

Drawing with dominant hand

Module 8

1)      I selected the “The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure” video because of the pervious video ending on the Riace Bronze statues and the Greek idea of what was desirable to exaggerate. The second video I figured would tie in with the previous and expand on the Greek culture and their view of the human body. Also I found the topic interesting and wanted more information on it.

2)      The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure discussed the expansion of Greek interest in the realism and making a human figure as pleasing and athletic as possible. It described their transition from Egyptian style to a much more realistic style. Also how they studied and worked to make things life-like but exaggerate features to make them even more visually stunning.  How in all their work there is still mythology which is tied into to their religion and still managed to create life-like statues. More Human Than Human describe how it is mentally ingrained in the human to want to strive for more perfection than possible, especially when to do with the human body. That this desire can be suppressed when culture demands, but will still come out, just in different ways for each culture. Also that it is still very much present in our modern society. This instinct to exaggerate humans to extremes has been around for as long as we have replicated humans in art as well. It is also this is present in other animals, due to the seagull experiment of them finding the three stripe stick better than the one because you are exaggerating what their brains find desirable.

3)      The readings in the text explain why when you examine art you have to look at it from the time period and the culture to decide if it was ‘good’ or not. It also goes into individuals who have pushed the boundaries and pushed art forward into a more life-like area or changed the way it is done and how this influenced their society. The videos show how art has changed and has been influenced by what the culture perceived as the perfect body and what they felt need to exaggerate on the body.

4)      I found both videos interesting. I especially like how the More Human Than Human described the changes in what the culture perceived as beautifully and how cultures learn from others to advance their own art, and how all seem to have a fascination with the human body, even today. 

Module 7

1)  “Architecture: The Science of Design”, this was about how to design a structurally sound building that won’t collapse and will last throughout time. Two of the important things that are needed when building difficult structures, such as skyscrapers are steel and concrete. Concrete has been around for  very long time, and buildings made out concrete during Greek and Roman times have remained standing to this day. Steel is more recent discovery, but it is very important in skyscrapers due to them being at risk of high winds and other hazards.  By using steel buildings become more resistant to winds and a more solid structure. These two materials are used a great many buildings today. “Frank Gehry: Architecture as Art”, is about how he goes about designing buildings, which he sees as his art. He explains how he is inspired by various designs from the past. Also that architecture is art and he has to apply principles of art to his design and convey specific things through his buildings and design. The trick though is he also has to aware of the structure and foundation to be sure his building is safe. His buildings also must reflect the location from which they are built, to fit in with the culture and history of the area. Also since the terrorist attack of 9/11 architects now have to be more careful in size and structure of buildings because of the risk associated with these attacks.

2) The reading on texts show the basics and ideas of architecture. It explains how the structure is established and thought about to become solid and to remain standing. Also how there is an artistry to architecture and it is the same as a painting or sculpture. The videos explain why the basics are important and how these ancient techniques are applied to modern buildings and have been expanded so we can now create gigantic structures like skyscrapers. The videos also explain how these new structures have now obstacles which ancient techniques can be the basis to the solution.

3) The videos were interesting. The one on Frank Gehry, was especially because it give me a more in depth look at how architecture can be an art and how architects are artist in their own right. The skyscraper video explained the application of the basics and why these are so important to building. Also how these gave way to the kind of buildings we have in the modern day.

4) I chose the videos I did because to see architecture from the architect’s point of view and see how they get inspired like other artists was an interesting concept for me.  It explained how architects apply principles of art to things to make the building mean or symbolize a specific meaning. Also how they take things like how the lighting of the area will effect the building. The second video was on the basics of architecture.   I chose it because how can you understand something without understanding the design process, it would be like not learning basic bone structure and trying to draw a realistic person. Basics are always very important to learn.

Module 6

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

For the “Through the Eyes of the Sculptor” the key concepts were the processes involved in creating a life-sized or larger craved statue. It first showed the step of drawing and planning the artwork, then sculpting using clay, a cheaper material that is easy to manipulate and make into a form. Then to make the plaster mold and then the plaster version. Then to sculpt the huge version. Also how things like balance and fragility play a large part in the creation of the piece. It shows the time it takes to make the statue and key concepts that are required. And that the original idea may be a single persons but the work becomes a collective group of people having to work together to make it. The “Glass and Ceramics” videos show the concepts of making glass and creating glass figures and structures and how it is used in many things. That glass starts as sand, that can be made in to an endless possibility of things and creations. It showed how regular glass is made, the differences in making stained glass and how the glass is made for architecture. Also how firing and material used to make the glass has a tremendous effect on the glass and must be taken into account. And like the sculpting all aspects must be taken to account. 

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos give you a visual on the concepts that the text described therefore making it easier for you to understand and the work involved in creating art. It allows a deeper understanding of how are is created and made, which is what is described in the text.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

They show you what each is and what classifies as each. Also they give examples of each of the three topics, which gives you a much deeper understanding of what is trying to be explained in the book because it is being shown to you and not dependent on your imagination. I found that they were interesting due to the showing the artists processes and especially in the sculpting video, how artist flock to certain places and find inspiration in the same things and places as other artists. That the same thing can inspire people yet the outcomes are completely different, even though the inspiration is the same. 

Peer Responses

1.       The blogs I commented on were http://artsygee.blogspot.com/, and http://laurasuki.blogspot.com/

2.       For the blogs I reviewed I did see all the principles of art in their images and I agree that they fit into what they were supposed to. In a couple I saw multiple principles in a few of the images, like for a couple of the ones that was used for unity I saw texture and color. Also in the shape and form there was color as well.

3.       No the blogs I reviewed did not have any of the same images as me.

4.       Yes, Paul Sharits (1943-1993), Declarative Mode 1C, 1976-77. It reminded me of those old machines that create graphs, you see in older movies that my mother and I watch together. I’d like to know what his inspiration was for it and what he was thinking when he made it.

5.       It is interesting to see what others connect with their take one different pieces of art. Also how many of the images used for the elements were similar to one another, but not completely the same. It is interesting to see how it can be so similar but so different. I think having other look at your work is good because it gives you more insight into your own art work and creativity.

6.       Yes I find it good to know that my art makes sense and that I am understanding what is being asked of me. Also that it is representing what it is supposed to. 

Logo

1.       Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.

I tried to think of things that described me and what I was known for. It was a challenge to keep things simplistic like logos are rather than extensively detailed like I like to do. This was something I had to really keep in mind. Colors also presented a problem because I didn’t want to use shadowing and I couldn’t change it to a bunch of different shades or too many different colors. To solve that problem I decided to use colors that are often found in logos and together, in this case, blue, yellow, red and a small amount of black.

2.       Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.

The first thing I did was look at other logos, none in particular, just a variety of different ones that came up on google when I typed in logos. I then compiled a list of things people think of when they think of me. Big ones were being smart, art, my dog, my glasses, history, England and loyalty. So that was what I decided to work with in the creation of the logo. I knew my dog was a big one since I talk about him like he was my child and my glasses were the other. These were easy enough to show in an image. But I wanted to work with other things as my first sketches show. The first sketch is a little too detailed and is cliche for a student so it was scrapped. The second was my initials with glasses which sounded good in my head, but not on paper so I threw it out. The third was a mix of my dog, love of history and initials. The final is the head of my dog, although more blocky so it is more doggish than it actually, my glasses and an exclamation point to show an idea or intelligence. The color is backwards of my dog, he has  a blue collar and yellow fur so i switched them in the logo and the red looked good with the rest. 

3.       What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?

I discovered it was difficult to portray all my ideas in a simple piece. Also some colors don’t go together right if put together in a specific way. It is also very difficult to portray things like loyalty and other traits in an image. 

4.       What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos, PowerPoint, and reading material for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?

 The thing I learned was it was very important for the image to be pleasing to the eye. Also that the simpler and easier to recreate the better. The reading material and PowerPoint were useful, but the videos were a little dry, and boring, though some parts were helpful.

Art Gallery

A.)   Which artworks make an impact or impression on me? Why?

The first artwork that makes an impression on me was “The Mariana Piccola, Capri”. It was painted with oil by Albert Bierstadt and was done on canvas in 1859. It made an impression on me because the Marina Piccola Capri is a real location known for its beautiful beaches, but in the painting the beach at first looks peaceful, but then you see the pointed rock, that looks more like a ship and the rocks near the coast, which could lead to destruction of ships. These images paired with the grey clouds, gives you a feeling of hardship and work, rather than rest and relaxation. It is just very different from what one thinks when they think of Marina Piccola Capri.

                The next artwork was “Untitled” by ARTURO HERRERA, and it was done in 2006 in graphite and coffee on paper. It makes an impression because it is almost creepy and dark, even though light colors take up a large portion. The more you look at it, the more you see hooves and legs as if it is depicting deer, but the  black slashes throw you and how you feel off. It leaves and impression because it could be happy, but because of the strategic position of the black, it completely changes the meaning.

B.)    Which artworks do I feel a connection with? Why?

I connected with “Etude Pour Le Pont De L’Europe”, which translates to The Europe Bridge, by Gustave Caillebotte, done with oil and in the year 1876. This one caught my eye because the grey tones and heavy coats, but sun shine depicted in the image reminded me of Buffalo in the winter. We can have extremely cold temperature, yet the sun still shines. Which in my head is what this image is showing, a mid-winter scene.

        The next one I connected with was “White Barn” by Ralston Crawford, done in oil in 1936. This was chosen because it reminds me of my great aunt and uncle’s dairy farm in Pennsylvania, a place I have many fond memories of. Especially since when you go on the hill in the field that pictures looks very similar to their house, only lacking the trees they have.

C.)    Which artworks would I like to know more about? Why?

The artwork I would like to know more about is “Temple to Albers”, by Richard Joseph Anuszkiewicz, painted in acrylics in 1984. I want to know why he chose this particular color scheme because although the picture doesn’t show it, in person it moves as you do it. I want to know if that was intentional or if it was a happy accident that that happened with the image. I just have questions.

               

                “Traits, Plans, Profondeur” by František Kupka, painted in oils, started in 1920 and finished in 1922, was interesting to me. It is interesting because it looks like many things, for instance a flower, or a peacock. My first though was a stain glass window, but more options become open the more you look at it. So my question is was there an original image in mind that was changed? Is that why it can look like so many things or was that intentional?