Life Drawing at NIU

Final Drawings- In Class Progress

2009-04-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

These drawings are from our final drawing in class yesterday. Most of them are partially completed. I'll post finished pictures when I collect them on Monday.

Also, there are higher resolution pictures posted on Flickr here.

Kathie Webb show assignment #5

2009-04-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

I thought that Kathie's show was absolutely amazing. Her technique and craftsmanship was unbelievable. She was a teacher of mine last semester so I new a little bit about the amount of time she was putting into all of these projects. She is one amazing person and for her to put together all of these projects while dealing with many trials and tribulations in her life is astonishing. I really liked the pieces of work that she included her daughter in and I thought it was very clever for her to take pictures of all of the places she had worked on her project. It defiantly fit her personality to display this. I also really like the piece of work called Everyday #2. She said it took her over 500 hours to finish it. That is an unbelievable amount of time. It showed character and it was beautiful. I also enjoyed the piece named Self Portrait age 3. It had beautiful colors!

Overall, Kathie did a fantastic job and Im really proud of her!

Assignment #6

2009-04-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

This isKathe Kollwitz "MOTHER WITH CHILD IN HER ARMS" at the Printmaking Exhibit- NIU Museum and Matt Taylor's "WITH REVERENCE AND AWE" at the Jack Olson Gallery. I found both images fit very well together when comparing the emotion. Obviously one is very happy and one is very sad. The mother with her child shows how much joy and love can come out of life and its the little things that make us happy. To have someone to love and make you smile is priceless.

On the other hand, "With reverence and awe" shows how lonely and depressing life can be and how alone you can feel. The boy has no one with him and he is in a blank space. It definitely has a sad feel to it.

I was very impressed with both images and they spoke to me emotionally while viewing them. I think everyone has had a time in their life where they felt like both people in each image!

2009-04-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

The two different pictures that I chose were Mother and Child by Kathe Kollwitz and one that I didn’t get he title or artist of (though I did take a picture and was hoping to be able to read the info from the picture that I took but it was too fuzzy). A lot of the artwork stood out to me but I was able to choose these two that I’d like to talk about.

When you first look at them you don’t really see much in ways of similarities. I really liked the Mother and Child one where you can see the emotion that’s going on between the two. The closeness and the love going on between the two is something that makes you think of your childhood or so.

The other piece was one that caught my attention because of (truthfully) the books and the one person in the front reading. I love to read and can get lost in the stacks of books. I love the way hair falls down and hides most of the features, allowing you to think of the person as anyone you’d like it to be. They both have separate feels, one lonely and the other closeness. They both have to deal with simple or few colors. The one you have the main focus on the two people and the other has the person in the corner and not as easily detected as the main person/focus except for the red color. The meanings aren’t the same type either. The main meaning that pops into my head when I first say the Mother and Child is something along the lines of ‘the bond between mother and child’ because of the expressions and focus on the two. The meaning that I get from the other one is something along the lines of ‘knowledge can be overwhelming /never-ending’ because of the fact that the person looks smaller than the books/and the mountain of books.

2009-04-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

Kim Strom's record: i don't know who people are does not feature individual's faces clearly, or even the figure as a whole. Each piece is unique and can hold itself on its own. But together they form a series in which you want to know what the story is going on in those selected scenes. One may not know who these people are, but one is certainly intrigued by the moments from the 'good old times' captured on film. Making the pieces black and white gives that aged feeling, but also the lack of color gives a uniformed look. If there was color, that would also be open to interpretation as well.
Poikilothermal Reverie (part of The Search Triptych) by Driesbach, like Kim Strom's piece is divided into 3 pieces of work, all that can work on its on. All of which that engages the viewer by having them interpret what exactly is going on. As per the setting, one can tell it's from the past (the woman on the top right is holding a candle). However it is interpreted as that the various 'temperature' of colors suggests various degrees of consciousness (which would have not been interpreted if it were black and white). The man reclining is said to be dreaming about the events taking place above him. In contrast to the piece above in which you don't know what people are thinking or doing, but certainly can see what the reclining man is dreaming about.

Print Exhibition/Ars Nova

2009-04-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Anna Kenar, Flight

Käthe Kollwitz Death, Woman and Child, 1910
Death and the Woman Encircled the Child, 1911

I feel that both pieces address death. Kenar’s Flight takes an abstract approach finding figure and meaning through juxtaposing elegant forms. These forms may appear to be bones, muscle or feathers. This approach of death forms faceless decay. Flight proves that there is beauty in what is rotten.
Kollwitz works through figurative meaning in addressing death. Death, Woman and Child is of a mother and child in embrace. Although death does not take on a figurative representation, it feels very much present in this work. Kollwitz returns to this image a year later and produces Death and the Woman Encirlced the Child in 1911. This is a much stronger image than her first interpretation. This child looks thin almost wasted and the mother face is much like Kollwitz’s own. This reflects Kollwitz’s own lost of her son. She gives a chilling celebration of the bond between mother and child as the mother tries to shield the child from death.

I think that Kenar and Kollwitz share great attention to the mark making. The planes are defined so delicately that the forms just emerge.

Blogg

2009-04-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

This "Shellac" poster (sorry its tilted) was in the Jay Ryan show at the Altgeld gallery. It was hard to pick a favorite, as the prints and posters were all so well executed and appealing. Anyway, i picked this one because its centralized composition caught my eye, and I happen to be a fan of radio towers and stars. The color scheme is succesful in its vintage approach, and Ryan's signature graphic style shines through in his comic line treatment. I envy his handcrafted design sensibility, as well as his choice in typography. I would pay a reasonable amount of money to own this poster, and i can't wait to take a printmaking class!

The title to this painting was something like Route 40: View From the Road.

Foolishly, i neglected to write down the name of the artist of this piece, but i suppose that's irrelevant anyway, cuz i don't the person who made it, so it might as well be anybody's. That said, its still a great painting, go look at it in the gallery. It's photorealistic, and its just downright melancholy. The grayscale works for the content. The brushstrokes are perfectly uniform, and I get the sense it took some time to complete this work. This looks like America to me, on a bad day. But this painting makes that a good thing.

These are late.

2009-04-15T11:16:00.001-07:00

Theyre biologically inspired. My ceramics teacher referred to them as ovaries.. these are both part of an assignment that we had to use organic line for. I ran with that term. This picture is bad. I don't have the best camera in the world, and I'm far from a photographer.

Final Portfolio Requirements

2009-04-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

The final Portfolios are Due Monday April 20th at the end of class.

Requirements:

5 long poses (30 minutes or longer) using value (reductive or additive).
2 pages of gesture drawings

Presentation:
You must have a protective sheet over each of the five value drawings. You can use newsprint or scrap paper for this. Put the whole thing into a folder made from paper, and label it with your name, and class # (200 or 201). Place it in the flat file in the drawing room.

Final Project Details

2009-04-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Two Is Better Than One

Description:
For this project we will be combining two figures into one drawing. This will be a large-scale drawing, and you will be completing it in two class sessions, one for the first pose, and one for the second. You will have a ‘practice run’ the second to last week of class to test out your materials and the combining of two poses into one drawing.

Materials Needed:
- Your choice of Charcoal, pencil, conte crayon, or black and white colored pencil.
- 20 x 30” or larger BFK Reeves paper if using charcoal, pencil, or conte crayon.
- 20 x 30” or larger mid-tone pastel paper if using colored pencil.
- Sketchbook (must bring with you to class)

Schedule:

Wednesday April 16th: Bring in materials that you plan to work with for the final project. We will be using these in class for two long poses.

Monday April 20th: Continue working in chosen materials. Final Portfolios Due.

Wednesday April 22nd: Practice run of final project. We will be combining two poses into one drawing. You must have your sketchbooks with you this day; we will be using them to plan the setup of our final drawings.

Monday April 27th: Final Project – Pose #1

Wednesday April 29th: Final Project – Pose #2

Monday May 4th: Final Critique – You have the option of handing in your final drawings at the end of class, or you can make changes and hand it in by Wednesday May 6th at 6:30 pm. You can hand it in any time before then by placing it in the class’s file. Anything handed in late will be severely marked down.

Final Drawing Pick-Up: They will be in the drawer in the drawing room. You may pick up your drawings any time after 3pm on Thursday May 7th. Also, please make sure you take your drawing pads off of the shelves on the last day of class. Anything left over the summer will be ruthlessly thrown away!

2009-04-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

(Ailison Raffaele "Weiss") (Kathe Kallwitz "Non Sum Qualis Eram"

Ailison Raffaele's "Weiss" and Kathe Kollwitzs' "Non Sum Qualis Eram" both display a narrative through their beautiful but mysterious pieces. These works include darker values and small sections of brown and flesh color tones. Kollwitzs' spec of color is located in the skeleton's collar, while Raffaele's color is hidden in the face. Both pieces consists elegance such as Raffaele's carefree brush stroking for a floral background and Kollwitz's detailing for the hundred dollar bill. Both portraits seem to capture beauty in their dark surroundings. Benjamin Franklin is cast as a skeleton on his bill while Raffaele shows a beautiful lady hidden behind her long dark hair.

Kollwitzs' and Raffaele's pieces differ by media and interpretations. "Non Sum Qualis Eram" consists of screen printing on wood panels. As I approach Kollwitzs' piece, by how far these wooden panels exceed off the wall, the artist uses this method to not only create depth but bring out her message. The skeletal Benjamin Franklin on his one hundred dollar bill interprets money can nor purchase true joy but slowly brings death by greed. "Weiss" contains a ray of mixed media. From my perspective, the piece looks as if there are many types of washes, stains, and vanishes. "Weiss" captures the sad truth behind first impressions for physical appearance and not test their personality. The female portrait contains number facial piercings ( In my opinion, I enjoy piercings) though others will see piercings negatively. The floral background and the woman's thumbs up presents she is still beautiful and kind in the society though she hinds her face with her long black hair that blends in the background.

2009-04-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Losbruch (Outbreak)

1902-03

Kathe Kollwitz

Flight

54''x 42''

Anna Kenar

I chose two pieces that both address the subject of revolution and a push against or away from some opposing force. Anna Kenar, in her charcoal drawing, used various techniques to portray a revolt and metaphorical flight, afterwards. Kollwitz portrayed a physical and personified revolution responding to heightened tension and rebellion in Germany at the time. Both have very active gestural drawings to add drama and action to the revolt. As well as strong line work is present in both to create motion and fluidity thought out the artworks.

The ways that Anna Kenar and Kathe Kollowitz chose to describe and portray their revolution are very different in order to enhance the different types and time period of the revolt. Anna Kenar's is slightly less active and smooth, organic lines that give volume to the mass of figure/s, whom seem to be rising above whatever it is escaping, taking place after the conflict. Kathe Kollwitz used variable line weight and a prominent line network to bring some figures foreword and create motion and speed throughout the piece. In the foreground, the personification of Revolution has thick, fluid lines giving her a sense of throwing her fists hard up in the air, applauding the rebellion. Whereas the variable gestural line network present in the mass of bodies or mob, makes the people look like they are moving after different speeds and in different directions. The contrast between the light, foreground figure and the abysmal black background enhances the explosive growth and add depth. In Losbruch, "Revolution" is a dark figure in the foreground, maybe to portray her as being bleak but needed in the forefront. Revolution also serves as a stable element in the etching, while the mob in the middle ground and background appears to be in full motion, charging foreword. Although Losbruch and Flight address the topic of break away or revolt against popular ideal or an opposing force, Kollwitz created a more dramatic and more active artwork using gestural line work when compared to Anna Kenar's use of contrast and smooth transitional linework present in Flight.

Assignment #6

2009-04-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

MATT TAYLOR- "WITH REVERENCE AND AWE" (Jack Olson Gallery)

Taylor's work portrays a very different meaning than Kollwitz piece. Taylor's piece is very depressing, sad, and gives off a sense of lonliness. This is executed by the body position, composition choice as a whole, and the materials choice. The figure has his head down, we see mostly his back, and his body is in an enclosed position. There is nothing placed in the background which gives of a sense of lonliness. The fact that the drawing is black and white also shows that it is a more depressing piece. If it were in color, the same effect wouldn't exist.

KATHE KOLLWITZ- "MOTHER WITH CHILD IN HER ARMS" (Printmaking Exhibit- NIU Museum)

Kollwitz work is also in black and white and there is nothing placed in the background, but the way that the work is displayed (mat board, and frame), and the body positions of the two figures gives off the opposite effect/ meaning than Taylor's piece does. The two figures embracing in a loving way, in an enclosed space shows that this is a very happy, wonderful composition. Unlike that of Taylor's which was depressed, lonely. Also the fact that there are two figures (not one) and that we see their faces smiling shows that they are happy. Both of these piece were wonderful to look at.

Daniel Ludewig's picks

2009-04-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

These two pieces are entitled "Life Force" by Jacob Von Loden, (poster/ part of the student exhibit) and "Die Gefagener/ The prisoners" by Kathy Kollwitz (part of the Altegeld exhibit). There was a lot to choose from in the Altegeld hall. It was hard to choose one, but I picked "the prisoners because it kind of had the same theme that "Life Force" had. Life force has a little more pinash in it because I think it's supposed to be a movie poster. It has nice cool colors, unlike "the prsioners". Both of these pieces share the same morbid feeling. I noticed that there more death than life in the "Life and Death exhibit of Kathy Kollwitz". These two pieces have more in common than differences.

The texture of both pieces are articulant and help create movement (especially in "The Prisoners"). Both pieces bring the lighter parts of their composition to in the middle; this makes everything else sink back. One thing that "Life Force" posseses that "The prisoners" lack is a background. The "Big Ben" in the background gives a certain gothic/modern feeling. Where as in Kollwitz's piece, I dont know what group of people are being imprisoned. Besides no background, I think that "The Prisoners" is the stronger piece. It's very intense with wrinkles in the clothing, the muscles, and the tense facial expressions make the viewer read anguish.

Blog Assignment #6 - Ars Nova Student Show and the Printmaking Exhibition

2009-04-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

For this assignment you need to visit both the Jack Olson Gallery for the Ars Nova Student Art Show, and Altgeld for the Printmaking exhibition.

1. Pick a piece from each show and post a picture of it on the blog along with the artist’s name and the title of the piece.
2. Write a 2 paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the two pieces you chose based on each of their meanings, and how the artists portray or communicate those meanings.

This assignment is due on Wednesday April 15th.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via my e-mail.

Links to the Shows (for hours and more information)
Printmaking Exhibition
Jack Olson Gallery (Ars Nova Student Show)

Assignment for Monday April 6th

2009-04-02T22:34:00.000-07:00

The assignment is to do a self portrait from life (no pictures). You should spend about an hour on this portrait.

Materials:
Charcoal or Conte Crayon
Paper:
Strathmore - 18x24"
Technique:
Additive or reductive.

What am I looking for?
- Good proportions.
- Good sense of where light is coming from (you can make this easier by using a strong light source).
- Good range of value.
- Attention to mark making and use of the whole page.

Week 9 - In Class Drawings

2009-04-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

Week 8 - In Class Drawings

2009-04-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Katherine Webb

2009-03-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

Katherine M. Webb’s MFA Exhibition was entitled “…it is what it is” was shown in the last NIU art gallery. Her work consisted photography, embroidery, linen, and dyed cloth. Overall, her pieces capture the motherly roles and experiences through everyday life. Webb’s colors, embroider detail, and small glimpse of specific scene displays motherhood.

Webb’s “Carried” presents a mother’s nurturing for her child. The image shown is a child posed as if the child is being held. The figure holding the child is only shown through a feminine hand. Due to this slender and dainty hand, the figure holding the child is a mother. Motherhood’s strong nurturing is represented by just one hand can hold the child. Webb’s detail embroidery elaborates on the child’s proportions, clothing’s, and hair. The dyed fabric is a walnut brown gradating into light beige. The cloth’s dirty effect reminds me of a child’s security blanket. Young children usually use these blankets for protection like a mother protects her child in the piece.

The piece “Everyday #2” illustrates a mother’s magic in the household. The image shown is a mother holding a larger and older child in a cluttered room. The mother’s blank face seemed stunned to find her in the mess. Fortunately, her task of comforting the child is completed and now she is ready to clean. Webb’s embroidery mostly shows all the tasks a mother completes everyday. There are bottles for feeding and backpacks to help with homework. The cloth’s high color contrast strikes out the emotional stride to complete a mother’s work.

Midterm Meeting Times

2009-03-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

We will be meeting in room 415, please arrive a few minutes early to hang your work.

Kayla - 10 am
Adriana - 10:30 am
Kim - 10:45
Marissa - Wednesday Night
Lila - 12 pm
Mary - 12:30 pm
Ashley - 12:45 pm
Dan - 1:00 pm
Zack - 1:30 pm
Laura - 1:45 pm
Lynette - 2:00 pm
Aaron - 2:15 pm
Amanada - Wednesday Night

Print Sale!!

2009-03-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know there is going to be a Print Sale on the second floor of the art building on March 18th and March 19th. Prints and stickers will be between $5 and no more than $50 and cash will only be accepted. Come check it out!

...it is what it is

2009-03-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Katherine Webb's ...it is what it is is a deeply personalized show of work. Webb used hand dyed cloth and embrodery to express the challenges of her life as a mother and as a way to connect with others. Pictures of Webb working on each piece in various settings makes me think of how much and how often she worked on them but also of how motherhood doesn't stop or pause just because your child isn't around or you're away from home.

Verbal is a set of very isolated images of hang gestures. If those hands were on just one large sheet of cloth, I think it would lose the closeness and the immediacy of the gesture.

Carried is also a very intimate image of Webb's daughter that just hints at Webb's presence behind her. The composition is central but the figure is at an angle which makes it interesting overall. This image feels very calm compared to Everyday #2 which feels chaotic and full of narrative.

-Kim

Daniel Ludewigs assesment of Mrs. Webb's sewing

2009-03-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

It's nice to see an old type of media being used and shown in an exhibit. Sewing is not just an old media of art, but a really old media. It makes one feel like their in the middle ages. During the middle ages and it was also common in the pilgram age to use everyday life in art. "I stitch images that reveal pure moments in every day life." - Katherine M. Webb.
"Historacally, women have used embroidery as a creative outlet for coping with the challenges of every day life." -Katherine M. Webb. I like how women can turn their repressed anger or energy into something positive. I liked " Self Portrait (at age 3)" because it has more colors than the rest of here pieces. I like the grean background, but you start to lose focus with the yellow stiching and the yellow in the middle.
"We are born with feelings that create the need for love, security and companionship." -Katherine M. Webb. How true. I think that is exactly what "Self Portrait" implies. What I don't think it implies is the title of the exhibit: "It Is What It Is". That's my mother's motto. I hear it all the time. One can see that phrase in plain sight with some of the other compositions. I think the compositon and the exhibit was a succesful one.

Kathie Webb MFA show review

2009-03-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

In our last class we went and viewed Kathie Webb's MFA show 'it is what it is. . . ' in gallery 214. Kathie Webb's works dealt with embroidery, dying, photography, and other medias. Although her works ranged, they all dealt with some type of life. You had the photography of her working on her work in different areas. You had embroidered people and trees and signs for sign language.

Some felt cluttered and full, like the Everyday #2 and some of the photographs, while others focused on specific things, like the Carried, Verbal, Barney. They were well organized in the space given and a lot of them were very colorful and eye catching. I thought that the layout of having the white/beige/photographs in the beginning of it and then the very colorful items on when you got farther in was a nice way to draw people in.

I particularly loved seeing the photographs that were taken of her working on her artwork in all the different areas. It goes to show that no matter where you are, you can work on it. I also find it a little interesting that in her works (except for a few in the verbal and a few in the photographs) she seems to always looks straight onto the subject matter. I find this interesting because she could have done it from different perspectives but chooses to put you in the seat of looking from the point of view as straight on.

Katherine Webb MFA Exhibition

2009-03-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

Katherine M Webb's MFA Exhibition was entitled "...it is what it is." and is a culmination of digital photography, linen, cotton embroidery, floss, and other hand dyed fibers. The reception was held conveniently on Wednesday March 4, 4:30-6:30 in Gallery 214. The fist artwork exhibited is Katherine Webb's collection of digital ark works entitled The Journey on the left and to the right a divider was set up resulting in walking through a more intimate enveloped setting when viewing her fiber art pieces.
The Journey consisted of the digital photographs taken at different intervals in the process Kathie Webb uses to create her two dimensional fiber artworks. Each photograph is important to understanding how Katherine Webb uses embroidery to document and understand real moments in her life, such as being with her daughter and the intimate moments with her family. Formally the photographs have an excellent use of line. The picture plane always have two or more stable horizontal or diagonal lines, such as the ruler, the cat, and the windows and hand bars on the bus. They all also share bold beautiful red, gold, and blue hues.
Each fiber artwork is similar in material make up, linen, cotton embroidery, floss, etc.Although Katherine uses formal elements such as color and shape to assist in conveying and in turn understanding the life moment the artwork is to portray. In Carried a presumably heavy child is being carried. Although the only part of the carrier you see is the hands, one can tell they are straining by the position on the child's body. The colors of all the artworks are especially appealing and bright, such as Self Portrait Age 3 's greens, but I feel that the chocolaty warm browns of Carried are comforting, reassuring, and create a calm enduring atmosphere. Her figures are constructed using beautiful illustrative line and smooth shapes that achieve weight and an overall careful and loving "motherly" artistic touch. I enjoyed Katherine Webb's
MFA Exhibition, her artworks successfully give insight to appreciating the simple intimate moments in life that will someday be just a joyful warm memory.

2009-03-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

The Journey is a series of photographs that shows Kathie Webb's progress throughout her journey until the final unveiling of her show. From touching moments to moments showing her undying dedication to her pieces. The majority of her pieces consist of dyed linen, embroidery floss, and hand-dyed embroidery which showcases certain moments of life.
I observe that there are some meanings behind the color choices:

Barney: The purple linen is quite reminiscent of the big purple dinosaur. While being contrasted by the green embroidery, also a feature of Barney.
Self-Portrait - Age 2: The area of concentration is in the center, brought upon the yellow hue in the center. The flowers surrounding the figures act as a picture frame, and also enhances the figures as the center of attention.
Everyday #3: The colors used is reminiscent of the colors in the sky: Mid-day, dusk, sunset, while balanced by the green used as grass.

I particularly enjoyed "Everyday #2" from the show due to its complexity. The figures are the main focus of the piece, but they are surrounded by busy, yet simple details. I feel that every time I look at it, I will find another detail I missed the previous time. Craftsmanship and time is a winning combination especially seen in this piece.

Blog Assignment #5 - Kathie Webb MFA Show - Review

2009-03-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday in class we went to Katie Webb's MFA Thesis Show 'it is what it is...' at Gallery 214. Our assignment is to go to the show and then write a 3 paragraph formal and conceptual review of the show and post it to the blog. The assignment is due Monday March 16th. If you were unable to attend class on Wednesday, please check out her website for more detailed information about her work.

Here are the pieces from the show:

1. The Journey
2. Carried
3. Verbal
4. Everyday #2
5. Barney
6. Self Portrait - Age 3
7. Everyday #3

Kathie Webb Exhibit

2009-03-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Kathie Webb is a fiber artist whose show is being exhibited in NIU’s art museum. Her show titled “…It Is What It Is,” consists of photographs and embroidery. There are photographs of Kathie displayed on the wall in her exhibit, of her embroidering in different places such a bus, plane, bathroom stall, and so on. Her embroidered pieces are small and large, and some are in a series.
Kathie’s hand stitched pieces “reveal pure moments in everyday life through repetitive motions of embroidery.” She creates fiber art to communicate through her hands. She wants the observer to interpret these gestures.
One of the pieces I was intrigued by the most is titled Self-Portrait, Age 3. Kathie created this using linen, cotton embroidery floss, and hand dyed embroidery. Kathie’s background (the linen) was a brighter yellow color in the center of the composition and slowly faded to a darker green on the outside of the fabric. Over the center of the image two figures were embroidered into the fabric in red and yellow string. It looks as if it were a child holding a baby. Around these two figures were all sorts of flowers in a variety of different colors. The composition is strong because although the flowers around the figures are colorful and the figures are a mute yellow and red color, the viewers eyes are focused and led back to the two central figures. The composition and color choice ware very strong. And although there is a lot going on in the piece it doesn’t feel distracting or chaotic. The whole piece is done using contour lines, and there is no space or depth to the piece. The exhibit overall was very interesting.

2009-02-25T15:50:00.000-08:00

8 3/4 x 12 3/8 inches; 224 x 304 mm.

The title of this piece ("Daily Bread" , etching) by american printmaker Ralph Fletcher was what drew me in at first . I was not expecting to see pigeons when i clicked the link, but that's what makes it interesting: the narrative quality. It looks like the opening shot to yet another boy--becomes-man-and-makes-his-fortune movie set in the big city (there's way too many movies like that, but nonetheless). I respect his treatment of line and value in the offset composition, and the diagonal from the focal/vanishing point emphasizes the size relationship between the birds and the buildings. The subject is not exactly riveting , but it is well-rendered, and I appreciate the all the detail. Once again, the title, for me, is integral to the enjoyment of the piece, because without the substance of the title the whole work fades into the "decorative crap" category. That sounds a little harsh, but that's ok because he's selling this thing for $1, 000 on the website, and that's just ridiculous.

In Class Week #6

2009-02-25T15:12:00.000-08:00

Mid-Semester Portfolio Review

2009-02-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

Requirements:
{ } 5 – 10 Minute Drawings
{ } 2 – 2 Minute Gesture Drawing Pages
{ } 1 – Page of Drawing of Hand or Hands
{ } 1 – Negative/Positive Space Drawing
{ } 1 – Drawing with Value (whole figure)
{ } 1 – “Inspired” Drawing
{ } 1 – Skeleton Drawing

Presentation:
Please fashion some sort of folder for your drawings so that they are held together. You can make this out of paper or cardboard. They will be due at the beginning of class next Monday March 2nd.

I will bring a sign up sheet on Monday for individual meetings after Spring Break. We will be going over your portfolios and discussing your progress and grade in the course.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail.

2009-02-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

Marla Friedman

at Marla Friedman Studios http://www.marlafriedman.com/

Ahri and Izadore

oil on canvas

30x40 inches

I was inspired by this piece two completely different ways. Firstly the concept was inspiring in that it is an eccentric young mother holding a heavy child, what some people consider a burden, and still smiling and looking on the bright side of life. This piece was also inspiring technically with Marla's use of her medium. The highlights are very subtle but still prominent. The weight of the child in her arms is accurately displayed and one can almost feel the woman pull against the baby leaning with her arm and see the way the baby fabric reacts. I also can appreciate the way the body was successful portrayed. The woman is given less muscle tone and smooth complexion effectively making her look younger without making her look boneless.

Assignment 4

2009-02-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

While looking through the available pictures on the 360 See gallery’s website, I came across a few pieces from Chris Crites’ series in which he created acrylic portrait pieces on paper bags from actual mug shots. The piece I decided to put up is titled “Theft from Coin Operated Device”. I am always drawn to pieces with a printmaking quality in them. This series, for example, are all, or at least appear to be, screen-printed. I admire the simplification of the initial subject, while still involving very detailed areas. I also enjoy the use of complementary colors to accomplish a sort of glow, even on such a bland surface as brown paper.

My favorite Chicago Painting/ D. Ludewig

2009-02-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

Jim WaidLift Off, 2007acrylic on canvas, 60x72 in.
Jean Albano Gallery215 W. SuperiorChicago, IL

When I first saw this piece, two words came to mind: color and chaos. The artist's palatte has an unlimited range. If one looks closely, one can see the transition from cool to dark. This is why I like it; because it's peculiar. The cool colors are in the are in the foreground and warm colors are in the background.
The piece is chaotic because there are so many shapes, sizes and colors all thrown into one composition. The piece is far from being dull; this makes it successful.

Assignment #4 Finding Inspiration

2009-02-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

The artist that I find inspiring is Voytek. The works deal with oil on canvas and looking at all that was done, they look very moving and beautiful. http://www.atlasgalleries.com/display/artists/artists_all.cgi?id_num=10156&styleid=13&related_item=1&page_number=all A bunch of his pieces really stood out to me but you asked us to pick one specifically and I decided to choose The Winter Rodeo http://www.atlasgalleries.com/display/art_work/art_work_large_image.cgi?id_num=10156&styleid=13&large_image=25015. I love the movement that was employed in the background and how the focus and clearity was mainly on the horse and the rider and the dirt that's flying near their feet. I find it very action packed and I really enjoyed it.
-Jessica

Finding inspiration, Dominic Paul Moore

2009-02-25T11:38:00.000-08:00

Dominic Paul Moore

Put This in Your Mouth

Dominic Paul Moore has a knack for making creepy imagery. I love the stark background because it leaves me wondering about the context of the situation. The tubes are going into these peoples mouths and it makes you want to gag, but it feels like there is a truth that says something about the way we were brought up to consume.

This kind of mysterious and chilling imagery is something i'd like to incorporate more in my own work.

Moore maintains a blog

-Kim

Maria Nucci

2009-02-25T10:13:00.001-08:00

Maria Nucci uses graphite and oil to alter drawings in such a way that makes them ethereal on the paper. The forms themselves are sometimes headless, human silhouettes. They're lyrical and somewhat grotesque, frightening to be alone with, but still graceful. I like her use of line, and its variations in thickness and value as it crawls around the page to make up these really weird creatures.

Assignment 4- Finding Inspiration

2009-02-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.tonywightgallery.com/artists/doe/images.html

This piece is called New Mother No. 142 (Cover Story), by Don Doe. It is gouache, ink and pastel on prepared paper. I enjoyed this piece the most out of the pieces I found from this artist. I thought it was the most realistic, the other pieces have more distorted figures. I think this piece is very successful compositionally because of the flow from the top where the wine glass is, through the shape of the figure and then back to left and back up where the womans legs meet the baby's. The drawing does seem heavy on the top though because of the blue, which is not balanced well on the bottom, I would have liked to see more blue somewhere else, maybe in the shadows of the legs.
What I enjoy the most about this drawing is the sketchy quality. I like that you can see the pink color of the paper showing through most areas as the mid tone color. I do however wish there was more of that quality in the baby's skin. If you look at this artist's other work, you can see even more use of the background paper color being used in the figures.

Allen Bentley's 'Gasp'

2009-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Allen Bentley's 'Gasp', 2007, is size is 30x37.5 and its medium is charcoal on paper. It's an moment caught in time with the dress swirling; hair flying; neck arched and muscles are tensed- a moment of wild abandon- this is what caught my eye. The diagonal composition adds to the action. The background is soft and muted as if there is nothing else- but this moment. The dancers are boldly drawn with strong highlights and shading adding to the intensity of the moment. The title is perfect. It takes this moment to a physical level that the viewer can imagine and relate to.

blog assignment 4

2009-02-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

The above pieces were created by Bill Stone using oil paints on canvas. His placement of the human figure develops different shapes in the piece and as a whole. I really enjoy these pieces by the expressionist brushstrokes captivates hidden emotions. The sharper and bolder the brushstroke, gives the viewer a threatening approach. The blended red and black strokes seems to become the harsh environment scraping inside the human figure as the strokes blend into the Male's red shirt. The human form contains a gesture drawing with minor detailing in the muscles and face. The piece's importance is shown through the gesture movement in the figure's pose. A notion of fighting is shown through the tensed and slanted shoulders with a clutching fist.

NUDE 14

2009-02-23T20:25:00.000-08:00

by Scott Stoltman (Graphite: 14"by16") at the Leigh Gallery.

This was just jaw dropping gorgeous: the shading is amazing, the tuning into the fine detail (such as the veins on the arms and hands), and a good use of space.

The figure is nicely positioned, using 3 sides of the paper. The artist also uses his graphite wisely by means of shading. The audience gets the feel of light, dark, and midtones, which brings forth the unique characteristics of the figure. Scott also pays great attention of detail to muscular detail and the veins of the figure.

Blog Assignment #4

2009-02-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Mary Borgman

Portrait of Daam Tapiwa Barker (standing)

Charcoal on Mylar

96" x 42"

I was drawn to this piece for two reasons: one I am always drawn to portraits, and two this was done in charcoal which I think is a difficult medium to master, and this artist definitely did master it. The artist was successful because she used value to really punch out the darks and lights that needed to be punched out. She also made this man extremely realistic, the portions are correct, the hands and the face are very realistic. I also like the position the man is in. He isn't just standing there straight, he has his weight on one leg and his arms and hands are in different positions. This makes the piece interesting to look at.

In Class Work - Week 5

2009-02-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

These are some pics from our critique in class last week.

Blog Assignment #4 - Finding Inspiration

2009-02-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Due Wednesday 2-25

One of the best ways of finding inspiration as an artist is to take small cues from those around you who you admire. For this assignment, I want to to go to the following website:
C hicago Gallery Listings
And look at some of the web pages of the galleries in the different gallery districts. Most gallery websites will have a listing of the artists that they represent along with pictures of each artist's work.

I want you to find an artist whose work you really enjoy, and post a link to one of their drawings or paintings that you think is really successful (You can also post a picture of the piece if you are so inclined). I also want you to explain in your post why you were drawn to the piece you chose, and what compositional elements the artist used to make the piece successful. Please include the artists name, the medium the artist used, and the title of the piece somewhere within your post as well. I am not expecting these to be longer than a paragraph or two.

The last part of this assignment involves printing out a copy of the piece you chose and bringing it to class on Wednesday. We will be using these pictures as compositional inspiration for our in-class drawings, so it is very important that you have this assignment completed on time.

Also, I would like to remind you that the four gesture drawings of foreshortened feet are due in class on Monday.

Dan Devening

2009-02-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

I chose this particular painting by Dan Devening. I was drawn to it the mostly because of the use of color. A blue rounded rectangular object that dominates the canvas looks somewhat like a radio, a tv.. something wired from the back. I relate to the concept because I feel "plugged in" all the time. I stare at a computer all day at work, I go home and stare at a computer while I do my homework, when I want to unwind I watch a movie on a tv or a giant screen.

This is me, a little blue square with a bunch of wires, a little off center and overlooked.

Push, Pull, Scrub, Drip, Drip

2009-02-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

The pieces I related to the most were "Happy Donut" and "Volare" by Tracy Miller. I thought they were successful because they made use of representational images within a mostly non representational composition. I thought the detail in the representational images was enough for you to recognize the image but it was loose enough for it to work with the style of the non representational images. I related to these pieces because they reminded me of my busy life. My days seem really busy so when I get a break it is really significant. To me, the compositions seem like my busy day but then you notice the few representational images, the remind me of the breaks in my dad that kind of hold me together.

painting show homework

2009-02-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

I feel like I relate to this piece because when I looked at it, it represents what I feel at this time. You can see a face and how it seems to be buried or hidden under a lot of swirls/strings/whatnot. At this point in time I feel like I’m buried under the pressures of school and family and life in general. You’ve got the different colors and the face that looks so sad/alone. I like how the swirls/strings/whatnot is indiscernible so that it could be anything. This picture just caught my attention and made me think of it as anyone in life today and I saw how it related to my life.

2009-02-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

I really dug "Yellow Table" by Dan Devening (2006, oil on canvas). It looks terrible in the photo i took, so i really recommend seeing it in person. I thought it was a clothesline at first, which for some reason I found interesting as it was, but upon closer inspection you can notice all the subtle color and line he utilizes, and it really pops. He also uses very diverse texture and brush stroke direction. The things he painted look to me like many things: chromosomes, people, rope, graffiti, chains, pipes, etc. I really dig it.

Happy Donut by Tracy Miller

2009-02-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

I like this piece for it features a wide variety of colors as well as concepts. A definite eye candy for me. You don’t necessarily think of a crab when it paired up with a donut, nor clams paired up with a Ho-Ho. Also I think it may be a ice cream sandwich on the right that seems to be topped off with an umbrella. I really love the hues used in this painting, and the ways she used them as: outlining, dripped, circles. Also the difference between the drawing of a clam (not really colored in) versus the floral décor on top (could be a fan, cut-off apron?) But I think this painting suits me, and honestly, if it were some purse or hoodie, I would go for it. Also, I agree with Kim: This would sum up Katamari!

2009-02-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

I really liked all of Tim Doud's paintings. His paintings were so realistic and life like. I really liked this particular painting because the foreshortening of the left arm was done very nicely. Foreshortening is probably one of the hardest things to do successfully in a piece of work.

Tool, by Jim Lutes

2009-02-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Tool, by Jim Lutes is an abstract painting that overlays color in away that draws the viewer into the painting. At first I didn't notice the face trying to see through the muck of muted colors but, as I appreciated the color play, I was rewarded with it's surprise. I relate to the face searching through the muck of lifes responsibilities and feeling overwhelmed at times. It could also be seen as the man in the painting looking out into the real world with his own issues muddying up his perceptions.

Happy Donut, Tracy Miller

2009-02-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Donut
Tracy Miller

This painting is so much fun and it has to be viewed on an empty stomach. It has a real intense energy that gives a sort of sugar high just looking at it. The color and line move your eye all over the painting. It is filled with so many little objects that you can sit down and play I Spy.
The paint application varies from thin washes to thick globs. You can see that during the painting process Miller tilted the canvas to create drips. I think if I were stuck in a Katamari this is probably what it would look like.

-Kim

Push, Pull, Scrub, Drip, Drip...

2009-02-10T18:40:00.001-08:00

Top Piece: "Soft Spoken" By Lynette Mikl Bottom Piece: "Tool" Jim Lutes

I relate "Tool" by Jime Lutes to my mix media painting "Soft Spoken." Both pieces involve similar techniques and visual composition. My mix media piece involves acrylic washes, translucent modeling paste, feathers, zippers, and handmade paper. "Tool" contains tempera and oil washes on linen. In "Soft Spoken," a scribbling background creates a unique pattern while displaying the word soft spoken. "Tool" involves a scribbing overlay but these impressionist lines are free flowing like the feathers and handmade paper feathers in "Soft Spoken." The portraits in each piece are in opposite areas. Both potraits show an overwhelming release. In "Tool" , the face is in a relaxing release while "Soft Spoken" contains a shocking release.

Amanada's Relatable Artwork done by Jim Lutes

2009-02-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

This is a painting by Jim Lutes entitled "Put Me Away", (2008). I can relate to this formally because I sometimes feel the need to experiment with color, setting different hues near each other to see the outcomes, and having a lot of fun expressing yourself. I also can relate to and am drawn to artists using expressive brushstrokes. Conceptually I relate to this artwork through the conflict between the sad, gloomy hippopotamus/eagle/house begging to be "put away", exhausted from the daily grind and that it is over fun and silly composition. I experience the blues and above else just want to be at home with my legs drapped over a couch or coffee table.

2009-02-10T10:51:00.001-08:00

I picked this work of art Titled "What Did I Say" by Tim Lude. I think it relates to me because I have an amplifyer and play the guitar. The American Flag backround suggest Rock n' Roll as one of America's favorite past times. Some would view this not very contemporary but I disagree. The distortion of smoke and vibrant colors blur the main object. Like today's view on music is completley distorted. It's also kind of ironic because "distortion" can be found on any "amp" on the market today. The artists makes a clear and distinct point.

In Class Work - Week 4

2009-02-06T08:45:00.001-08:00

In Class - Week 3

2009-02-06T08:39:00.000-08:00

Blog Assignment #3 - Push, Pull, Scrub, Drip, Drip...

2009-02-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

Due Feb. 12

Pick one piece of art from the 'Push, Pull, Scrub, Drip...Drip...' show that you relate to in some way shape or form. Post an image of the piece along with a short description of the conceptual and formal elements that you thought were successful, or that you related to.

Here is a Description of the show from the NIU website:

Push, Pull, Scrub, Drip...Drip...

Exploring “surface” as a particularly unique characteristic of the painting process, this group of contemporary artists present a range of content and painting applications to achieve diverse and contrasting results. Curated by NIU Painting Professor Frank Trankina. Artists include Dan Devening, Jim Lutes, Dorothee Joachim, Tracy Miller and Tim Doud.

The following is a link to the website:

NIU Art Museum - Current Events

Assignment #3 -Push, Pull, Scrub, Drip... Drip...

2009-02-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

I chose this work of art from the show in Altgeld Hall, because it intrigued me the most. I love that it was a large painting that was done with oil. I also am intrigued by the amount of detail put into this piece, and the fact that it has such a simple subject matter; a close-up of a man sitting on a chair relaxing. My favorite subject matter is people in general. I am also trying to learn how to become a better painter so this painting by Tim Doud, really inspires me to try harder so I can achieve wonderful painting like he creates. Overall, the exhibit was wonderful to check out, but Tim Doud's work was definitely my favorite.

The painting with the lady by the window reminds me of this Carravagio

2009-01-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

assignment/post 1

2009-01-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

This is my final project from ART101. It isn't my favorite or best piece but it is still pretty cool. The assignment was called "fortunate soul" and my teacher Ben Stone gave everyone a fortune cookie and we had to interpret our fortune and then draw our interpretation. My fortune was "Good things come in invisible packages, you will be delighted". I played on the idea that sometimes people feel ignored or "invisible" but sometimes the person being left is very interesting.

Assignment #1 Kayla Kramer

2009-01-25T12:54:00.000-08:00

This is a self portrait I did of myself in one of my drawing classes. I used blue and white oil pastels. This isn't my favorite piece of work, but its close.

Blog Assignment #2

2009-01-23T11:17:00.001-08:00

This last week Andrew Wyeth, age 91, passed away. I thought it would be fitting to use two of his pieces for our first short writing assignment.
For this assignment I am asking that you write a short formal analysis in which you compare and contrast the two figurative paintings below done by Andrew Wyeth. I would like these to be approximately 2 paragraphs long (nothing too fancy) and written in the comment section of this post. You can get to the comment section by simply clicking on the 'Comment' link directly below this post.
Here are the two Images:
Dryad -1990
Lovers (Part of the Helga Series) - 1981
This assignment will be due on Wednesday the 28th of January.

Assignment #1 - Daniel

2009-01-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

This Week In Class

2009-01-23T10:53:00.000-08:00

The subject of our drawings this last class was the skeleton. What better way to start out a figure drawing class then with the foundation of the figure itself? Here are some progress shots of our skeleton drawings:

Assignment # 1 - Jessica

2009-01-22T21:42:00.000-08:00

Hi. Lets see how I do. Of all of the artworks that I've done, the only one that I have taken a picture of is one that I'm very proud of. I did it in Ben Stone's Art 3D class. This was where we made a 3D version of our heads out of cardboard. It took a lot of time and it was something that I had never done before. I decided to paint mine as a tiger on one side and a clouded leopard on the other. I cut it in half so that it was bookends. I love to read and the bookend concept conveyed that. I love wild animals (especially cats and wolves) and that's why i put it on there also because of the fact that I feel like a wild animal. Inside I'm wild and free but on the outside I'm like in a cage or trapped in society and my life. I had also wanted to put up a picture of one of my colored pencil drawings but I didn't have a picture of it.

Alo's Corner

2009-01-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I don't have my favorite piece with me, but I do have some runner - ups:

These are some of my digital/traditional pieces that I have done in the past. Cassie guessed correctly that I do draw anime. Usually how I go about it, I sketch it in pencil, then I ink it in pen (which the majority are except the second colored one - that was sketched and colored in Photoshop), and depending how I go about it, continue in various pens, or scan and color in Photoshop with a Wacom Graphire 4 tablet.

Otherwise in the school-related art:

I took this with my phone during (Drawing I) class because I was pretty darn glad with it. It has been finished but I don't have an updated picture.

And lastly, some designs I have created in ArtD 214 this past semester:

They likely have to be edited somewhat. I have a portfolio review at the end of the semester.
I have a blog on livejournal, a basically dead deviantart page, and a website of mine I am trying to construct but I have been too (busy, lazy, unmotivated, etc).

2009-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

This is a piece I did in my free time a few months ago- probably not my absolute best piece of work but there's something about it I enjoy. I've also recently started tattooing, and seeing as that is becoming a more mainstream and accepted form of art, I figure I'll throw one of the tattoos I've done up here as well:

Medusa Marilyn Monroe

2008 Art Projects by Mary Ann

2009-01-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

ART 101, FA'08

Colored Pencil

ART 101, FA'08
Colored Pencil

My own project
SU'08
India Ink on White Drawing Paper
Ink(Micron) on Tracing paper overlay

Life Drawing Assignment 1

2009-01-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite artworks, and one of my most recent. I haven't quite decided yet what I am going to do with the background, but as of now I'm still very happy with how it turned out. I used color pencils on brown paper to create this artpiece I titled Childhood. This is a picture of me and captures the essense of me as a child, a wild child. I love capturing emotions and expressions of humans, and that's what the majority of my art work is capturing.

2009-01-17T22:52:00.000-08:00

Well, here I go I suppose. I'm having a hard time narrowing down a favorite piece, so I'll just post a couple.

First, is this picture of Altgeld I took. I really didn't have any intention, other than trying out an HDR, and since the sky looked pretty sweet, and the sun was setting right on top of the castle. I decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, the down-side was that I didn't have my tripod on me, so the images were made hand-held. So there's a few rough edges in the photo, but otherwise I'm pretty happy with it.

This second image, was taken in Sycamore. I was actually preparing for a shot for my film class. And decided to test the timing with my digital. Since I had the camera on "bulb" setting, and really had no way of telling how long I'd need the exposure to be without an separate light-meter. Anyway, I really like how this turned out. The green tint and all.

I have several more pictures and even digital work I've done at work & school on my website. So feel free to check them out @ Ashley-Bell.com.

assignment 1, Ten Commandments For God

2009-01-16T20:54:00.000-08:00

Okie dokie,
Well, I really don't have a favorite work. I have a few pieces that I'm generally happy about but nothing that really stands out as a favorite. I guess I'll just pick sumthum from the pile...
I did this Ten Commandments For God as my final for my intro printmaking class. I got the idea from a philosophy of religion class I was taking at the same time. Basically, anyone who wants to rationally argue in favor of God's existence must set these limitations on God. It is funny to say that God is all-powerful with a little asterisk on the end.

close ups:
left panel
center
right panel
whole piece

-Kim

2009-01-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

This is my most recent favorite piece I have done. It's all colored pencil and the purpose of the assignment was to draw random body parts mixed in with one object. None of this was planned, which is why I like this drawing so much. Unintentionally crazy.. yay!

- Carrie Morse

2009-01-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

I couldn't decide on just one because I like different pieces for different reasons, but I narrowed it down to two. The one on the left in a 24X18 '' ink drawing. I like it because of the different contour and cross contour line work I explored to create movement and texture in my drawing, that turned out for the best. Also it has good memories because two friends and I set up this still life for Art 100. The piece on the right has a wierd measurement,( I had to cut it down because my porfolio crinkled the edge), and is colored pencil drawing. I like this piece because I didn't know what I wanted to draw and just picked an item out of the still life room and it turned into this. I added subtle (I thought) sexual innuendos and took a lot of time building up lots of layers of pencils. It was also the first time I drew anyone besides myself from Life and it was difficult but soooo much better than drawing myself after a million times. I am really looking forward to that in this class.

Hope you enjoy

Assignment 1

2009-01-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

This piece "Soft Waters" is one of my favorite pieces because of my use of media and adding Art History into the composition. The media is white conte and graphite on man made paper. The drawing was done in my Drawing 2 class. The assignment was to first make a magazine collage and draw out a more elaborate view of the collage. My magazine collage had some mascara containers and pouring water bottles covered by cloth. Due to my Art History experience, the mascara reminded me of the delicate carvings of greek and roman columns. I stuck the columns in a river of cloth coming out of a hydria vase. I used the cloth to show how the blanket protects humans from the cold is as important to water. I attempt to draw a woman figure with no face to reflect everyone needs water. The background of a simple mosaic casually alludes the image of snake scales and the rims of a column.

First Blog Assignment

2009-01-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

The first assignment for the blog is for each student to post a picture of their favorite piece of art that they've made, and a short explanation of why it is their favorite. This will be a great way of introducing ourselves to each other through our artwork, and to figure out how to use the blog.

I've sent out a request to all of you, and registering to the blog is really easy.
All you have to do is sign up for a google account, and then you are set.

Feel free to use a nickname, or just your first name if you are uncomfortable with sharing your identity online.

From the sign-up screen you will then be taken to what is called your 'dashboard.' To compose a post to the blog all you need to do is hit the 'new post' button next to your profile, and simply type your post. To add an image to your post, simply hit the button that looks like this:Clicking the 'add image' icon will bring up a pop-up window where you can choose a file from your computer to upload to the blog. You can chose your image size and placement within your post, and drag your images to any part of your post.

Once you are finished, simply click 'publish post' and you are set to go. Also, if you make a mistake, you can always edit your already published posts.

Lastly, feel free to comment on other student's drawings or posts. You can comment on others' posts by simply clicking on the 'comment' link underneath each post.

Supply List

2009-01-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of supplies you will need for this class:

[ ] Pencils (4B, 2B, H, 2H)
[ ] Kneaded Eraser
[ ] Conte Crayons (2 black 1 white)
[ ] Hard Plastic Eraser
[ ] Alphacolor Black Charcoal (box)
[ ] Black 2 Tipped Marker
[ ] Charcoal Pencil (1black, 1 white)
[ ] Prismacolors (1 black, 1 white)
[ ] 18” x 24” Strathmore Drawing Pad
[ ] 24 x 36” Newsprint Pad (smooth)
[ ] 5 x 7” Sketchbook (Wire Bound)
[ ] Blue Painters Tape or Masking Tape

Later in the semester, when we move to doing longer drawings, I will be requesting that you purchase some colored pastel paper, but for now, this should be all you need. For these next few weeks it is essential that you have the Charcoal, Marker, Eraser, and Newsprint Pad. All of these things can be found at the VCB.

If you are going to be ordering your art supplies online, I would recommend going through Dick Blick. They ship pretty quickly, and their prices are swell!

Welcome to Class

2009-01-12T10:18:00.000-08:00

This is going to be our class blog where we will *hopefully* be posting images of our work, our assignments, and gathering information. Blogging is a great way to keep a record of what you are doing in your classes, and with your artwork in general. I would encourage you all to start your own blogs to document your work.

If you would like to see some of my artwork, you can look here:
Cassie Christenson
And, I blog here:
Cassie's Blog