Getting Started

Hola! This weeks blog is kinda brief due to the lack of "arting" time this week during school.

Well I have my master plan worked out, excluding some minor details, for my final metal art project. I was able to purchase my metal (copper) this week one is a 20 gauge (I think, I will have to double check) and the other is a 22 gauge. I have below a lay out of my original flower design along with a smaller version on the 20 gauge sheet of copper. On the 2x6" 22 gauge I will saw out my designs and then enamel them on this thinner sheet of copper so the metal isn't too heavy to wear.

My Goal for this upcoming week is to have most if not all my metal pieces cut out so I can start enameling and shaping my metal pieces to form a beautiful flower!

What's been going on!? . . . ART.

Hi people of the blogging world!

It is my goal to blog each week of my Art I have been doing. I hope to have *pictures* of my own art (of course) and inspirational photos I find too!

This is the clay mug I was working on and finished last week. I got the idea from the picture below but put my own touch to it. It is currently drying and being fired so maybe I can glaze it soonish!

I really like how the mug below was glazed, and I want to try to try to capture the highs and lows of my own mug to make the texture stand out.

 I made the clay bowl and mugs about two weeks ago. The clay bowl was the first little project to help get back into working with clay for this school year. And the two mugs (plus more) were made for my school's 2nd Annual Evening of the Arts!

The two pictures above were from the Evening of the Arts. There was music, snacks, and the mugs were sold with drinks provided! I think it was wonderful to see the progress of students in the other art classes!

My next project is to make a series of my metal flower I made out of copper. I don't have an up close photo yet. But on the picture above, if you look at the middle manikin, my flower is red with a blue center. I'm wanting to play with the size, color, and maybe shape. 

My goal is to make art that I can sell!

RANDOMZZZ

Here is my friend, Clayton! He is wearing his monkey (clay) necklace he finished. 

FUNNEST How-To Ever!

This was a while back but I had the pleasure to go to a GSA Visual Art Workshop held at my school one Saturday! And while I was in my chair piddling around and listening to the instructor preach about the making process of what we were about to do, this BIG exciting idea popped inside my head to Blog Bout It! So here I am with enthusiasm to give you an Easy 1-2-3 Step Process that is doable at home!

You might be wondering what I am even talking about. Some of you might know and many have already figured it out:

Paper Maché

Materials Needed: Newspaper, masking tape, bucket of water, casting gaug

e, unimportant scissors & a clean surface area (that can get DIRTY!)

*Note -- the use of wire can help for structure and support

Step 1 - Think of an idea that you would like to make into a sculpture. Draw your idea on paper. Remember “Simple shapes make basic forms”

EX: just by drawing out a couple of circles and a few lines, one can see the shape of an elephant

Step 2 - Take the newspaper and wad (crumble together, twist, etc.) it to make your basic form of the idea you had. Once you have a shape that satisfies you, use some of the masking tape so your form won’t undo.

I decided to make The Scream by Edvard Munch. And as you can see, I made two different shapes out of newspaper and can now tape them together to make the head and body.

Step 3 - Now once you have your newspaper sculpture, take the casting gauge and cut a piece (the size doesn’t matter, but I suggest not cutting it less than an inch).

Have the bucket filled with water near you and dip the piece of casting gauge into the water and back out.

Do the “Cha-Cha-Cha” motion, as shown in the video, and place the gauge on your sculpture.

Repeat Step 3 until you have your entire sculpture covered. The best way to have a nice finished piece is to have at least two layers of the casting gauge on your sculpture. Know that you can always add newspaper even after you have the gauge on. All you must do is put the newspaper shape you want to add on your sculpture and use the casting gauge to cover it.

Please post any comments, questions, etc.

I'll be more than happy to help, if something doesn't make sense! :)

Responding to Yuken Teruya.

Trying diligently to find a topic to inspire me for this weeks blog, I googled and googled so many different topics pertaining to art. but. Nothing. At least not until I decided to look up my own concentration (Nature: Trees) and I remembered that earlier today my friend, Kathryn, was working on a paper-cut-out project of some trees. And when I saw this, I knew I had finally found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Yuken Teruya is a Japanese artist who got his MFA (Master of Fine Arts) at School of Visual Arts in New York!! My heart jolted, a little, when I saw he was an alumni from SVA! :D

What I mainly love about his work, is the different paper he decides to use to cut out the tree or plant designs. Teruya’s art makes simple, everyday things into something appealing to the eye! To me, it is mind-bottling how much time, practice, and skill it takes to make this kind of art! Seeing his artwork makes me want to use up a thing of toilet paper just for the cardboard tube! Teruya has definitely opened the door to a whole new level of paper-cutting!

To check out some more of Yuken Teruya’s artworks, click here!!!! GO NOW! ^_^

Works Cited:

"Yuken Teruya Studio - Home." Yuken Teruya Studio - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yukenteruyastudio.com/index.html>.

College REPORT: S.V.A. in N.Y.C.

When looking through the different colleges that were going to be at Watkins College in Nashville for National Portfolio Day, I stubbled across this here college in New York. I had the chance to get my portfolio reviewed by a representative from the School of Visual Arts, but unfortunately, I was unable to because of the long line and the lack of time. Though it would of been nice, I know I still have many opportunities. . . .

This college offers 11 Undergraduate degree programs: Advertising - Animation - Cartooning - Computer Art - Film and Video - Fine Arts - Graphic Design - Illustration - Interior Design - Photography - Visual and Critical Studies

The Steps To APPLY for SVA:

1. Fill out an Undergraduate Application form. You must first create an online Account, here, before you can fill out an application online (physical applications are available by mail).
2. You must send a NONREFUNDABLE $50 for the application fee. They DO NOT want cash!! If applying online, you have to pay with a credit card.
3. Have a Portfolio! More information is below.
4. Need to have Official Transcripts from your high school you attended.
5. They would like to see your results of the SAT and/or ACT.
6. Written Essay. Statement of Intent - basically you write a 500 word or less essay about why you want to pursue an undergrad degree in visual arts
7. If your primary language is not English, you must demonstration your English proficiency.

Portfolio Requirements:

For all of the majors, an applicant should have a portfolio with about 15 to 20 examples of their own work consisting of things like drawings, paintings, sculpture, etc. EXCEPT a Photography applicant should include photographic images AND a Film and Video applicant should include a two-part essay instead of a portfolio.

This link will go beyond the basics of what I have written:

http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/adm/index.jsp?sid0=4&sid1=56&sid2=90

Click here to view Undergraduate Tuition and Expenses.

The reason this school appeals to me is because it is located in the city of inspiration. Everything about NYC is like buying a ice cream as a kid or seeing a drawing of DISAPPOINTASAUR (sorry Alec if I misspelled it)! I think it would be a great place to art and get that artistic vibe that only NYC can give off. I’m not saying that is the only reason, but it is a selling point! :D

A Personal Interest in G.S.A.

Are you a resident in Kentucky, either a sophomore or junior in high school, and have a passion for the ARTS!?

Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) is a FREE, three week summer program (from June 17 to July 7, 2012) at Transylvania University. They offer the chance to participate in one of nine artistic disciplines (click on each, to get more information):

• architecture
• creative writing
• dance
• drama
• instrumental music
• music theatre
• new media
• visual art
• vocal music

Note: Each Area has different requirements for auditions/ reviews*

*There is also an Audition/ Review, one must go to, along with submitting the actual online application plus the recommendation letters.

Important Dates for Applying:

**DECEMBER 31^st, 2011 is the Due Date for Applications!!**

On January 25, 2012, all applicants will receive an email from GSA to confirm the time and place where they will be expected to be. Also one will receive a link that one can download the GSA Recommendation forms.

Recommendations must be postmarked on February 15, 2012 to the GSA Office by school officials.

During the Fridays and Saturdays of March 2012, there are specific dates each Audition/ Review site will be held. Now where you go all depends on what you suggested location on the application and then the confirmation email from GSA.

April 13, 2012!!! GSA will be sending out letters by mail to applicants for confirmation on if applicant got into the program; depending on how far you live, the letter delivery time might be slower or faster.

To get even more INFORMATION please visit: http://www.kentuckygsa.org/

APPLY NOW!

Another Historical Analysis? Claude Monet.

“Sketch of Woman and Umbrella”

By: Claude Monet

Brief Bio- Oscar Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a French painter who “looked to nature for inspiration and use vibrant light and color”, and he was a main figure in the Impressionist movement. His artwork, below, was done with oil on canvas and called “Sketch of Woman and Umbrella” (1866).

When I first look at Monet’s artwork, I see the brightness and pureness of his use of color which makes my body fill up with a sense of sweet, happiness and peace. The first thing you probably notice is his brush stokes (or lines). He uses small and almost quick brush stokes for the texture of the grass blades; when you add the color, it makes the painting have atmospheric perspective since most of the darker value lines, of the grass, are closer to the bottom of the picture and the lighter are more towards the back. The use of color and value are also important in the shadow of the woman and the lady figure herself because it forms . One is able to picture exactly which direction the sun is shining and the effect the light has on the overall depth of the value.

Now focus your attention to the sky. See the different texture Monet uses to separate the ground from the sky. He makes the sky seem fluffy like and serene. It took me a bit to actually notice, but I assume when Monet painted this artwork, it was windy outside. Their are certain “clues” that help support the movement of the wind. The main one is the woman’s scarf, since it is not resting on her but instead it’s pretty much horizontal. Also back in the day, ladies who used umbrellas during the day had them to block the sun and the wind. The last two examples are the direction of the dress and the grass are going. They both face the direction of the scarf. Isn’t it amazing how just a few minor details make this painting more natural and alive!?

Claude Monet’s exquisite artwork is very moving. His emphasizes the piece not just around the women with an umbrella but around the beauty of nature too. He is able to make the painting flow all together with texture but still look distinguishable compared to not being able to tell what-is-what.

Works Cited:

"Claude Monet Biography - life, family, name, death, wife, young, information, born, time, year." Encyclopedia of World Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ma-Mo/Monet-Claude.html>.

"Claude Monet Study of a Figure Outdoors (Facing Left) Poster Print." Monet Giverny Directory. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://www.interagir.com/?entryID=61>.