Concentration #3

Progress: I guess you could I say that I dabbled with the sharpie pen, quite literally ( har har).  

As you can see, I began drawing diamonds/ parallelograms in the shape of trees... Even though I didn't use a lot of texture, I added some by using white acrylic paint, which in all honesty is equivalent to white- out because it cleans up the image so nicely.  Then, to balance out all the white in the background I stippled ( dotted) swirls into the background. 

Concentration #2

After spending more time thinking about my concentration topic than actually doing it, I finally found a topic idea that simplified my original idea.

 As I mentioned before, I full heartily thought I would do my concentration pieces based off of Pakistan truck art, then I thought about applying truck art, patterns and such, to nature: mountains, trees and etc. However after my first concentration piece, I found it extremely hard to do that and make them look like finished, (especially with water color).


Based off of my first concentration I've decided to base my concentration pieces off of trees. Why?  
Trees are beautiful in both complex and simple ways, and regarding artistic style there is so much you can do with trees.


Trishna Keiman:




Even though my piece looks nothing like Keiman's, I was very much so inspired by her color, and texture. However, I approached the texture in a less smooth essence.

Concentration progress

Before starting a concentration piece so much time is invested in just thinking of ideas for the concentration. I didn't want to be generic or do something that didn't represent me.

Actually, it was already in my mindset that I wanted to have my art folder based off of Pakistani culture: truck art, colors, textiles before even starting AP Art Studio.

So, after spending so much time thinking about my concentration piece/ pieces, and going back and fourth to Mrs. Brink for advice, this Saturday I paid a quick visit to the local art and crafts supplies store, Michael's to pick up some quality water color paper. Knowing how expensive water color paper is I didn't want it to go to waste so I spent some time sketching the concentration piece out before starting the first piece.

Because I have already explored other medias, I had come to the realization after Art 2 that I would really like to explore my water color abilities. Of course, I wouldn't have felt this way if I didn't see artists such as it's incredibly what watercolors in achieve in the lightest form.

On a different note, after viewing http://www.thisiscolossal.com/category/art/, I was honestly and incredibly astonished by all the creativity, and medias used. I'm especially impressed with David Walker's spray paint portraits, and Amy Robbins colored pencils. Walker's portraits are not only are these portraits realistic, but they have splashes of color and texture, and style that makes them so unique, and stay true to graffiti style. And looking at Robbin's pieces, well, Robbins' portraits are simply impeccable. Both medias are difficult to achieve such realism with, especially with portraits.

Examples of  art work from Art | Colossal:

*Taken in respect to the artists, and for the soul purpose to promote such outstanding work. No copy right infringement intended.

Amy Robbins:

David Walker:





Links:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/12/09/50-beautiful-watercolor-paintings/

Altered Book: Noor Edition

Altered books are a great way to  beautifully enhance the context and meaning of books. For class, we were expected to bring/ buy old books that us "artists" would be able to well, alter. Through the A Encyclopedia I played with the established content as well as enhancing the book with a theme.Unlike many others my book is not exactly "3D." Although, like my concentration I wanted to have something Pakistan themed. Besides being Pakistani, and visiting the country this summer, I really do love the culture and art. In addition, I wanted to keep it simple so I had my theme involve stars throughout with splashes of green, blue and gold water color.

Artist Profile: Walter Mason

Walter Mason, born in Sussex, England but residing in Berlin, Germany, looks looks to the environment as an inspiration for his artwork. Heavily influenced by Surrealism, he feels that it can change how we look at the world by "questioning what we usually take for granted." Mason is also influenced by Andy Goldsworthy in addition to Surrealism.

Mason is known for harmoniously combining leaves and bark of trees,water drops, rocks, and creating prints through paint and intricately cutting geometric pattern onto leaves. Mason, himself, describes this type of artwork "Land Art," which consists of using nature's materials in its natural habitat

Not only is his artwork absolutely beautiful, but once he's finished with a masterpiece it can decompose naturally. I guess you could call Mason's "Land Art" environmentally friendly.                                                                                                                                                                                              

"Everything I do is an experiment. If the picture I make is good or not is of little importance in comparison to what I have learned. If the experiment ‘works’ I have the feeling of arrival, of completion, I am finished with the idea."