Self Portrait

All Photographs and Inspirational photographs are below.

 1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I thought that they were interesting self portraits.

 2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I selected sketching with sketching pencils and colored pencils to fill in the color because I enjoy using them.  I enjoy trying out different shades of colors to create one color.

 3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

The challenge I had was trying too hard to make my sketch perfect.  I find that if I just go with my first few sketches it seems more realistic.  I tried to stop myself from constantly erasing and redrawing.    

 4. How does this piece represent you?

I think this piece represents me as peaceful and content.

 5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I tried to mix and layer colors to create a more realistic hair color.  I also tried to create a realistic proportion of my eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows and fingers. 

 6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I did enjoy working on this project.  I am finding that I miss drawing and sketching.  I am glad to be doing some of that creative stuff again.

 7. What do you think of your final artwork?

I am semi-satisfied with my finished work.  I wish I could have figured out how to make realistic curls like in the photograph.

 

My Self Portrait

 

Photograph for my Self Portrait

Images of Inspiration for Self Portrait

 

Triple Self-Portrait
Norman Rockwell
1960
Oil on Canvas
44 1/2 x 34 3/4 in.

 

I chose this piece because I found humor in it.  It is how I felt drawing a portrait of myself

 





The Desperate Man Self Portrait
Gustave Courbet
1843-1845
Oil on canvas
45 x 54 cm.

I chose this painting because I love the expression and the emotion I feel from it.

Self Portrait Laughing
Richard Gerstl
1907
Oil on canvas, Mounted on cardboard
15' x 11'

I chose this painting because he looks so happy, like he was enjoying himself.


 

Project 4 review journal

1. Which projects did you review?

I reviewed all of the projects submitted.  I found many of them to be very good.  Some of my favorites that I did not choose were the exhibit on Points, and The exhibit on Nature and Weather: The Spirit of Earth.

 2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?

I selected Joe Fragione’s exhibit “The Queen City” Buffalo, NY inspired Art because I thought it was very good and a creative topic.  I liked that the exhibit was based on regional art.

 3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?

I think it is always difficult to critique someone else’s work.  This course has been my first real experience with the terms of art and the styles of art also added to this difficulty.  I overcame these difficulties by just writing about what I saw and felt about the exhibit.

 4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?

It is interesting to view classmates projects and all of the creative themes for the exhibits.  I felt a little awkward critiquing a classmate because we are all learning together in this course.  But I really enjoyed Joe’s exhibit and thought it was a creative topic that was much different from the other exhibits.

 5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?

I would have liked to have read my classmates thoughts on my project.  But unfortunately I did not get to turn mine in due to being at the hospital with my son. 

 6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?

I would rate my article as a 6 due to being new at critiquing art. 

 7. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I did enjoy working on the project.  I had chosen the topic of landscapes throughout time and it was interesting to see how the styles changed over time.  Also how different cultures painted landscapes. 

Module 15 Video Review

 Greenberg on Pollock: An Interview by T. J. Clark

Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried and T. J. Clark in Conversation

 

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

Greenberg on Pollock:  An Interview by T.J. Clark

During the interview Greenberg talks about how Pollock’s best work just happened.  He gave some insight on why Pollock painted in that style and how he drew better after 10 years of painting abstract than before.  He believed his paintings had no beginning, middle, and end.  The artists of the 50’s thought Pollock was a freak and his paintings were not real paintings.  Pollock was an outsider and had a romantic notion of an early death.

Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried and T.J. Clark in Conversation

Both agreed on statements about Pollock but they disagree on their reasons for their statements.  Clark believed he played a historical role in modern art; Whereas Fried stressed the independence of the aesthetics of Pollock’s works.  The 60’s allowed people to look at Pollock in a more productive way.  His works were looked at as optical art; because it contained a certain evenness and dispersal of energy, an alloverness kind of quality in its deployment of line and color.  Greenberg tried to cast Pollock as the great predecessor for Louis, Noland, and Krankenthaler.  They describe modernism as painting confronted with some kind of disjunction or collision between what I want to call its resources and its conditions.  They use much different vocabulary to describe things due to their views.    

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

I did not get to turn in my Art Criticism project due to my son being hospitalized; I wish I would have turned it in before I took him even though I was putting finishing touches on it.  But I believe they do relate to the project especially the video Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried and T.J. Clark in Conversation.  The reason I believe this video does is because it shows that people can agree that someone is a great artist but have very different reasons for their thinking.  I think this is a very important point with art, everyone has their own views and ideas about art. 

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?

I think the videos were very good.  I liked that Greenberg gives an inside view of Pollock’s work and life.  I think it gives more understanding and appreciation to his work.  The other video added to my understanding to hear them explain their different views on his work, even though they both believe he was a great artist.  It is interesting to see each explain their reasons for coming to that conclusion.  It also adds depth to hear the vocabulary that we have learned about art being used in relation to explaining artwork.    

 

Module 13/14 video review

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

 

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

Lowdown on Lowbrow:

Lowbrow art is art that no one knows how to categorize.  The term lowbrow is defined as a person regarded as uncultured or tasteless.  I found this movement as well as its art very fascinating.  Lowbrow art is always a narrative.  This movement was more open to women than any other.  Many artist did the work for album covers or comics.  It is sometimes called Pop Surrealism. 

Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach

This museum is free and has drawn in much more of a crowd than they even imagined.  They used to arrange the art chronologically.  But now it has been split into categories: landscape, still life, history, and the nudes.  Each category is then split into several different rooms, and the pieces that they put together in these rooms do not always work and can actually take away from each piece.  Chronologically would make more sense but they felt that many people would be fatigued and never get to experience the newest art.   

Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology

These bones were collected for scientific reasons to study people, culture, and medical insights.  The Native Americans want the bones returned.  When building a highway they found a cemetery and state archeologists came to collect the bones and took them to a local cemetery for burial except those of a Native American girl and a baby which they took for examination.  They only buried the white people.  Archeologists collect bones of all different races to learn about them especially the skulls.  4,000 skulls were obtained due to the request.  The bones of Native Americans were collected in an attempt to save the culture.  The Smithsonian held the remains of over 18,000 Native Americans.  The Native American grave protection and reparation Act stated that the bones had to be returned to the tribes.  The problem with reparation is where should the remains be returned to?  They need to be studied to find those answers.  The archeologists believe they help to understand the history and migration routes of the people.  They see the bones as markers and without them they lose the history.  The Native Americans say that their oral traditions tell them all that they need to know.  But the archeologists can help them to determine health hazards.  Rheumatoid arthritis was discovered on Native American bones.  This could help to better the understanding of this condition and possibly a vaccine.  Paleontologist are also able to examine DNA from some of these bones, they can look at bacteria and how its changed since that time.  The Native Americans however do not want this.  Many States have passed strict laws that all burial sites and Native American remains must be left untouched.  However, the University of Nebraska has reached an agreement with the Omaha tribe that they could do research for cultural and medical reasons.  They believe the remains can tell their story through science.  This particular tribe has had a big problem with diabetes.  They would also like to use the scientists work to restore some of their knowledge of their tribe.

   

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

I think the videos that will be of most help for my Art Exhibition project are the Lowdown on Lowbrow and Displaying Modern Art:  The Tate Approach.  The reason I believe these two will be of most help is that I learned quite a bit about Lowbrow art and what it is all about, and from The Tate approach I learned quite a bit about the arrangement of art museums and exhibits.  The film Bones of Contention: Native American Archeology gave me an appreciation of both the Native American tribes and the work of Archeologists, but I am not sure it will help with my project as I am not dealing with either subject. 

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

I think all of the films were excellent.  I found the film Bones of Contention:  Native American Archeology to be of the most interested personally.  I do believe they all add a greater understanding of art and the curation of a museum.  I also am glad I got to see the film the lowdown on lowbrow because it was fascinating and it was a form of art not normally studied.

 

Picasso Exhibit - Albright Knox

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:

 1. What is the title of the exhibit?

Spotlight on the Collection

Artists in Depth: Picasso, Braque, Léger, Delaunay

 

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

A complete display of all works in the Collection—more than seventy-five objects—by four masters: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), Georges Braque (French, 1882–1963), Fernand Léger (French, 1881–1955), and Sonia Delaunay (French, born Russia, 1885–1979).

I chose to concentrate on the exhibit of Picasso as I found it moving and fascinating.

 

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:

1. What type of lighting is used?

The normal overhead lighting was used along with some spot lights to accent pieces.

 2. What colors are used on the walls?

The color used on the walls was white.

 3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

They used 3 walls to separate the works so; you were standing in a space and walked along the 3 walls and around the corner to the next set.

 4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?    

As you enter the exhibit you walk down the first wall and along the back then up the third wall, and continue this around the corner to the next bay.

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

 1. How are the artworks organized?

The Picasso exhibit started with early etchings, drawings that look like notebook sketches, to his Blue period which is somber, to the Rose Period which focused on circus performers, to his work in Cubism.

 2. How are the artrworks similar?

With Picasso’s exhibit, his sketches and water color were all frames similarly in a plain white frame almost looking like card stock; his paintings had a thicker more intricate frame.  Many of the sketches and water colors were of the same size or close to it.

 3. How are the artworks different?

The works were different because they showcased his sketches, drawings, water color, pen and ink, and paintings.  The type of framing was different depending on the medium he used for that work.

 4. How are the artworks framed?

The sketches, drawing and water color all had white frames, plain and simple. Some of his paintings were displayed in a real frame, which were not white.  That may be due to the paintings were on canvas and the rest on paper.

 5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

They are identified and labeled with His name, Name of the work and date, the media used, and how they acquired the work.  In the upper right hand corner was Spanish, 1881-1973.  In addition some of his works had a description about the work.  These hung right next to the work.

 6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?

 They were spaced pretty evenly from each other.  I would say maybe a rulers length apart, maybe alittle less.

 Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

 

 

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: Pablo Picasso ______________________________________________________________________________________

Title of work:   Cortege __________________________________________________________________________________

Media:  Watercolor and ink wash on paper _______________________________________________________________________

Date:  1933 _____________________________________________________________________________

Size: 15 13/16 x 19 15/16"
____________________________________________________________________________

Source of picture (URL):http://www.albrightknox.org/collection/search/piece:605/

The photograph used in this blog was the one I took. __________________________________________________________

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

 This painting made me smile.  It was very different from the other paintings and I found a hint of humor in it.  I liked that there was a hint of light color to contrast to the images.  I also found his use of water color and pen and ink together nice.  It is almost like Picasso paints things as he sees it, and he sees things in a wild way.  This work of art almost looks like a combination between a sketch and a comic.  It was interesting to see how different his style of paintings could be.

2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

I see three figures of people joyfully dancing.  They seem very free.  The three figures are completely different; one is tiny, one is bigger and one average. 

 

3.   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

He uses color to contrast and to create emphasis.  He uses lines in many directions to draw your eyes around the painting.  The differing heights and body styles show proportion.  And I feel a sense of motion by their stances. 

 

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

They remind me of funny dancers in a parade, or clowns but nude. 

 

5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I think he is trying to show the group as being free.  They look carefree dancing, nude, and being happy.  I think Picasso painted the drawing in a goofy crazy way to show this freedom. 

 

 

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: Pablo Picasso __________________________________________________________________________________

Title of work: L'Etreinte VI ___________________________________________________________________________________

Media:  Etching, first state ___________________________________________________________________________

Date:  1963 _____________________________________________________________________________

Size:  12 x 16 1/2"         ____________________________________________________________________________

Source of picture (URL):  https://www.google.com/search?q=pablo+picasso+l+%C3%A9treinte+etching+first+state+1963&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS425US425&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UvT2UZqCDdG14AO20IHQBw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=853&bih=414#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Mpk74sPEvAl3tM%3A%3BkfSFl5-3je0HOM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.art-art.co.uk%252FPicasso18.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.art-art.co.uk%252FPicasso%3B220%3B162______________________________________________________________

The photograph used I took at the Albright Knox

 

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allow

2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

I loved this work by Pablo Picasso.  When I look at the work, I can feel the emotion and the passion between these two people.  They are staring into one another’s eyes, like they are lost in each other.  I think it is a very intimate and emotional picture.  I think it is great that even without any color it still gives you so many feelings.  This is a very romantic piece of art.

3.   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

There is a contrast between the various shades of black, gray and white. I think this contrast gives it emphasis.  The size of the human figures shows proportion.  The lines produce emphasis, contrast and contour.  There is a sense of value within the varying shades of black, gray, and white. The contour lines give it more of a dimension and depth.

 

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

It reminds me of a loving embrace.  A sneak peak at an intimate moment. 

 

5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I think he was trying to show the great emotion two people can have for one another.  They are looking deep into each others eyes and it helps you to feel the connection between them. 

 

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist:  Pablo Picasso  __________________________________________________________________________________________

Title of work:  Bacchanale ___________________________________________________________________________________

Media:  Color linocut on Arches paper  edition 36/50  ___________________________________________________________________________

Date:  1959 _____________________________________________________________________________

Size:  24 3/8 x 29 1/2 inches ______________________________________________________________________________

Source of picture (URL):  http://www.albrightknox.org/collection/search/piece:2252/_

_____________________________________________________________

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

 2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

It looks like people sitting on a beach with bright blue water in front of them.  It is possible that there

is a big ship in the water.  It is also possible that there is instead something in the sky.  It is hard to tell because the water and sky blend together.   

3.   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

Color is used as a big accent in this piece.  The contrast of black, dark brown, and tan.  The contrast between bright blue, white and black.  The white lines draw your eyes attention to it.  The color also seems to create a depth  to the painting.  The white line give it a feel of movement. 

 

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

I do not see any symbols or metaphors.  It reminds me of peace and relaxation. 

 

5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I am not sure what Picasso is trying to say with this painting.  I feel a peaceful and calming feeling from this painting.  Maybe that was what he was trying to convey.

 

 

. Answer this question: What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?

After taking this class I can appreciate many things about the art gallery other than just the paintings on the wall.  I realize how much work and planning goes into designing the space, the frames used, the color of the walls and the lighting.  When setting up an exhibit or an installation, they need to look at the way the people will move about the exhibit. Even the architecture of museums is aesthetically pleasing and is a work of art itself.  I am glad that I have this new found appreciation.  

 

 

 

 

Mod 12 video review

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image

Hockney on Photography

 

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

 

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

I selected the film Andy Warhol: Images of an Image because I was hoping to understand his work better.  I have seen his work and have never really liked it or understood the hype behind it.  I also selected Hockney on Photography because photography is an area that greatly interests me.

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

I learned that Andy Warhol uses photographs, stencils, and screen printing to create his works.  The process of silk screening was pretty interesting to watch.  His work is more mechanical, and any of his staff could do it.  Death was one of his main themes along with Marilyn Monroe, Jacquie Kennedy, and Liz Taylor.

The film Hockney on Photography taught me that the camera came much before photography.  He takes photographs very close up and in sections, and then puts each picture together like a puzzle to create the entire scene.   The Polaroid collages are very cool looking with the lines of a grid.  He has an amazing passion for photography and went to great lengths to display things as they were seen, even if that meant standing on a ladder.  He also painted in somewhat of a grid pattern, as he used many individual canvases to create his final painting.      

 

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

The films add more information about the topics that we are reading about in the textbook.

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

I found the film on Hockney to be amazing and interesting.  His work is something that could not be described in words alone.  By seeing the film and listening to him speak about his pieces and the passion he had really helps you to understand what he was trying to achieve and how he achieved it.  I find his work very fascinating and it is real.

The film on Andy Warhol gives more information about him and his work than the textbook.  It shows the process of silk screening which also has been talked about.  I still cannot understand why he was so popular and do not see his work as great.  He said in the film that many members of his staff could and did make these pieces.  I guess he is just going to be one artist that I do not understand.

Module 11 video Review

Matisse and Picasso

The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present

Dada and Surrealism

    Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

 

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

The first film I selected was Matisse and Picasso.  I selected this film because I wanted to learn more about Picasso after seeing an exhibit of his at the Albright Knox.  The second film was The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to the Present.  I chose this film because I am also interested in the work of Goya.  I find his work and the story of his life interesting.

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

Matisse and Picasso-

They viewed drawing as painting but with fewer materials.  The two of them did not clash but instead had an exchange of ideas.  In 1912 Picasso invents the first collage.  Matisse sculpts like a painter. I learned that for a painter, anguish is a tool.  These two were brothers in anguish.  When Matisse could not paint anymore he cut paper to create his art.

The Mystical North-

I learned even more about Goya and his Black paintings, sketches and etchings.  His work is so interesting and full of emotion.  He went from painting colorful paintings to very dark and disturbing paintings after an illness.  I also learned about Gaudi and his mosaic style structures.  They are beautiful and original.  I was blown away seeing the apartment building that he built.  The ceilings had life to them, the floors were mosaic, the windows were different, the balconies were beautifully sculpted, as well as the chimneys and the roof.  This film also told about Picasso and that the Picasso museum was actually sculpted by him.

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

The videos add more in depth information about the artists that the book does not have space.  Being able to see multiple works of art by an artist helps to understand them even better.    

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

The films were very good, both were very informative.  They were able to give a better look at the life and works of the artists.  With Goya, it is like you can feel his depression through his work.  The textbook does a good job for providing basic information, but the films are able to concentrate on just a few things.  Being able to see the work of Gaudi, is something one could never fully appreciate just by reading about it.  The buildings are something that is better able to understand and get a feel for by seeing the video, it’s the next best thing to seeing it in person.