Writing 5 (blog posts) for Crit 4

In my last critique I showed several pieces from my previous critiques (donuts and Mooreman's) as well as a new piece. A portrait of my current boyfriend, Jackson Sanor. I really enjoy working on portraits of people that have impacted me in some way or another. I was critiqued by Emi Gennis and briefly by Malcolm Kucharski. Emi gave me the advice to "GET THESE ON THE INTERNET." She suggested that these pieces are very marketable and that people in a town like this would be interested in some art like the donuts and bar scenes. She encouraged me to keep gooooooing! Do other businesses! Maybe the school? I will once again be in Pittsburg for the summer and I intend to use that time to work on more Pittsburg Love Pieces. The watercolor and the graphite just go hand in hand like PB&J. I would like to have a large set to compile for print for the Student Art Fair put on in the fall. Posters, greeting cards, prints, booklets etc. I'm really excited about this project. I hope that I can keep this fire burning into the fall.
For this next critique I have made another portrait piece, this time of my most influential professor, Emi Gennis.

Some Sketches and color tests.

Emi has really showed me the internet. I know that makes me sound like I'm four, BUT she's really opened my eyes to the art world that is online. There are so many communities of young, thriving artists out there making so so much art! Amazing, inspirational, puts-a-fire-in-you-and-makes-you-feel-like-you're-gonna-be-just-fine kind of art! Finding the web has really helped me as an artist and shaped my style and growth. I owe her a lot. 

Emi Gennis, 9x12, watercolor and graphite

Along with that, I'm working on a study of her hands at work (I mean she is an artist.)

Hands 5x7 graphite

They're just graphite right now, and I'm not to sure about the angle... but I'm going to try to get it watercolored and bring it to critique for thoughts. I had hoped to get a little bit of my next portrait worked on but I don't know if I'll be able to. 

2.) Next I would like to take a moment to talk about another student, and friend, in my critique course- Brittney Walton. She is a quiet, calming person that loves dogs more than dogs love dogs. This semester she has been working on a creative project involving etchings. 

I really admire her effort and ingenuity. I can tell that she has done quite a bit of research in order to work on these pieces in such a creative way. In order to get the amount of pressure to ink the etchings she ran them over with her car, see below!

I quite enjoyed her final pieces. Some didn't turn out as she expected, but that comes with taking such a risk. 

Since then she's been working with linocuts. 

Check her out at https://brittneylwalton.wordpress.com/

Writing 6 (blog posts) Artist Lecture

Today I attended the lecture of Gwen Walstand and Sarah Perkins, as well as visiting the gallery of their work. I LOVE COLLABORATIONS! Mostly because I'm not very good at them and I admire anyone who can work together peacefully to make something beautiful. This particular exhibition is a study of the town of Cairo, Illinois. Which is the title of the show, a collab of vessels created by Sarah Perkins and photographs captured by Gwen Walstand. 

An example of the works shown here.

The town of Cairo is at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio River. This was a booming prosperous town, with traffic from trains, boats, and on land. Post Civil War slaves lived there, and the town was divided by race. Resulting in horrific lynchings and violence throughout it's history. Even in the 1970's, white business owners refused to hire African American workers. because of this tension and violence, the current Cairo is left in a state of disrepair. 

Something that I found particularly interesting was the fact that the town of Cairo was once a place of commerce, success, and culture. A beautiful place with grand buildings, full of progress. It's amazing how hate can stop all of that. How intolerance and a lack of understanding can halt such beauty and growth. I think that it was very fitting to capture this once beautiful, once ugly, place with art. One of the most beautiful and expressive venues mankind has created. 

The vessels are metalsmithing with enamel, showcasing the architecture captured in the photographs. 

One thing that Ms. Perkins mentioned was that she had gone to the town before Mrs. Walsand and taken photographs. Later when they were comparing their images, they found that they both took a picture of the same building. This building had been painted white. In the time between taking their separate images, someone in the town had painted more of the building, and filled in some of the chipping areas of paint. I think it;s so poignant that there are residents in this town that can look past its violent history, and still love the town and try to make it a little bit better every day. 

Writing 4 (blog post) for Crit III

Hello all! Back again so soon, huh? Well if you recall, at Critique II I brought in some small 5x7" illustrations of observations at Mooreman's Southside Bar and Grill, my favorite saloon in town.

Here is one of the 5 that I showed. 5x7" Pool Table watercolor and graphite.

These illustrations were critiqued by Li-Lin Tseng, my Art History professor and boss, as well as Portico Bowman, my favorite printmaking, bookbinding, tea drinking professor in the department. I came away with many comments and I appreciated the feedback. Some of the things that were asked were: WHY do we want to see these images? WHY should I keep turning the page? Portico enjoyed the pool game image (on previous blog post) as well as the "9 Stages of the Glazed Donut" because they were intriguing and left little clues of life. They weren't completely stagnant and they left here curious. I plan to ask myself these little questions before I start pieces in the future for this project.

NOW for Crit III. I am starting my next phase of my Pittsburg works. This series is a little more time consuming so my production rate might be a TAD slower.... Anyway I will be working on a series of portraits of people that I have met in Pittsburg that have positively impacted my life in some way. These are people that aren't even themselves from the burg, but represent Pitt to me. These people did not exist to me before I came here and now my life is forever changed because of them. I hope to create on of my roommate and dearest friend, Ryan Osborn, my most influential professor, Emi Gennis and a few other friends that have changed my little world.

The first in this series is my current boyfraaand Jackson Sanor. Since meeting him I have learned things about myself and about real life grown up relationships. He is very passionate about guitar and engineering. I went with the guitar.

Jackson G. Sanor, 9x12" watercolor and graphite.

Some practice sketches, composition, and color testing.

I very much enjoyed creating this piece. I wanted to include text because I believe that it adds an element of fun, and allows you all to understand a little bit more about him. A little bit of what I see, intimate details about him. Next I plan on working on my BFF Ryan R Town Osborn, I may try to get some sketches in before critique but we shall SEE ABOUT THAT.

I'm also bringing a cover design for the Daylight Donuts series (kind of beating a dead horse with the donuts, huh?) Anyway, in another class I am making these drawings into a book so I created a cover here:

Daylight Donuts illustration Book Cover. 5x7" watercolor and graphite.

Now I would like to talk a little bit about a classmate of mine, Carlie Gernhart and her blog, Pure Imagination. <------- this title could not be more accurate. Carlie, do you actually have bones and organs or is it just your fascinating imagination in there?? IT'S. SO. BIG. After reading her posts, you should have no doubt in your mind about the creativity and passion of this artist. Her fantastical and purely magical designs and stories of the worlds that she creates in her big old brain is inspiring. Righy now she is working on character design. Previously in Crit II she showed us some designs of demons:

Carlie Gernhart- Demon Design 4.

I mean would you just look at that? Straight gruesome, girlfriend. 

Here is an example of her character design for the upcoming crit:

 

I love that these characters become completely real to her, and in turn the viewer! I have no doubt in my mind that she will be a success. I IMPLORE you to check out her work here: http://pureimaginationink.blogspot.com/

Writing 3 (blog posts for Crit II) ARTISTS POST

Since I didn't get to post one last time you get a double whammy!

First up to bat is my friend Will Cowley. Here is a link to his About Me page on his blog: https://willcowley.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/information-about-myself/

Will hopes to someday be involved in character design and storyboarding, he seems to be well on his way! His work focusses on MEANING. Symbolism, hidden agendas, etc. Here are some examples of this:

 

Magicians Ace of Spade, Graphite.           Four of Diamonds, Graphite. 

For his first piece in critique he created an interpretation of the Brothers Grimm tale "Godfather Death" It was executed well and I could tell how much care and genuine thought went into the piece. Here, check it out! 

Death's Equality, Graphite.

Please check out his blog, his post are well spoken and a joy.

UP NEXT, drumroll please..... Christen Wheat!

Her work also relies heavily on symbolism and the "deeper meaning." Although hers is in the 3D form. Here is a link to her blog: https://chris10wheat.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/the-person-named-christen/  She is a quiet friend of mine that seems to think deeply. She cares about all details of her work and wishes to convey meaning in all that she does. Here are some examples of her previous work:

My personal favorite, "Sloth"

"One Puzzle at a Time"

Her work also deals with time and death. She is working on a series involving these two things and the passing of human life. Each clock she will make will represent a different time in man's life. Here is her first installment in that series, which will be critiqued Friday: 

"Goo-Goo Clock"

I'm excited to see her grow.

Writing 3 (blog posts) for Crit 2

In the last Critique I presented my Daylight Donuts series that I had been working on, 6 in total. Four 5x7"s and 2 9x12"s if you must know! Here are a few more that I haven't posted yet....

This one was fun to do. The donuts are to size. 9x12" graphite and watercolor

Coffee and an "Old Fashioned" 5x7 graphite and watercolor

This one was and still is lacking in color... I would like something soft and subtle. I'll get there PROMISE. 5x7" graphite

 I spoke with Jamie Oliver and Cynthia Allen about my work. Positive responses! YAYAYAY Jamie mentioned that he can see some of these being very marketable, he imagines them on greeting cards or postcards. I had seen them in a book format myself so the fact that he also envisioned them in print was encouraging. His only caution in that regard was the loss of the texture and tactile quality that comes with the coarseness watercolor paper. I too had these concerns but I believe that with the proper care and MILD photoshop finagaling, the delicateness will remain intact. Cynthia commented that they were fresh and delicate.

I told them my plans for the next phase of my project **SPOILER ALERT** It's Mooreman's Southside. My Favorite watering hole in Pittsburg.

Sketches from Mooreman's

More sketches, a map on the right here. Something I will show as a final piece.

Jamie commented on the mood of the pieces. The Daylight series was mainly soft and bright and delicate. In a bar..... delicacy is not always found. So he told me to use caution here. Since then I've been working on solutions to this. I still like white space, sense of quiet (Mooreman's is a rather quiet bar if we're being honest), and whimsy, so I wanted to keep that quality in the work. Here is an example:

A pool game from February. A loss. I'll do better next time. 5x7 graphite and watercolor

I find that dark, heavy watercolors seem to be.. well... heavy. Watercolor should be bright and light! So I'm not going to paint a dark dingy bar scene. Not my jam. However I don't want absolute delicacy. I've decided to counteract the sweet softness of the Donuts by using brighter more vibrant colors and being a little looser with my linework. Keepin it fun! BARS R FUN 

Here is another work in the series. 5x7" graphite and watercolor

We shall see how Critique II goes! I'll report results later, see you fools around. Hey go to Mooreman's!

Writing 2 Blog Post for Crit 1

When I first conceptualized this series, it was very clear what I wanted to do and what my purpose and goals were. Since then, not much has changed in my design. After meeting with Rhona McBain, my professor for this Crit Course, I became aware of the importance of SUBJECT vs. CONTENT. The subject, of course being Pittsburg. All encompassing. Content being MYSELF. It is key to keep in mind the purpose of this series, and that is to tell MY story of Pittsburg. What I see. What I like to do. What is important to me and why. However, among all this ME ME ME, there should be little peeks into others stories of Pittsburg. Small glimpses into "Oh THIS is Pittsburg." I 'm not entirely positive how I am going to do this but I have a few ideas and it is something that I'm excited to explore.
My first study (what I will be bringing to this particular crit) and one of my favorite places to go in da burg is Daylight Donuts. It is right outside my backdoor, and is important to me and my story here. I have been going in the early mornings and sketching, jotting down thoughts and things I hear and see. Here are just a few examples:

Images from my sketchbook

From these sketches and a few reference photos, I have been making watercolor and graphite studies of them. Most are 5x7" but some are larger due to content. Here's a sneak peek!

The Cake Donut: 72 cents. 

Since beginning this, I have discovered that I could honestly do an entire series on JUST Daylight Donuts. It's really been a blast. Also since starting, I can't help but see them in a book. A whole book dedicated to this. The Exhibit is not until September, so I have decided that I am just going to make as many as I feel are necessary to tell this story. I mean how could making more art than you need ever be bad?? 

In this particular phase of my project, American painter and member of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, Wayne Thiebaud is a huge inspiration. His quiet works consisting of the mundane made fabulous are beautiful and charming. 

Wayne Thiebaud, Four Cupcakes, 1971.

Wayne Thiebaud, Delicatessan Counter, 1962.

Writing (blog posts)_1

I was asked by a former student (Jared Jennings, fyi) to take part in a 3 person exhibit that will be located at Crowder College in Neosho, MO. For this exhibit I will be needing 10 to 15 pieces. THAT is what I will be working on this semester and for this critique course! The theme/title of the exhibition is "Untold Stories." My concept for this show and my pieces will be centered around local spots in Pittsburg, KS. This last summer was my first summer spent here in the burg, working at a pool shop (I was a pool boy, for clarification) and I fell absolutely and unconditionally in love with this town. I hear people complain almost daily about being trapped here,  in this podunk little town with nothing to do etc. But I have no qualms. I am qualmless. This town is quiet, simple, and incredibly, considered by some ALMOST TO A FAULT, m-i-d-w-e-s-t-e-r-n. I straight up love this place. So I find it enormously fitting that my series shows these quiet perfect little places that often get ignored, or are seen as commonplace or insignificant.

I would like to draw a love letter to Pittsburg.

When it comes to myself as an artist, I tend to like quiet works with lots of white space. I appreciate small drawings and pencil sketches. My work will be "sketchy," and incorporate text. I find hand rendered, almost sloppy, text to be incredibly charming. I like work that proves someone made it with their hands, I love a certain messiness in works of art. For these pieces I intend to work with graphite and watercolor. Maybe branch out?? WE'LL SEE!

Here are a few of my works that I am fond of and define my artistic sense described above.

"Four Peppers" 

                          

A couple of pencil pieces from the last Critique Course, in which I interviewed residents of a local nursing home.

Another piece from the last course. I hope to continue in this style.

One last piece, this is my mother. She is beautiful.

Not only do I want to highlight Pittsburg, I would like it to be personal. I want to show my favorite places and help illustrate WHY this place is one of my favorites on earth.
To do so, I intend to visit local restaurants, Harry's, Daylight Doughnuts etc. and illustrating something there from life. Harry's famous cinnamon rolls, possibly an interview with the owner. I will be interviewing and making portraits of my favorite professors who have shaped me here. Mooreman's is my favorite local tavern and where I learned to play pool, I would like to do a contour drawing on the interior of the bar. Lakeside Park is my favorite place to bike or run to and I would like to draw a specific tree there that is PERFECT for climbing. I have many ideas for this. I'm excited to get started on this project and see where it can go.

Like I said earlier, I enjoy quiet, sketchy works and my greatest inspirations and artist of ALL TIME AND SPACE is the effervescent Wendy Macnaughton. I cannot get enough of this chick, I tell you what. http://wendymacnaughton.com/ <---- go here. Do it. You know you want to.

Wendy Macnaughton's work. See what I'm talking about??

Her storytelling ability and poignant illustrations are simply stunna. Her work is recognizably "Wendy" and her honesty has played a huge role in my development as an artist. 

 

A few of her works. Wow.

OKAY ONE MORE I can't resist!

Her portraits are especially inspirational and a favorite of mine.

Another inspiration and a favorite of mine is comic and illustrator, ELEANOR DAVIS (her collection of comics, "How To Be Happy" is one of my favorite books- check it out or live a life of regret) ---> http://doing-fine.com/ her website.
I envy and someday hope to emulate her bright and creative use of watercolor in her comics and illustrations. I love in her work the astounding honesty and vulnerability that she portrays with her quiet, simple illustrations and text.

            

These examples are from her book, "How To Be Happy"

I have many ideas for this Critique Course. I'm excited to get started on this project and see where it can go. LET'S GO