Final Fall Semester Exam

The AP level Studio Art Portfolio needs to demonstrate composed and properly executed ideas of the three categories Breadth, Concentration, and Final Portfolio. Concentration and Breadth will contain 12 completed images, however all Concentration have a continuous theme, while Breadth pieces are unique in themselves. The Final Portfolio is a collection of the five most powerful looks that demonstrate originality, experimentation, skill, “voice”, quality, intent, and engage any critic. The portfolio must be finished and submitted at least a week before May 10. 

My concentration began as a “wanting becomes torture” ideal, something I felt everyone could relate to. However while attempting to be empathetic of others I lost “voice” in my pieces. Some of my art no longer had meanings I could truly understand or execute. My attempts to create work for someone else didn’t showcase my full potential. With help from my peers I recognized this strong error, and now I am redirecting my concentration. My strongest pieces were of my own exposure of despair, insecurities, and fears, they were in fact so personal, explaining them was difficult. Art can truly express and analyze your emotions better than any other form of therapy. So, I hope now to create images that are self analyzed, that now display my own “wants that lead to self destruction”. I will use repeated symbols, like my fox, that have many meanings to me, to increase continuity but also to help the viewer understand my intentions. I adore using a white pen style design in my photos, they to me, display hard exteriors. For example, my hard faced fox in my “A Lone” piece, is meant to display the forced confidence I tend to utilize in everyday life. As well I personalize with warm colors as they to me display passion, my strongest personality trait, mixed with black and whites showcasing my appreciation of minimalism, which I can’t seem to obtain in my life.

My breadth pieces are usually a way for me to take my mind off of my personal issues and instead celebrate. They are created not for over thought, but to challenge my abilities with different and new medias. Whether melting wax in my encaustic piece, or practicing pastels, I always break from my comfort zone with my free range breath works. In this way, I get to make art just to make art. 

Shel Silverstein a famous poet, but also an extremely talented illustrator. He has inspired me with his work since I was eight years old. Every drawing is only black pen on a white background but they each speak volumes. I attempt as well to master this style of simple scenes with the element of pen to express my feelings. All his work is very unique and has some sort of uncomfortable quirk that makes it humorously adored. Though my work is more serious, I attempt to add purposeful flaws to strengthen the originality, like Silverstein. 

My work is also inspired by Hajin Bae, a wonderfully bold artist, whose pieces catch the eye instantly. She also enjoys manipulating photographs and illustrations to create depth to her work. She tends to emphasize pops of warm colors on her black and white drawings, parallel to my images. However, she primarily illustrates females and I like to experiment with humans and animal characteristics. 

This winter break I plan to take many photographs of textures, landscapes, and self portraits, to have organized in a USB that I can easily and quickly access and work with. As well I hope to establish many ideas prior to the semester and be ready to get started the second I hit my seat. I hope my portfolio by the end of the year really helps me better understand myself and grow, and I aspire to show that growth in my work. 

Artist Research Blog - Frida Kahlo Rough Draft

Frida Kahlo's intense dramatic life style and ability to relate to pain displayed in her work is what first attracted me to her art. Born in Coyocoán, Mexico City, Mexico in 1907, Frida grew up in her family's home, Casa Asul or The Blue House, with her three sisters, German father and Mexican mother. Frida began painting after she was severely injured by a bus accident, she remained immobile for many months unsure of whether or not she would be able to walk again. In the mean time however Frida would paint herself with her father's paints and a mirror above her bed. Though never taught professionally, her paintings were far from amateur. However Frida would not obatain critical fame in her own lifetime being labeled as the wife of another famous artist Diego Rivera, whom she married in 1929. When Frida married Diego she knew she was agreeing to love a man of infidelity which created many phases of depression through out her life. These moments of pain inspired some of her best emotional work, including the Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair (1940), made after Frida cut off her "trademark" tresses when Rivera slept with her sister Cristina. Many awful occurrences happened to Frida Kahlo from age six when she was diagnosed with polio to her early death caused by pulmonary embolism.  It was these emotional and physical griefs that made Kahlo the renowned and inspirational artist she is today, affecting many including myself artistically. Frida stated on her death, "I hope the exit is joyful - and I hope never to return - Frida"

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