6HannaG

__//**Figure and 'Using The Grid' Project**//__ Original Picture:
 * ART.VA.II.HS.1 || **// I can create and modify artwork through the critique process. //** ||
 * ART.VA.II.HS.5 || **// I can reflect on the process that led me to my final, successful piece. //** ||

__Reflective Writing:__

Why I chose this: What attracted me to this photo was that it was a very dark, intimate looking photo that portrayed deep emotion. Through all of the photos I'd seen, this was the only one that truly stuck out for me and gave me the urge to re-create it. The only problem I foresee with this photo is the dimension of the figure; because parts of her body are further ahead or further behind the rest, it makes it diffucult to draw. Dimension has always been my weakest point, and I hope to overcome that with this photo. Charcoal and graphite pencil seem to be the best medium options in my mind for this image, because the dark blends will match very well. Overall, though, this image is of a beautiful fallen angel that attracted me from the moment I saw it.

Problems/Solutions: Throughout this project, the main problem I encountered was transforming my flat paper and image into a 3-dimensional. The lighting and contrast throughout the composition had to be changed, enhanced, or altered in some shape or form. I learned to "squint" at the original image to hone in on the lights and darks that needed to be duplicated and to pay attention to all shapes, curves, and blends. In using these techniques, I was able to make my art look like the original in a beautiful 3-dimension composition.

Pleased/Dissapointed?: I'm very pleased with how my artwork turned out with this piece. I thought originally, before making edits to fix the contrast and light, that I was happy with my work, but after I altered a few things, it really made my eyes pop. It stunned me how a few added details can really change the whole image. It had a lot of depth, detail, contrast, and beauty. I hope to hang this in my home for a lifetime.

(Mrs. Ruggles, you said you would add this picture in for me, since you have it on your camera! Please so do below!)
 * Finished Product (Picture):**

//Picture Caption:// Although this picture is taken from a lower elevation and a distance, you can still see the main image. Details aren't obvious in the picture, and I'm much more pleased with the result in person than on camera.

__//**Figure Drawing/Collage (Drawing From Life) Project**//__



__Reflective Writing__

Why I chose This: I chose to do this portrait of Daycia Case, rather than the other models, because she was most resembled the idea that I had for my project. I chose to place another figure, a male, behind the female figure to resemble love and attraction (the male has his arms around the female.) Although it doesn't specifically embody any person in particular, I liked the idea of a romantic art piece, so I was drawn to making this type of collage with my figure project.

Problems/Solutions: One of the problems I encountered was sticking the figures onto the background. I used a stick-spray to attach them, but used too much, so it made the background messy. I then had to peel off the figures and re-make the background.

Pleased/Dissapointed? Although I very much like the figures I created, I wasn't having an easy time with the background. The process was tedious and I ran out of time to work, so I simplified my project. However, even though I didn't get to do everything that I wanted to with this project, it was still a fun process and I'm pleased with the results.


 * ART.VA.II.HS.8 || **// I can explore social and global issues through the creative process. //** ||

//__**Social Issue Project: Gay Rights and Discrimination**__//


 * Finished Product Picture(s):**



__Reflective Writing:__

Why I chose This: I chose Gay Rights because I've always been personally influenced by the discrimination towards homosexuals. Many of my friends are part of the LGBT community and have been mentally and physically harassed throughout their life time, suffering through the pressures of judgement of others, fear to be themselves, and the self-conscience feelings caused by constantly watching what you say or do because you don't want to be mocked or abused. I'm proud to be Bisexual, and even though Bisexuals aren't nearly as discriminated against as Homosexuals are, we still do get harassed. I used to get shoved around and teased in school, my peers snickering and calling me a 'nasty lesbian.' Bullying is a major problem in the world today, and it's seen as normal by the general public. It's not often that someone steps up and protects a victim or even tells the bully that what they're doing is wrong and should stop. So long as prejudice exists in the world, there will always be bullying. Judgement against others, in my opinion, is completely wrong. We're all our own people, and deserve to be treated with respect. Homosexuality is viewed as a damnation by the Bible, which blind-sides others from viewing the truth; It's just love. The Bible was created by man, translated into different transcripts for hundreds of years, altering as time progresses; Man makes mistakes. The Bible can't be taken as a factual source, and Homosexuals can't be viewed as an abomination. We're all in God's image, including those who are different than you. We're all blessed with the gift of love, and therefore we should practice this emotion with full hearts and open minds; love is love, regardless of gender. So many people around the world suffer, and even die, because of prejudice. One child sees a bully teasing a homosexual (or any other type of person) and they think it's alright, maybe even causing a negative chain reaction. It's a lot easier to go with the crowd and do what's wrong than to stand up as an individual for what's right.

Problems/Solutions: Some problems I found in this was 1) The environment; I was having a hard time deciding that I wanted to do with the environment for my figures, but eventually I thought of the figure being held back by society's restraints and the rest fell together. 2) The chains; I had to make each link individually with pliers and wind them together to fit over the figure's hand and the black backdrop image of Society's grip. 3) The figures; it took me a while to shape the figures the way I wanted them and to get them to stay in their positions. Not only that, but when glazing, I had to go through the glaze process 3 or 4 times because the layers weren't thick enough or there were complications during glazing, such as the glaze peeling off. I just stuck through it, kept my patience, and continued on.

Pleased/Dissapointed?: Although the glazing was a struggle, and my hands ended up to crack and fall off, and the glaze stuck, ripping off a part of my figure's arm, I'm still happy with my finished product. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I just need to get push those feelings back and enjoy the art that I created; It was out of my hands for what happened to my figures, and they still look great. I feel that my project has a good impact on viewers and easily tells my social issue. It expresses the pain and suffering that homosexuals endure in society and how they're judged. The kneeling man is proposing to the other figure, who is chained by the black figures (society) and is unable to do anything because of these restraints. I feel that this is a very sad, very powerfully evoking image that makes the viewers really think about what's going on, and what the cause and effects are on the figures. It's well put together proportional-wise, and turned out to be a truly wonderful art piece and I wouldn't have re-done it any differently.

__//**Social Issue Painting Critique**//__

Painting:

Identify the social issue being portrayed in one of the following paintings and discuss the viewpoint of the artist. Discuss how the artist used the elements of design to enhance the message. What is your opinion of the piece? Do you believe it is a strong and/or successful? Why or why not?

The social issue portrayed in this painting is smoking. I believe the viewpoint of this artist is that smoking is harmful to the user, as well as the environment. The image shows a smoker, voyaging through a land of pollution and death; the tree is barren, the man's skeleton is exposed, and the vegetation is nonexistent. The smoke emitting from his cigarette is killing himself and the planet. The overall message the artist is showing with this painting is that smoking is bad.

The artist used elements of design to enhance this picture. They used dark colors and blurry lines to enhance the smokey image and feeling of the painting. The colors are very thick looking, and it gives a deeper impression than that of a painting done in light colors; it matches it's issue. The artist composed the picture proportionally, focusing the main attention to the smoker in the painting, surrounding him with deathly images. The shapes are very rounded and curved, bulbous, like a puff of smoke. The space is used well and filled fittingly, the lights and darks mixing well to portray the dark issue with strong feelings.

I think this piece wonderfully exhibits the issue they were trying to portray, and the artist was very clear of their point of view. It's put together well, being perfectly balanced and having just the right touches to give it a strong emotional impact. It truly does show the harm of smoking, and I love the way that the artist chose to depict the smoker (his skeleton showing, as if he's dying and decaying with every puff.) I believe this is a very successful piece with a strong visual impact.