Composite Photo

The goal was to make a composite image uses our own photos, but push against the walls of fair image use. Here I used the renowned "Bliss" image as my background, known for being the popular Windows Desktop Background.

H. John Thompson Lecture October 19

H. John Thompson's lecture was not one that really intrigued me. He told us how his studio is in the basement of his grandfather's bakery, which I am willing to admit is pretty precious and a little detail that makes me happy. I love the idea of keeping your family involved with your work, and bringing where you came from into your career. The work however that John did show us didn't appeal to me. But he did make some good points that a group of worn out art students could stand to keep in mind. The one thing that he spoke about though that remains prominent in my mind though is that a studio is where you can be yourself. No matter what, that is your space and people aren't going to judge your decisions so go for it. John also spoke about how he photographs his entire process, just so he can refer back to and explain where each piece came from/what he was thinking while he did it. John concluded with the importance of just continuing to work. How you may find yourself in a creative rut but it's important to just keep moving and exercising your artistic mind and skills. This is something I'm going to remember.

French Firecrackers

The assignment was to change the meaning of a news photo. Here, these people in France were running from clouds of tear gas. I altered the photo to make it seem as though they were actually running from firecrackers and their massive clouds of smoke. A happier nature now.

Source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2026431,00.html

A Scanner Facely

Scanned my face and illustrated it much like the style of rotoscoping, which is used in A Scanner Darkly.

Ted Talks -- Elizabeth Gilbert on Nurturing Creativity

View the Talk

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the "freakishly successful" novel, Eat Pray Love, spoke back in February of 2009 about the surprising potential origins of creative inspiration. She mentioned how back in Ancient Greece and Rome the artistic success was all thanks to your "daemon" or "genius" -- or as she put it, genie. Basically it was believed that some other entity, a "fairy" of some sort, took a moment to light up your work and you didn't really have anything to do with how good it was. She also mentioned how creative working people has such a rep for being "alcoholic manic depressives" and are often troubled buy their one success in their life that is sure to overshadow any work following it. This is something all creative people face, and Elizabeth knows firsthand with her huge novel that millions of people have read.

Then she goes into the possibility that maybe one shouldn't get down about how they'll never have a work as successful as that one was, rather feel honored that the invisible creative muse stopped by to see them and in turn lit up their life some. Putting that space between yourself and your work allows for some comfort to be salvaged if the piece happens to be disappointing and just plainly awful.

I completely identify with this presentation and feel like viewing it would truly be helpful for anyone who makes things in their life. There is a certain amount of comfort offered in the notion of separating oneself from the work when it is likely to be criticized by others. For instance, as a first year student at art school, critiques are a huge part of the learning process but that doesn't take away from the fact that they easily change confidence in a work into a pile of negativity. Thinking of the creative aspect as something that is loaned to you on occasion to assist you in creating something that will blow minds is a safe way to go about working creatively, but not necessary the best option for people who are just starting out on the voyage of their artistic growth.

Warning Label

This is pretty self explanatory. Often times people tell me I was giving them a nasty glance when I had no intention to do so.

Doug Bucci Freshman Lecture October 5th

Doug Bucci is a metalwork and jewelry professor. Many of his works are related to Diabetes and the visual elements of that. He started his presentation off by stating that he went into his undergraduate career as a father, which only proved to drive him to succeed.  He stated that the faculty that were in his life are his heroes, and they're in his mind still every time he creates something. I found this to be an interesting fact, and it is easily applied. I think of all my different Foundations Classes and the artists who teach them, they all have different, constructive things that say to me about my work and those comments are sure to stick around.

Doug stated that being unsure of what you're doing and uncomfortable in the environment  is key, because that is where you are learning the most. The applies to my life directly, and is definitely something to think about. All art besides capturing moments through my viewfinder is new to me, and it's comforting to think that this uncertainty is a positive aspect rather than a setback. It leaves room to learn entirely, rather than shut out a project or professor's lecture because "I did this in high school." I glad to start fresh, and Doug's words made me feel much more content about it.

Marianne Dages Freshman Lecture September 28th

Marianne was a quiet young lady who had good things to say but hardly the voice for it. I struggled to hear her for the majority of her presentation, and it was short. She is a letterpress and bookbinder based here in Philadelphia. She did say though that it is always important to keep working -- no matter what, just continue to be active in your artistic realm. She also said that it's making work that allows you to be an artist not being an artist that allows you be making work. I found this to be a profound statement, in the way that you're not automatically an artist -- you have to be active in the art and create something without fail. The pieces you create define you rather than the job title.

Marianne also said that the studios and resources that we as freshman here at Tyler have access to should made good use of, because it becomes much harder to follow through once out of school when you don't have all the resources yourself. She also said to take advantage of having the opportunity to have your work critiqued, because not all artists have other peoples' opinions readily available to them. both of these things hit home with me. For one, I know being here at Tyler is an insane opportunity, but I easily get caught up in the masses of projects and work that is due. But I should take time to develop my own mind's thoughts and ideas while I have this great building and it's resources available to me. Also, critiques tend to be very intimidating! But they're something that shouldn't be taken for granted, and definitely well considered because the way others view your work is the way its going to be viewed...because art isn't just for you yourself to stare at. Marianne's presentation helped me to realize these things.

Candy Depew Freshman Lecture September 21st

Candy Depew was an interesting woman to say the least. She displayed her entire room installments at the lecture, and she has a distinct style to her colorful creations. Candy was fun to listen to, very entertaining and had quite an energy to her. The energy she has shines through in the programs she is currently working on. Such as the decals she creates, or the studio she runs that allows for kids to do their own designing!

Candy has worked in various locations and from that has numerous studios of which she uses. Through her success, she has been able to have students apprentice with her and from that, as she stated herself: they learn valuable techniques and network in a way that will set them up for their own careers. It is a great thing that she does, and she really gives back and instills hope in the paranoid art student that swears they'll never get a real career. I appreciated what Candy had to say and her words, along with her pieces -- really were inspiring.