09.23.13

This week we are working on our "Pick Three" project, which is exactly what it means. We picked three cards: one principle of design, one media, and one type of art. I got collage as my media, variety as my principle (perfect pair I know), and expressionism as my art type. I'm actually starting to get excited after looking through Mrs. Bjork's pin boards on Pinterest. I was also inspired by the expressionism a lot -- which is just expressing your feelings through the art work like Pullock and Picasso (his blue period is some of my favorite work).  For this project I really want to focus on expressing my feelings through this piece while still having variety and hopefully a good collage piece. I want to also use paint for my helper media and possible a little colored pencil. Here is my brainstorming on my Pinterest and a list of places I did my research:

• http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Expressionism.html
• http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/220229.html#sample1
• http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/expressionism.htm
• http://www.pinterest.com/bellafiore3/

09.03.13

Here is my feedback for the websites Mrs. Bjork asked us to visit for class.

1. http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov/ - I found this website really interesting. I didn't realize all the different kind of grants that are given out for art students. It makes me jealous of the opportunities art students have to receive money for their hard work and dedication. I was really intrigued by the artist fellowship award which gives out $8,000 in scholarships per student, but it is only open every two years. I also liked how the website has access to art news throughout the state, and the directory of art shows and craft shows is a helpful tool that would be nice to use to see other people's work.

2. http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov/ - This site really awed me. The work on here is amazing. One artist, Amy Arntson, does watercolor paintings, and I couldn't even believe they were watercolor. They look like photographs! It really inspired me because I would like to learn how to paint with watercolor and learn how to render and be so detailed with watercolor like that. I also always wanted to try oil painting and Jeffery Hargreaves's work really caught my eye. His rendering style and detailed work is amazing. His still life paintings look almost real. I want to be able to master the concept of thick over thin when dealing with oil paint. Here is some of their work:

Grandfather's Time - Jeffery Hargreaves 

Vanilla Bottle - Jeffery Hargreaves

Echo - Amy Arntson

Evening Sun - Amy Arntson

3. http://www.artandwriting.org/ - The artwork on here is even more amazing because it is made my students my age. I was really impressed with the details and amazing rendering on some of the drawings -- the work looked so realistic, it makes me want to become so much better. I think it's amazing to know there are people out there my age with so much talent already and maybe I'll have to work a little harder, but if I put the work in I will succeed and become better. Here is some of the work that really stood out to me:

Mr. Neal - Stephen Barnes

Senior - Lauren Bruton

09.02.13

Tomorrow is the first day of school and I have eight finished works for the summer! Yay! for being a little ahead in at least one AP class! I think this summer I have really learned a lot, using a different rendering style that I think is really successful. I also learned a lot about proportion when dealing with facial features. Here are some of my finished works so far: