Computer Art? 03/12/2011
So I went to my roommate's house and his dad works for HP so he was a lot of really cool gadgets. On of the ones that I was to fiddle with for a while was a touch screen computer. I naturally wanted to his what I could do in paint. It was incredibly intriguing being able to use a stylus and basically be drawing in the computer. Here was the drawing that I was able to do just in paint.  I think for paint it was pretty cool but then I switched to his other touch screen. This one was using Linux and had a pretty cool image creating program called Gimp. So I fiddled so more with the image. It was really fun to use a complete new medium other than charcoal. Granted, computer graphics in my opinion is quite a bit easier than actually pencils. But it was fun to see what I could do.  3 Comments What inspires me? 03/08/2011
It has been such a long time that I posted anything on this blog and I am sorry to those of you who actually read and comment on my blog! Thanks for doing that. Anyways, I thought I would share my perspective again on one of my favorite potters, Peter Beasecker. He basically embodies everything that I look for in a potter. He has a great sense of contrast and unity. Here is a portion of his bio from his website "He has been recognized for many years as a maker of quiet, elegant porcelain pots reflecting a studied and haptic sensibility. Beasecker’s recent work has concentrated on ‘carriers’, dark stoneware vessels holding numerous porcelain cups or bowls. He also continues his porcelain work making simple plates, bowls, and vases." I don't understand what it is that I find so captivating about the beauty of repetition. But I think it comes from the idea of familiarity. When I look at a piece with 15 cups on one plate, instead of seeing what some might as the piece being just monotonous, I see a family and I see a beautiful union connected together. There is something special about that unity that connects to me the way that a ballad connects to a lover’s soul and an old record player connects to an elderly man. It reminds me of my family and the feelings of being wanted and accepted and through this; I feel satisfaction in his pieces. I am only to cover a couple of his pieces but here is the first.  First I want to point out the beauty in his choice of texture for the piece. The piece clearly has a beautiful element of unity in the piece but the splash of color adds an interesting aspect to the piece. What it adds is contrast and a sense of vibrancy to the piece. The color yellow archetype for the emotions of happiness, life and joy and contrasting this with the somber dark grey is provides incredible insight to the piece. I absolutely love the highlights from the yellow and the little amount of orange in the handle of the carry. The piece is simply beautiful,  The second differs from the other piece in providing different contrast and focus in the piece. This piece again speaks to me in the striving for a goal of the upholding a utopian ideal. I see this through the beautiful high centered carrier of the tray with the small vessels all surrounding the piece. I see this as the prized possession being held up by common people with all their might and pushing to make sure that this is maintained to a high level of expertise. I love the contrast in the glossy and matte textures in the piece. The glossy black highlights in a strong but different way from the matte dark grey. I do not know how to express how much I love Peter Beasecker but I think it focuses on the idea that he has an idea and he executes this idea. Beauty doesn’t have to be extremely extravagant and elaborate in order to be considered beautiful, there is beauty in the simple. Many times, the simple and concise is the hardest to find in art. How does art change us? 10/04/2010
I recently went back to high school to pick up my Research Notebook for IB which I think itself is art. But while I was there I had the chance to talk to my teacher about a few different things but also about art and how it changes you as a person. We both came to the conclusion that art does not just give you a hobby or something to do, but art changes your entire perspective on life. I think why art is so ingrained and life changing is because true art comes from deeper than an assignment. People who do what they love instinctively invest more time and effort into that project because they feel passionately about it. In the same way, artists are in essence pouring out their souls so that they can translate a message to the masses of people. What authors do in pages of writing, artists do in one picture, one painting or one vase. When I was learning to throw of the wheel, the tools that I was using were always described to me as an extension of your hand. But the real extension was the clay itself. The type of work that I did in class was often times dependent on my mood and emotions that day. Sometimes if I had an important exam that day, I wouldn't be able to throw well because I was so tense and distracted. All of this is to say that art is a part of the life of an artist. When you buy a vase from a pottery, you are not buying just the skill of the potter, but also the emotion and the memories that go along with that vase. Our art is reflect of ourselves and our own views on life. The Art of Yunomi 05/26/2010
So early in my ceramics experience, an assignment that we did was focusing on cups and learning to throw different style cups. It was an interesting experience was we realized that being able to throw a cup exactly the way is harder than it seems. In addition to the cup, the potter needs to keep in mind the type of handle and the placement of the handle. All for a cup. But what I find intriguing and beautiful is the way that different potters make a cup. Recent on Akar Design, they hosted a show in the Yunomi form. I love looking at the hundreds of yunomi cups that people had made and picking ones that I personally liked and then looking at ones that I didn't like. The Yunomi Invitational is incredible. Here are some of my favorites. Ted Adler This is my favorite out of the entire invitational. I love the color and the texture of the yunomi and the undulation is beautiful. But I also see where the hand goes when holding the little cup. Yunomi cups are used in the Japanese tea ceremony and need to be both elegant and simple. This is the accomplishment by Adler. It has the right amount of change while still maintaining the form of the cup. Alisa Holen What I like about this cup is the lichen glaze and the colors. It is fairly obvious from my ceramics portfolio and my favorite picks that I love earth tones for pottery. I think it is because I think that the pottery should look like pottery and not like the a cup that you bought from the store. I needs to stand apart from american commercialization. Holen definitely accomplishes this with her work. She uses the simple and natural colors. I also like the added base. Even it seems out of place for a yunomi and a bit martini glass reminiscent, if you follow the lines of the shape the line is beautiful. Harlan House Simple. Regal. Precise. Harlan House is one of my favorite potters. He can use both volume and size while still keeping the yunomi to look light. If I were going to perform the tea ceremony, House's yunomis would be without a doubt my first choice. I love this one. Stanton Hunter This again is an amazing cup. What I look for in potter is the artist to be able to maintain a sense for what the vessel is for and to combine it with their own perspective. I guess that would be interpretation but with recognition of the origin. The clash of east and west can be interesting but it can very easily become tacky or inappropriate if it is not down in a tasteful fashion. On this yunomi, I love the black and white and the small dimple of the side of the cup. This is asking to be held.  I want to try to do some yunomis like Hunters. The left are vessels that I made with a similar style. Black and White matte black with undulation. Matt Long Speaking of the clash of east and west, this is what Matt Long accomplishes. His piece has a southern and down to earth appeal but does not push the boundaries of the additives. In addition, his color choice is incredible. I had the opportunity to take a class with Matt Long and I would to here his theories on form and function. He makes things that have an aesthetically beautiful form while still maintaining the function of the piece...victory. Alleghany Meadows One of my favorite potters as well. Elegance and simplicity and he should know. For those of you who do not know, Meadows apprenticed under Takashi Nakazato which would be where I would like that he gets his beautiful form and simplicity. I also had the opportunity to take a class with Meadows and it was incredible to see how relaxed he was as a potter. I love the repetition and the uniformity in his work. So those are my picks as my favorites of the invitational. For my final presentation last year, one of my pieces was my yunomi sets. I love this piece. But for some reason, I do not have that picture. Once I get it I will post it. It is one of my favorite pieces. My obsession continues... 05/15/2010
I love photography. I had the opportunity to Winter Park these past 3 days. And while I was there of course I did not past up the opportunity to try to take some awesome photos. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty cloudy so I couldn't get clear shots of the mountains which was a complete bummer. But at the place where we were staying, there was a incredible historic part with very rustic builds and structures. I went crazy and took over 70 pictures. I am going to post some of my favorites. A few of these will also go into my portfolio. Please tell me what you think!!! That is the only way that I can get better!!!  Cleaning my lens getting ready to take pictures...     So let me know what your thoughts are! Back to my roots... 05/13/2010
I guess in discovering new facets of art and learning, you always have to go back to where you started. For me this was pottery. What was it about molding a lump of earth that appealed to me as person? It seems that in some level, all children and people begin with creating from the earth. I can remember as a child making mud pies and houses out of the dirt in our backyard and even going as far as exclaiming how incredible the mud construction was and showing my parents. But it seems that as we grow older, we are told that playing in the dirt is for kids. We are told to be more refined and to do things that better soots our age. Also look to where we regress as human beings. Look at middle aged men, many of them spend much of their time working in their yards; maintaining their lawns. In addition look at the elder people; they spend much of their time pruning and clipping their rose bushes and flowers. So what I am trying to say is that we need to remember how to be kids. In the midst of the crazy work and studying for school i want to remember what it was like to be free to rule in a kingdom where there is no right or wrong. This is what pottery did for me. It allowed for me to be able to return to my childhood for a moment and experience bliss. I do not want to wait until I am old to be able to do this, I want this now. It is like the artist had told me before in my other posts, life doesn't wait around for you. In all, art needs to return to me. I don't know how yet but I think that when I do, I will know that it is right. Here's to discovery... On a different note.... 05/11/2010
I need to start some more art!!! Its killing me that I haven't been really doing anything artistic for the past year almost. It sad. Hopefully I will be able to find something before this summer ends. I feel as though my artistic taste will be lost if I do not start something soon. Well, maybe I won't lose the artistic taste but maybe it will regress. Second, I have posted a new page on photography. I am absolutely no expert on photography but I love taking pictures. I posted a few that I really like. Please let me know what you think! Tattoo Art 05/10/2010
Another form of art that is amazing to me is tattoo art. I think it is incredible to see what people permanently put on themselves. A very well known tattoo artist is Kat Von D. Her tattoo art is incredible. Here are some of her pictures.   Images are from: http://www.katvond.net/tattoos.html Tattoo art is incredible. The amount of detail that the individuals are able to get with the tip of a needle. I have myself wanted to get a tattoo. I view it as an expression of myself as an artist allowing myself to be able to permanent establish myself.  I guess in a way the tattoo is an artist statement. However, tattoos are able to transfer from the tattoo artist to the individual. Looking at this tattoo in particular, what is seen is the aesthetic of the artistic individual and the desire of the individual. what the tattoo allows for an individual is to project an image that the individual wants in a more permanent fashion. Tattoos in my opinion can be seen as an accessory to the individuals. It is another form of permanent clothing. Tattoos are an image, word or phrase that comes from our mind. Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkonig/4585329251/in/pool-the_original_tattoos_group So, why do I want a tattoo? I want something that is able to establish myself as a individual. I think I am now being to individualize myself and separate myself from the rest of society. For myself, I want a tattoo that symbolizes who I am. A tattoo is not just something that I want to do because I turned a certain age but because I am. I think with this, a tattoo is art. It is not just a bummer sticker or a decal but it is your mind and your thoughts going through your skin and finally reaching the surface. Will I get a tattoo? I am still undecided. I have to find something I absolutely care about. Only until I find this will I get a tattoo. Art Minor Update and Spain 03/22/2010
So here's there deal. I won't be able to do an art minor which completely sucks. The reason is because the Art Minor program at Cedarville does not allow for any changes to the art minor program, which is really unfortunate. However, on a different note, I will be studying abroad in Spain! Not my sophomore year but in my junior year. I will be in Seville, which is the center of the collaboration of the Islamic and Spanish art. I will be looking into being able to do some sort of studio art class while I am there. That would be awesome if I could study there for art. It would definitely change my views on art and enlighten me. So that's the plan so far. We'll see where God leads me. New Opportunity! 01/08/2010
I am excited to say that I have finally decided that in my college education I will begin to pursue art. I will not be doing an art major but I will be doing an art minor. Here is a small blurb about what I will be doing! "Art: The art minor provides an opportunity for students with aptitude in the visual arts to receive formal instruction in art. In addition to skill-based instruction, special attention is given to building a philosophical and historical understanding of art from a scriptural perspective. It is suggested that students who minor in art begin the program no later than the sophomore year. Course requirements involve 17 - 18 semester hours including 15 hours of art core and 2 - 3 hours of an art elective." (www.cedarville.edu/academics/musicartworship/academics.cfm?type=MINR) I found that art is something that I think I could ever live without. I need some sort of artistic expression in my life. I was talking to an artist and they said to me "If you really feel at your heart, that art is what you want to do, you have to follow it. Don’t wait with this until you will retire. You never know how long you will live :) and also, people who start doing art when they are already old, most of the time never reach good level. But what is probably most important, to live your life in happiness, it is good to do what is most important to you." Art is therapy to me like tennis is. It allows me to channel emotion into that one moment and after that I feel relieved. So art is on the plate for next year. We will so how it goes! | ArchivesMarch 2011 CategoriesAll |
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