Meg's World sketches

I started a few sketches based on the Carnival/Meg's World theme. I immediately thought of the carnival rides and flags literally popping out of a head. Application wise, I'm thinking of using some stenciling and silkscreens.

I did this one with my mother in mind... combining the carnival with the concept from the tribute tattoo... the dragonfly has symbolism of transformation and transcendence. I also tried it as a moth or butterfly but i think i like the dragonfly better. I'd like it to have an elegance reminiscent of art nouveau. I need to brush up on my figure drawing skills to really make this work.

Then I had an idea for a fun house mirror with a twist. A distorted body stands in front of a mirror but comes out looking normal. Not sure how I'll actually be able to draw this... the rough sketch kinda gets the point across... but i want it to feel more real.

This is a quick sketch of an idea I have for a piece ala Rauschenberg....a little more abstract but using some transfers and collage. This is a rough composition but it'll come together in the process.

Brainstorming Project Ideas

I've been musing over a few project ideas. Keep in mind, this is just me brainstorming so not everything is completely thought out. And sentence structure is choppy.


1. I have a collection of lists. Grocery lists. Not mine. Ones that I've found. I'm not sure what I'd do with them though. Similar to the Lost & Found stuff maybe... or just a matter of placing in a book as an on going side project.

2. Tribute to my mother.... possibly expanding on the piece I did last summer. Maybe trying some new techniques. Focusing on one or a couple images. Maybe incorporating photos with drawing... symbolism. Somehow using the drawing I did for my tattoo...?

3. We've already established Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg as two of my favorite artists and influences. I want to take a closer look into what it is about them that I like. How exactly they are influencing me. Investigate their work more closely. Possibly try my own versions of combines(minus the dead animals) or 3D components. More work with transfers and encaustic. Build my own canvas structures.

4. Meg's World... a term Sarah came up with. I guess to name the place I often spend time in rather than reality. I've always been introverted. (my myers-briggs personality type is INFJ) But my "world" might perhaps be a little darker than one might think, particularly as of late. Thinking about this idea, I envision vintage carnival posters. Whimsical but slightly dark. Emphasis on the absurd, grotesque... I also envision the work of Art Chantry, one of my favorite designers. And while searching for images I came across Fred Stonehouse.

Art Chantry

Fred Stonehouse

Perhaps there is a way I can combine some of these concepts. Or have a couple things happening in tandem. My next step is to start sketching out some ideas and then try experimenting with materials and techniques.

Numbers

Numbers

Tonight I went to Fleisher for a painting class, also know as therapy. The actual title of the class is "Painting Intuitively" and encourages one to paint for the experience and not necessarily the end result. For this week's class we were told to bring in piece of our art work and a picture of an artist's work that inspires us. The assignment for the night was to then take one or both of those pieces to use as a point of departure. We could use the color palette, texture or some element of the piece.
Of course I chose Jasper Johns for my inspiration piece. I can't find the particular picture online that I was using from a book but I found the brighter color version.... I'll try to replace it with the muted color version later.

Anyway, this is what I came up with.

detail

I started with just trying to copy the color palette with grayish blues and greens and hints of yellow and brown. But then I wanted to make the texture more interesting so I used the dot screen stencil I had. Then I tried playing with the number stencils. I chose to make them sporadic as opposed to in rows so that it didn't become too literal of an interpretation of Johns. I haven't decided yet if this is done or if I want to go back with more layers.

Fortune Cookie

Well I hope not. I already had enough big changes. Maybe some little ones would be okay. Good changes. Happy changes. Changes for the better.

But maybe I picked up the wrong cookie. My roommate's fortune was something about getting a present from a brunette. Um, yes, I'll take that fortune please.

New

This past year was a rocky roller coaster of change for me. Some good, some bad. But it left me with disconnected feelings of self, home, and direction. I've been trying to operate under the guise that everything is alright, but it's not. I feel alone, empty, scared. The emotional mess bubbles just under the surface like a not-so dormant volcano. I hide it well. Distract myself with movies, video games, sleeping, cleaning the house, drinking with friends...anything to keep me from thinking inward. The past couple months, I've been living in a haze. Connected enough to take care of necessary tasks but just barely there on the surface.

The worst part about it all is that I haven't been putting enough into my art work. The whole reason I decided to leave my job and go back to school was so I could explore the one passion I've held on to my entire life, ART. And here I've been neglecting her, when she is in fact the key to my healing. The conduit for the bubbling emotions to be released and converted into peace. And how sad that the skills of my hands have gone unpracticed; left to slip slowly away.

But now it is a new year, new semester. I see it as a cue to hit the refresh button. Move on to a new chapter. No more excuses. No more neglect. No more distractions. Now it is time rekindle my love affair with the creative craft and reconnect with myself.