Exercise 1

Since I've already had some experience in photoshop, I decided to check out the new features of CS4. This program is so much more user-friendly as everything I need is right on the desktop already. I had a lot of fun play around with the adjustments panel and it really helped to set the mood of my piece. Since I wanted the focus of the image to be the woman's dreamlike, mer-self, I needed the real woman to be less in focus and for the reflected image to be in high contrast. I played around with the new selection features in the curves adjustment and found that I could select white, black, and mid-tone points to really give the image a complex depth and feel.

Class Reviews

Gregory Crewdson was seen by all as an exposer of the bleak and lonely despite his rich and vibrant use of color and texture. Most seemed to think that of all the works, his were the most difficult to decipher in that they dwelled on the questions rather than the answers. Teun Hock's seemed to be a general class favorite as his humor and painterly style is easily relatable and recognizable. One student observed that his pieces were meant to be seen in sequence and that they represent little obstacles of life. Jeff Wall received mixed reviews depending on whether or not the observer appreciated the beauty in his drab and excessively ordinary snapshots of human interaction. Some observed the matter-of-fact way that the eye calmly moves throughout his works. Sherman was generally appreciated for her bold depiction of women and the exposure of what society wants to see in a woman and who the woman truly is. Her consistent black and white added variety and perspective to this group of artists.

Inherited Traits-My Reaction

I was very much inspired by both the artists whose work was featured in the new inherited traits exhibit. The theme of "family" was taken beyond the happy-go-lucky domestic cliche and was explored through abstract, humorous, metaphorical and somber subject matter. While the Supermarket Family Tree was very funny, I didn't really see the reason behind the fantasy pairings. I loved the concept of us as the public knowing these icons as members of our family, being on our dinner table, but I would have liked more research to have gone into the trends and cultural developments that created the evolution of these supermarket icons. It would have been more a research project than art, but I was a little disappointed when I found out that the fantasy pairings had no true correlation in any historical or cultural way. The little girl on roller skates didn't impress me either. The concept was genuine but there was just something about the presentation that was annoying rather than disturbing. I did, however, appreciate the picture wall of the nightgown project, though I would have liked to have seen the life size growth of the girl. To me, the interest was in watching her develop, not in the finding of the locations. I was most inspired by the videos depicting enslavement and the hope that emerged despite cruel and harsh environments. I thought they were expertly edited and designed. Video is my favorite media and I took away from the exhibit.

Influences part c

Art nouveau is one of my favorite trends in 21st century art. The crisp and elegant lines and vibrant colors create an easy feel. I love the curves and style and I must include some aspect of this style in my pieces.

Influences part b

Organic materials and textures are something I like to take advantage of in my digital artwork. I like a piece to look clean but accessible, as if it wasn't created by computer at all. There's something about an old newspaper or antique piece of wood or fabric that removes the invisible line between our world and the digital world.

Influences

Theater is my one biggest influence as far as my style. I have a taste for the dramatic and I love when an image can keep your attention and keep you coming back. This is the logo of the new sequel to one of my favorite shows Phantom of the Opera called Love Never Dies. The image is haunting and powerful and is especially effective in it's simplicity and dramatic lighting. It also contains fine detail and gives a very antique and non-digital feel, even though it was obviously produced digitally.