For the IB diploma I decided to take IB SL art, even when I was little I have always enjoyed art whether I was good at it or not was a different question entirely. When I entered middle school I excelled in art and enjoyed the classes, my art would be shown and overall I did fairly well. Once I started the ninth grade I picked up art again, but found I didn't really enjoy it any more. After my dreaded first year my second year I decided I was going to work harder and practiced at home, I ended up loving the class and loved 3-D art especially. I was recommended for IB art and took the opportunity.
Going into the program I knew it would be difficult, but I was driven to do well and try my hardest. I wanted to document my first few projects and keep track of my development as an artist.
Going into the program I knew it would be difficult, but I was driven to do well and try my hardest. I wanted to document my first few projects and keep track of my development as an artist.
First Assignment: Through the Eyes of a Child
This assignment was writing about a moment we remember as a child and to do a piece that represented our perspective of the time on this memory. An important part of this assignment is the art of symbolism, I decided I wanted to do mine on a memory I had after my grandfather had passed. We were and are not a church going family, but as a child I was always worried because we did not go to church, that he would not be able to hear my prayers. As a child I received free balloons at Publix I would write my prayers on a piece of paper, tie it to the balloon, and release it into the sky. At first I was the only one who did this but after sometime, my family would gather on the weekend and we would do it together. This was not only a way to grieve over the death but to cope in a positive way and strengthen the bonds we have. Around this time I was getting involved with a sanctuary called Big Cat Rescue, which I have mentioned in previous posts. I fell in love with the tigers especially, which I saw myself in. Tigers are solitary like me being an only child and were reclusive as I was shy when I was younger.
This project I decided to do in colored pencils as it allowed me to depict fur in a way paints would limit me.
This assignment was writing about a moment we remember as a child and to do a piece that represented our perspective of the time on this memory. An important part of this assignment is the art of symbolism, I decided I wanted to do mine on a memory I had after my grandfather had passed. We were and are not a church going family, but as a child I was always worried because we did not go to church, that he would not be able to hear my prayers. As a child I received free balloons at Publix I would write my prayers on a piece of paper, tie it to the balloon, and release it into the sky. At first I was the only one who did this but after sometime, my family would gather on the weekend and we would do it together. This was not only a way to grieve over the death but to cope in a positive way and strengthen the bonds we have. Around this time I was getting involved with a sanctuary called Big Cat Rescue, which I have mentioned in previous posts. I fell in love with the tigers especially, which I saw myself in. Tigers are solitary like me being an only child and were reclusive as I was shy when I was younger.
This project I decided to do in colored pencils as it allowed me to depict fur in a way paints would limit me.
Second Assignment: Surrealism
This assignment consisted of doing extensive research on the surrealist movement, a movement defined by those trying to access their unconscious mind. Using a wide variety of objects to symbolize political movements, societal demands, etc. For this project we were asked to choose something we are passionate about and do a surrealist impression on that passion. My passion is helping big cats but due to humans encroaching on their territory their numbers have rapidly declined, similar to global warming in the sense of how humans have severely altered the environment. Another aspect to this project was the cruelty of big cats in America and how those at the sanctuary are very scared when they arrive due to human abuse. But overtime they go through a transformation where they change and begin to trust again, while retaining their wild instincts.
I chose to do a "carving" of a mixture of two big cats I happen to really admire (snow leopards and lions) on an iceberg. The iceberg symbolized how humans are damaging the environment and causing them to melt in the way humans are damaging a multitude of big cat territories. The iceberg also symbolizes how the big cats at the sanctuary are forever changing and you can physically see their transformations over time.
An interesting aspect of this project is I decided to paint the "negative" of a typical iceberg or invert the colors, I saw painters online do this method but typically chose to use just black and white. I wanted to use color to show that my piece had multiple meanings. The eyes of the cat I painted the globe in order to demonstrate that this damage done in the environment is not in one place, but rather a global issue.
This assignment consisted of doing extensive research on the surrealist movement, a movement defined by those trying to access their unconscious mind. Using a wide variety of objects to symbolize political movements, societal demands, etc. For this project we were asked to choose something we are passionate about and do a surrealist impression on that passion. My passion is helping big cats but due to humans encroaching on their territory their numbers have rapidly declined, similar to global warming in the sense of how humans have severely altered the environment. Another aspect to this project was the cruelty of big cats in America and how those at the sanctuary are very scared when they arrive due to human abuse. But overtime they go through a transformation where they change and begin to trust again, while retaining their wild instincts.
I chose to do a "carving" of a mixture of two big cats I happen to really admire (snow leopards and lions) on an iceberg. The iceberg symbolized how humans are damaging the environment and causing them to melt in the way humans are damaging a multitude of big cat territories. The iceberg also symbolizes how the big cats at the sanctuary are forever changing and you can physically see their transformations over time.
An interesting aspect of this project is I decided to paint the "negative" of a typical iceberg or invert the colors, I saw painters online do this method but typically chose to use just black and white. I wanted to use color to show that my piece had multiple meanings. The eyes of the cat I painted the globe in order to demonstrate that this damage done in the environment is not in one place, but rather a global issue.
Final Piece:
This is the final piece when put as the inverse or the negative of the final piece that I made.
This is the final piece when put as the inverse or the negative of the final piece that I made.
Third Assignment: Individual Project
For this project we were able to choose the subject and medium that we were going to use. I wanted to highlight the special relationship my autistic cousin, Declan and me, have. My cousin Declan doesn't verbally communicate often so I learned to pick up on some sign language and one of the few times he verbally communicates is when he talks about his favorite movie series, Star Wars. In order to have conversations with him I have now watched all of the Star War's movies at least 10 times and studied up on all the different characters and ships. A medium I had always wanted to attempt was 3D art; it was something I hadn't really delved into. First I had to develop an armature with wire, duct tape, and paper towels. I wanted to have a hand extended signing the word "stars"; I also wanted the background to be a galaxy. I wanted to depict how he can achieve all of his dreams despite him being autistic. I love my cousin and I really want to spread autistic awareness through my artwork.
For this project we were able to choose the subject and medium that we were going to use. I wanted to highlight the special relationship my autistic cousin, Declan and me, have. My cousin Declan doesn't verbally communicate often so I learned to pick up on some sign language and one of the few times he verbally communicates is when he talks about his favorite movie series, Star Wars. In order to have conversations with him I have now watched all of the Star War's movies at least 10 times and studied up on all the different characters and ships. A medium I had always wanted to attempt was 3D art; it was something I hadn't really delved into. First I had to develop an armature with wire, duct tape, and paper towels. I wanted to have a hand extended signing the word "stars"; I also wanted the background to be a galaxy. I wanted to depict how he can achieve all of his dreams despite him being autistic. I love my cousin and I really want to spread autistic awareness through my artwork.