My concentration centers on personally meaningful faces and places. “Artifacts of the Heart” refers to the effect the subjects have had on my personal growth. I have placed them amidst “artifacts” and used specific color schemes to create intimacy. I experimented with composition as my investigation progressed, breaking from standard layouts to more dynamic configurations. I want the audience to feel like they know the subjects’ personalities, including their idiosyncrasies.
My fond feelings for my subjects revealed that nostalgia was going to be a thematic element in my concentration. To demonstrate this theme and to unify each artwork, I incorporated illustrative details in the borders, such as the woven patterns of a favorite blanket or strings of fairy lights from a backyard patio. These mementos are intended to make the viewers curious and invite them to ponder how each detail connects to the subject. I experimented with composition from piece to piece by positioning smaller figures and shapes alongside larger portraits. I also used several cutouts to ensure that various focal points stood out (see #11). I wanted to have more control in creating dynamic compositions, like carefully put-together scrapbook pages.The first piece allowed me to study values with a limited palette in preparation for the larger #4 piece. Through the careful application of masking tape, I created multiple breaks in pieces to tell the viewer how to “read” each narrative. This is especially evident in the painting of my piano teacher (#12), where the viewer learns who she is and what she does by “reading” the artwork from left to right.
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418 Newport Beach Watercolor and graphite on watercolor paper NFS
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Auntie Micael and Pintobean Watercolor, india ink, micron pen, coffee, and colored pencil on watercolor paper NFS
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The Vans Diptych Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, and gouache on watercolor paper NFS
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Tomato House Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, watercolor resist, and gouache on watercolor paper Inquire for pricing
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The Scotts Watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on watercolor paper and mat board NFS
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ASAP Cats Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, and glue on watercolor paper NFS
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The Heidners and Me Watercolor, watercolor colored pencil, micron pen, watercolor resist, and marker on watercolor paper NFS
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Jane Watercolor, gouache, micron pen, marker, watercolor colored pencil NFS
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The Coopers Watercolor, colored pencil, marker, micron pen, and watercolor resist on illustration board NFS