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.
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.
1.
418 Newport Beach
Watercolor and graphite on watercolor paper
Watercolor and graphite on watercolor paper
2.
Auntie Micael and Pintobean
Watercolor, india ink, micron pen, coffee, and colored pencil on watercolor paper
Watercolor, india ink, micron pen, coffee, and colored pencil on watercolor paper
3.
The Vans Diptych
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, and gouache on watercolor paper
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, and gouache on watercolor paper
4.
Tomato House
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, watercolor resist, and gouache on watercolor paper
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, watercolor resist, and gouache on watercolor paper
5.
The Scotts
Watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on watercolor paper and mat board
Watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on watercolor paper and mat board
6.
ASAP Cats
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, and glue on watercolor paper
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, colored pencil, and glue on watercolor paper
7.
The Heidners and Me
Watercolor, watercolor colored pencil, micron pen, watercolor resist, and marker on watercolor paper
Watercolor, watercolor colored pencil, micron pen, watercolor resist, and marker on watercolor paper
8.
Jane
Watercolor, gouache, micron pen, marker, watercolor colored pencil
Watercolor, gouache, micron pen, marker, watercolor colored pencil
9.
The Coopers
Watercolor, colored pencil, marker, micron pen, and watercolor resist on illustration board
Watercolor, colored pencil, marker, micron pen, and watercolor resist on illustration board
10.
Cross Country
Illustration board, tracing paper, rubber cement, WC, colored pencil, micron pen, marker
Illustration board, tracing paper, rubber cement, WC, colored pencil, micron pen, marker
11.
The Lubachs
Glue, watercolor resist, marker, micron pen, and colored pencil on watercolor paper
Glue, watercolor resist, marker, micron pen, and colored pencil on watercolor paper
12.
Mrs. Mele
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, and colored pencil on illustration board
Watercolor, marker, micron pen, and colored pencil on illustration board
