Whats Your Plan?

This is the work that I would like to include in the show. The materials i used for this were paper, paint, hot glue, and there will be some pencil. The piece is approximatly 20" x 16". I would want it to be hung up vertically like a painting.

Since I plan on being done with this piece soon, I still wanted to try the idea I had with the crackling paint if I have time.

Preparing to Visit the Galleries

Question: How do you choose what work enters the gallery? Is there a theme you try to keep?

Select two that will be a priority for you to visit while we're there. please explain why you select the galleries you do.

Although I will not be there for the exhibit, I would have liked to see the Boston Sculptor Gallery because it relates a lot to the project that I am working on in class. I especially liked the piece on the opening page where there was a transparent sculpture which allowed the viewer to see another form inside of it. I thought that was very creative, and would have liked to see it in person.
The other gallery which interested me was the Howard Yezerski Gallery where there was an exhibition which played with brush strokes and texture. Since I plan to begin painting my project soon, it gave me ideas of how to create texture with the paint to make the shapes more real, and noticeable.

Week 5

This week, I continued to work on my sculptural project playing with shapes using paper. I have expanded my idea a little, and added more shapes, and will most likely continue to do so. Next week, I hope to finish the building part, and begin choosing colors, and painting the paper. I also hope to finish the project in time to start the other idea I had which plays around with crackling paint.

Week 5

This week, I continued to work on my sculptural project playing with shapes using paper. I have expanded my idea a little, and added more shapes, and will most likely continue to do so. Next week, I hope to finish the building part, and begin choosing colors, and painting the paper. I also hope to finish the project in time to start the other idea I had which plays around with crackling paint.

Articles About the Boston Art Scene

In response to what you've read describe the shift that has been occurring over the past year in the Boston gallery world. How do you think these changes might affect the Boston art world, in general (artists, collectors, museums, schools, etc.) for better or worse?

Over the past year, the significant change in our economy has been responsible for the closings of many art galleries in Boston. I think, because art is not a necessity, people would rather spend their money on basic items needed to survive, and live a healthy life. The luxury of an art gallery cannot provide food for a family, or put a roof over ones head. However; I also think the change in the economy can be a positive thing for artists as stated in the reading. This can be a new opportunity for extreme creativity. Now, artists are forced to think in new ways in terms of process, exhibition, and especially materials.

Have you ever been to an art gallery (not a museum)? Describe your experience there.

I don't think I've ever been to an art gallery, besides the ones at Beaver.

Week 3

This week I further explored one of my experiments from before break. I made a drawing into a 3-D structure of paper. I am hoping to make the lines cleaner and make the image bigger, and on nicer paper.

I am also working with another idea using crackle paint similar to another experiment that I started last week.

During the critique on Thursday, I asked my group if they thought it mattered that I was creating such different pieces since my theme is playing around with absract shapes. They said that it might be interesting to combine the two ideas into one piece. I also explained to my group that I was at a loss in terms of the colors that I should use for the 3-D piece and they said it would be interesting to use really bold colors.

Surviving the Critique

In your opinion, what do you think the role of the critique, as it's described in this chapter, could be in a class like ours?

The role of the critique in our class would be the same as described in the reading. It would be a chance for students to get feedback, and critisicm on what they have been working on. I also see it as a chance to see what other people in the class are working on since we are all so divided within the room.

According to this chapter and your past experiences, how can you get the most out of a critique of your own work?

I think in order to get the most out of a critique you have to ask a lot of questions. Especially if there is a specific problem you are having that maybe no one else is noticing, than you can point it out and see what they have to say. Otherwise, there is no other way to bring attention to it. The reading also says that you have to become disconnected to your art in a way, in order to understand what others are saying in a non-defensive manner.

How can you be a helpful participant in your classmates' critiques?

It is helpful to answer any questions that they have, and to be constructive instead of just saying that you do not like something without giving a reason. I also think that if many people have negative things to say about the art, it is nice to try and point out something that you like a s well.

Alternative Exhibition Formats Response

Over the break, take another look at the Alternative Exhibition Format slideshow. Think about which artist's work was the most interesting to you in terms of format. Make a post and talk about what the artist does with format, and why you think it is interesting. In addition talk about what you think the focus of your exploration will be in the weeks when you get back from break. Are you going to play with a specific process? Do you want to experiment with materials? Is there a theme you want to explore?

The exhibit that I found to be most interesting was Cai Guo-Quiang's piece called "head on." I liked it because it was obviously very eye catching. This piece takes up a lot of space, and I thought it was cool because it trails into the next room. When someone looks at this piece I can imagine lots of questions running through their heads about the meaning, or the process of creating the piece. It is extremely creative, and I like how the glass wall was incorporated into the piece. It looks like time was stopped in that room.
When I return from break, I hope to explore more with space, and different shapes. I would also like to continue with the paint like I was before the break. I am not looking at a specific theme, other than abstract shapes, and spaces. I am still having a hard time coming up with an overall concept, especially since we are given so much freedom. I just need to continue to gather more ideas, and hopefully get started on something soon.

Week 2

This week started very slow for me. I began by reading Twyla Tharps piece on getting started, which helped a little. Then, I did some sketching on my brainstorming sheet, and experimented with paint a little bit. I also did some drawing with colored pencils. I really want to do something different from what I usually do, which is why I have been working with paint so much.

Art & Fear

1. "Talent, in common parlance, is "what comes easily". So sooner or later, inevitably, you reach a point where the work doesn't come easily, and --Aha!, it's just as you feared!"

Most of the time, art is seen as an activity that one only takes part in when given the talent, or special ability to do it. In this case, it is seen that they don't have to try when they create great pieces, it simply comes to them without effort. However, this is not the case. Artists need to come up with a concept for their art, and I find that finding a starting point is the hardest part. Art is considered a free activity where anything can be created and interpreted in a different way. Yet, this doesn't mean that artists don't put thought into every mark they make on paper.

2. "If you think good work is somehow synonymous with perfect work, you are headed for big trouble. Art is human; error is human; ergo, art is error. Inevitably, your work will be flawed."

I think that most of the time I create art, I move very slowly to prevent any mistakes from occurring. Sometimes I take too much precaution when I do this, and end up loosing the "free-ness" in my art. I think a lot of people worry about this (messing up); however, I can think of many times where messing up has gotten me to a new point in my artwork that I never would have reached. I especially seem to struggle when working with paint, and sometimes drip paint in places where I did not intend for it to go. A lot of times, I can work with it an incorporate it into my piece, and make it even better.

3. "Art is often made in abandonment, emerging unbidden in moments of selfless rapport with the materials and ideas we care about. In such moments we leave no space for others. That's probably as it should be. Art, after all, rarely emerges from committees."

I enjoy making art by myself. When I have to do a group art project, I get anxious because I get selfish, and don't like when people touch or alter what I have already done. I like that art is a very selfish activity, where you can put your own thoughts into a visual image.

Artists at Work: Workspaces & Processes

How do artists develop spaces and methods for making their most authentic work as part of a daily artistic practice?

I think each artist developed a studio space unique to their own needs. While some artists in the PowerPoint worked in spaces filled with what seemed like chaos, other artists worked in fairly organized spaces. Most artists used tables as work stations, while some sat on the floor. I think it depends on what works for you and your medium as an artist. A painter will use different tools compared to a sculptor. This means that their work spaces will be very different. A work space has to blend with the artists style and artistic material.

Scratching, by Twyla Tharp

What is scratching according to Twyla Tharp and how does she suggest we do it?

Twyla Tharp describes scratching as a way to come up with ideas by digging through everyday things to find something that stimulates your artistic vision. As a choreographer, Tharp "scratches" by watching the movements of others. Then, she has a group of many different movements in her head which she puts together and forms a dance piece. She also says that you cannot put a limit to scratching. You have to let your ideas flow freely, and not be afraid to try something new without worrying that it may be wrong. She says that anything can be fixed at the end, but it is important to experiment.

Knowing how you work in the studio, what methods, techniques, or tricks can you see yourself using from Ms. Tharp's suggestions?

In the studio, I can use Tharp's methods by becoming more free with my initial ideas, and taking more time to experiment with different things before I begin a piece. I can also use my surroundings more, and take what I see everyday into consideration for an art piece. I often worry about "taking it overboard" with my art. Tharp's message is to not think about such things because it inhibits creativity.


She's talking about dance. What would scratching look like in the studio?

Tharp said that she takes everyday movements and steps to organize a dance piece in her head; This is the same for art. You can take images from what you see everyday, and combine them to create a piece, or generate more ideas based on something that stood out to you as an artist.

Getting Started

The Artist's Studio

What types of things do you see in more that one artist's space?

The first thing that I noticed in each spaces was that each artist designated a space to showcase there work similar to an art gallery. These display areas were mainly hung on the walls away from other cluttered areas. Another thing that I noticed is that each space a a certain amount of order. You could tell that each artist had a system which worked for them, regardless of the fact that it may look messy. All of the materials in every studio seemed to be separated in some sort of organized fashion. Most of the studios were also very spacious.

Why do you think these things appear in so many different artists' studios?

I think these things appear in all of the studios because they are necessities. Each artist needs a solid space to work, where they can have a flat workspace. It is also good to have a place to display work because it gives the artist more inspiration, and a sense of accomplishment to see what they have already completed, and be excited to create even more work.