Choice Piece: Painting
Title: Sweet Transvestite
Size: 12in x 16in
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
April 2017
Exhibition Text: for this project, I wanted to imitate the fan art of a cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This film has inspired me in more ways than one, to be who I am mentally and physically. I took this opportunity and chose to create my choice piece around the main character of the film, Frank-n-Furter, who is a bisexual transvestite as a way of communicating the significance of modern equal rights movements.
Artistic Inspiration
For this project, I was most inspired by the cult film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I chose to imitate the cult fan art, such as the ones below. What drew me to this particular film was it's daring fashion trends and excessive make up. From fishnet tights to crazy color dyed hair, this film pulled in attraction with it's bold colors and styles. I wanted to portray a little bit of this cult era through my piece, and the importance this film has had on me and my life. There was always a part of my that has felt on the fringe of society and through this film I was able to find a connection within it's community. Not only is this cult film successful in bringing in different people and cultures from all around the world, but it was also made significant within the modern equal rights movements, including LGBT, pointing it's way towards equal acceptance.
Experimentation
Before completing my final look for this piece, I had to play around with the making of different hues. I wasn't quite sure which exact colors I wanted, so I made a mixture of several until I was pleased with an outcome
Process
1. Gathering ideas
When told I was being given the opportunity to complete a choice piece, my mind went straight to the idea of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This is a film that has always been an inspiration for me, both in my art and in life. so I knew right away I wanted to work with one of the characters created by this film.
2. Finding the meaning
After brainstorming my final sketch, I had to piece together a meaning that would connect with the inspiration I chose to use. I settled with the central idea of acceptance. One of the many things this film has taught me is to have no shame in who you are.
3. Transferring my ideas
Once I had a solid plan with a meaning attached, I re-sketched what I wanted my final piece to look like.
4. Gathering Materials
When I finished with a draft of my piece, I began to gather the resources and materials necessary to make my work. This required acrylic paints, brushes, and a canvas
When told I was being given the opportunity to complete a choice piece, my mind went straight to the idea of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This is a film that has always been an inspiration for me, both in my art and in life. so I knew right away I wanted to work with one of the characters created by this film.
2. Finding the meaning
After brainstorming my final sketch, I had to piece together a meaning that would connect with the inspiration I chose to use. I settled with the central idea of acceptance. One of the many things this film has taught me is to have no shame in who you are.
3. Transferring my ideas
Once I had a solid plan with a meaning attached, I re-sketched what I wanted my final piece to look like.
4. Gathering Materials
When I finished with a draft of my piece, I began to gather the resources and materials necessary to make my work. This required acrylic paints, brushes, and a canvas
5. Transferring the Sketch
Once I had the final idea for my piece, I decided to use a grid to transfer it onto my canvas. I set up the grid in 5 x 4 squares and was able to fill it in square by square for fine detail
Once I had the final idea for my piece, I decided to use a grid to transfer it onto my canvas. I set up the grid in 5 x 4 squares and was able to fill it in square by square for fine detail
6. Applying the Paint
When I finished sketching my final idea onto my canvas I began to apply paint. I was supplied with the basic primary colors, so I spent a portion of my time mixing and blending paints together.
When I finished sketching my final idea onto my canvas I began to apply paint. I was supplied with the basic primary colors, so I spent a portion of my time mixing and blending paints together.
7. Final Touches
After I finished putting on the first coat of paints, I went over it section by section, making sure to include all of the details and properly blend all the colors together.
After I finished putting on the first coat of paints, I went over it section by section, making sure to include all of the details and properly blend all the colors together.
Reflection
Throughout this project, I was successful in creating the image of the character I chose. It came out just as I wanted it to. If given more time to complete this project, I would have liked to extend my process and create a portrait of each significant character in the film, not just one of the main character. I feel as though by including each character, my audience would be better able to connect and appreciate the work by seeing themselves in not just one, but many of the portraits/characters.
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork?
My inspiration was The Rocky Horror Picture Show and in this film, the fashion trends played a significant part in making this movie a hit. I have included these styles in my piece by imitating the excessive make up look.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
My research focused mostly on the acceptance and rights movement for the LGBT community. My inspiring film was a leading starter for the modern sexuality rights movements, and showed favor for the equality in all.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching my inspiration, I discovered the various cultures, differing backgrounds, and groups of fans who have been gathered together by the showing of this film to create a new community and cultural phenomenon that embraces people's differences and individuality.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central ideas around my inspirational research were acceptance and equality. The embracement and acceptance for our differences and equal rights for all.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made during my research was that by putting yourself in a situation to be seen or heard, then you'll be giving the world and people like you to be united with common grounds.
My inspiration was The Rocky Horror Picture Show and in this film, the fashion trends played a significant part in making this movie a hit. I have included these styles in my piece by imitating the excessive make up look.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
My research focused mostly on the acceptance and rights movement for the LGBT community. My inspiring film was a leading starter for the modern sexuality rights movements, and showed favor for the equality in all.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching my inspiration, I discovered the various cultures, differing backgrounds, and groups of fans who have been gathered together by the showing of this film to create a new community and cultural phenomenon that embraces people's differences and individuality.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central ideas around my inspirational research were acceptance and equality. The embracement and acceptance for our differences and equal rights for all.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made during my research was that by putting yourself in a situation to be seen or heard, then you'll be giving the world and people like you to be united with common grounds.