Project 4
Title: At Peace
Medium: Block Print
Size:
Date:
Exhibition Text: This piece was inspired by the artist Ellen Von Wiegand. In a search for self assurance and serenity, I had created an image including the female figure to represent my vulnerability. I included the nude body in the middle of a body of water in order to represent the moments before a storm. This portrays the feeling of being on the edge of something new without knowing exactly how it will unfold.
Artist Inspiration
My artist inspiration for this block print was Ellen Von Wiegand. The works of Ellen Von Wiegand are a representation of her search for self assurance and serenity. The prints show the female nude, engaging in quiet nature introspection. This is reflective of the way we spend our time working on solitude and focusing on our inner thoughts in order to make peace with ourselves and the world.
Experimentation
To begin my experimentation, I began by sketching three ideas of what I had in mind for my block print. The first sketch included the nude female figure emerging from the sea. This was to show unity, peace and acceptance of myself and nature becoming one. The second brainstorming idea was also a nude female figure, only this time it included the sun and the moon in the palms of the female figure's hands. This was too show the female figure as a representation of mother nature, with the sun and the moon. The third sketch was a combination of my first and second idea. This idea included the nude female figure in the sea with an arm extending into the water and the other arm extending towards the moon. This was also meant to be a representation of unity and peace. With the female figure representing myself, I wanted to portray how my desire is to be at peace.
halfway through the process of my piece I decided to pursue a different image. The one I had started with was too similar to that of my artist inspiration. I then flipped the linoleum block over and started new on the back and decided to pursue my first sketch idea instead, since it was more original. Once completed, I added the ink to make a print. The first came out with hardly enough ink and the second was also streaky with not enough ink. My third try was the successful one.
Process
1. Gathering Ideas
To begin my project, I began by brainstorming ideas and creating three sketches. This included he nude female figure as my main focus. This was to represent myself a symbol of vulnerability and strength.
To begin my project, I began by brainstorming ideas and creating three sketches. This included he nude female figure as my main focus. This was to represent myself a symbol of vulnerability and strength.
2. Creating a Final Sketch
I chose to pursue my third sketch as my final idea because of the position of the nude female figure. I was inspired by the way I positioned the body in my third sketch. It's posture can offer information into the psyche of the person, projecting experience and emotional reality.
I chose to pursue my third sketch as my final idea because of the position of the nude female figure. I was inspired by the way I positioned the body in my third sketch. It's posture can offer information into the psyche of the person, projecting experience and emotional reality.
3. Connecting a Theme
Once I had a final sketch, I had to connect a theme. The theme I chose to pursue for this art piece was identity. This piece was created to show how I desire to be at peace with myself as well as with my environment. In order to find peace I am to understand my connection and role in this world.
Once I had a final sketch, I had to connect a theme. The theme I chose to pursue for this art piece was identity. This piece was created to show how I desire to be at peace with myself as well as with my environment. In order to find peace I am to understand my connection and role in this world.
4. Carving
As I finished putting the final touches on my final sketch, I began to trace over the image with a black sharpie marker in order to know which areas of the sketch I had to carve. Once this was figured out, I began carving out the areas of the sketch I didn't want to show through. This technique allowed for me to create texture which added emphasis to the portrayal of the sea and the moon.
As I finished putting the final touches on my final sketch, I began to trace over the image with a black sharpie marker in order to know which areas of the sketch I had to carve. Once this was figured out, I began carving out the areas of the sketch I didn't want to show through. This technique allowed for me to create texture which added emphasis to the portrayal of the sea and the moon.
5. Transferring
After everything had been carved, I began to gather the materials for it to be transferred onto paper. I began by spreading out some black ink all over the linoleum block. Once the entire block was covered in ink, I placed the paper over it and pressed down on it with a spoon in order for the entire paper to gather the ink. I did this process several times in order to get the best results. After about three, I chose the one that looked the best and used it as my final piece.
After everything had been carved, I began to gather the materials for it to be transferred onto paper. I began by spreading out some black ink all over the linoleum block. Once the entire block was covered in ink, I placed the paper over it and pressed down on it with a spoon in order for the entire paper to gather the ink. I did this process several times in order to get the best results. After about three, I chose the one that looked the best and used it as my final piece.
Reflection
Once this piece was complete, I thought it turned out fairly well. If given the chance to do this again, I would have done several different layers of the linoleum block, so that I would have the chance to experiment with different colors. Instead, I only used one block wich meant I could only differentiate the colors using watercolor paints. I would have liked to use a smaller cutting too than the one I had, to be able to get into small corners or curve that the tool I had didn’t allow me to do. At the end of the project, I would have liked to paint it in as well to give the background a better illusion of water.
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 Ellen Von Wiegand, and for this art piece I chose to mimic her technique of using the female body, nature and different layers of linoleum block to create a vibrant, textured backgrounds that can portray femininity and serenity.
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 way my artist was able to focus on the subject matter of feminism and self assurance. There is a great deal of sensitivity that is also included in this body of work. This expression is a way to share how one perceives the world, but also to understand what about our experiences is alike. The goal is to connect with others who move about their environment as I do, and who find the deepest truth in the silence.
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 came across ideas of feminism and vulnerability This idea of femininity doesn't mean a women must hold her strength 24/7. One is allowed to still be vulnerable within there own thoughts.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my inspiration was vulnerability. A broader theme would be feminism. However, for this project instead of focusing on how women should be perceived as being able to be strong, I wanted to portray that being vulnerable doesn't make one any less of a person of strength.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
While performing my research I have concluded that myself, along with any other artists, draw inspiration from our different cultures that then factor into the creation of our art.
My inspiration was Ellen Von Wiegand, and for this art piece I chose to mimic her technique of using the female body, nature and different layers of linoleum block to create a vibrant, textured backgrounds that can portray femininity and serenity.
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 way my artist was able to focus on the subject matter of feminism and self assurance. There is a great deal of sensitivity that is also included in this body of work. This expression is a way to share how one perceives the world, but also to understand what about our experiences is alike. The goal is to connect with others who move about their environment as I do, and who find the deepest truth in the silence.
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 came across ideas of feminism and vulnerability This idea of femininity doesn't mean a women must hold her strength 24/7. One is allowed to still be vulnerable within there own thoughts.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my inspiration was vulnerability. A broader theme would be feminism. However, for this project instead of focusing on how women should be perceived as being able to be strong, I wanted to portray that being vulnerable doesn't make one any less of a person of strength.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
While performing my research I have concluded that myself, along with any other artists, draw inspiration from our different cultures that then factor into the creation of our art.