Emotion and Meaning

I went through a plethora of blogs this weeks and several of them had the same undertone: emotion.  How do certain artists put such meaning and emotion behind their work.  I think Connor even said the statement "Do some people have more emotions than others? Or are some just better at conveying their emotions into art?".  I hate to say this but I think some people are just more in tune with the thoughts and feelings.  People say that girls are more emotional than guys but I think that is just a big giant stereotype.  Guys have just as much to say as girls but they may show it in other forms.  Face it, we all have feelings. 

So your blog for this week is to share something about yourself that you would like people to know.  Something that could potentially turn into an art piece.  A story that makes you emotional or makes you want to express your self.  This can be happy, sad, depressing, enlightening, or funny.  Any kind of statement you want to make but be sure to keep it real.     

Here is my story . . .

Anyone who knows me, knows that I truly love babies.  I love everything about them.  Their cries, their smell, their giggles.  Literally everything.  I even love being fat and pregnant and throwing up everyday.  I am BLESSED to have two beautiful and delightful daughters to enjoy for the rest of my life.  However, right now I am struggling with creating a concept - yes I am just still in the conceptual phase - for an art piece that I need to make for myself.  It is a personal piece of expression.  I need to make an art piece to release emotions that I have bottled in.  Emotions dealing with sorrow, sadness, loss, and a healing heart.  

By the way, have I ever mentioned to you that artwork can be cathartic?  Well it can.  It can solve problems, create new ones, and make you feel dumbfounded all at the same time.  Art is glorious.

My project is about letting go and healing.  My project is about babies and dealing with the loss of them.  I need to find a way to show my love for a precious baby that is not here for me to physically hug.    

Free Choice

Oct. 15th to Oct. 25th you get a free choice blog.  Be sure to write about a fine arts topic and to comment on two other blogs for points.

enjoy.

Art Everywhere

www.arteverywhere.org

This past August, the UK had an art show.  An extraordinary art show that exhibited works all over the country.  Over 22,000 locations to be exact.  The exhibit showed off works of 57 British artists and made a list of the top 10 artists.  The only female artist that made the top 10 list: Cornelia Parker.  These pieces were placed around the UK on billboards, bus stations, and metro stations.

The project had "no agenda other than to flood our streets with art and celebrate the creative talents and legacy of the UK."

This weeks blog - I basically would like you just reflect and write your thoughts about how art is out and around us.  Do we see enough types of art?  Do you feel like you know what is going on in the art world?  What are the current art trends?  Now, I understand that we live in a small midwestern community.  We see art but not in the same scale that others see it.  For example, Art Basal in Miami or the UK show you just read about.  Now we try to give students a sampling of the types of art that surrounds them - for instance the SOFA show and the Art Institute, but I will admit that it is very overwhelming to stay with the trends and swings in art movements.  
How do we get more art into our communities?  Who should be in charge of this grand task?  Does our community do enough or should we be doing more?  

Thoughts . . .

Your first blog of fall 2013

Off and running ...

Important Website to check out:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_studioart.html

We're back.  I know that some of you are sad that the summer is over while some of you are excited to see your friends and get your final high school year over with.  To be honest, I have mixed feelings over the situation.  I am leaving two wonderful kids behind
and making a new start with fresh classes and eager kids.  But deep down I am excited to get to know a new group of students.  Every group is unique and different.

Again welcome back.

So lets dive head first into AP and figure out how this whole process is going to work.  Like I said on Tuesday, there are two parts to Portfolio class.  The breadth portfolio and the concentration portfolio.  We are going to focus on the breadth section first which is considered more of the "technical" portfolio.    You are showing your skills, talent, drive, and elements/principals of art.  In this portfolio you will have variety and different methods of art making.  You will need to experiment and not be afraid to work outside of the box.  All things that I know as artists you are capable of doing.  None of this is new to you.  

For your first blog I want you to go to this site:
high school portfolios

Take time and quietly scroll through each individual portfolio.  Look through the 3D or 2D work and definitely look through the Breadth portfolios.  Don't just look at the first image that comes up either.  Laziness is not a part of this class.  But open the student work and write down notes about each person.  What are their strong points, what are the weaknesses, what areas of art do you need to focus on or improve in?  

After you examine and review the works, respond to my blog.

Here's your question . . . ready . . . Which piece inspires you and why?

Simple question I know but really explain yourself.  Post a response to this blog and be sure to paste an image and explanation.  There is no sentence minimum or max.  Just fully explain your thoughts and feelings.  Harder than it sounds.

March 19th to March 28th

Few house keeping items first:

#1 - Last blog before spring break.
#2 - By the time you come back from break you should have at least 7 projects finished!
#3 - Don't forget to write 2 comments for your response points.

Blog:

This weeks blog is slightly open ended for you guys.  I basically want to know how you are feeling about your field trip from yesterday.  What struck you as interesting?  How are you going to design a piece of art to go into the gallery space?  What is your concept?  I realize that I missed yesterday (darn flu bug) but I will be visiting the show over spring break to get an idea of what you are working with.  Tell me about your experience.

Roberto - I know you were absent so this blog is going to be marked as no count for you.

day in the life

For your blog over the next two weeks (Feb. 4th through Feb. 15th) you have an assignment.  

Using your cell phone or camera, I want you to take 12 statement making photographs.  12 creative images.  12 photos that combined together to tell the story of your day.  12 images that make you think.  12 images that you are proud of.  

With these images we are going to download them or email to your self.  They are going to all be printed and matted.  

Simple.

Now go take your pictures.

12 pictures total - NOT 60!