Sorta Free Blog - S.O.F.A. Expo

This is your second free choice blog for the semester.  You have a lot of freedom with this blog, however this particular one must have something to do with the S.O.F.A. Expo and MUST be art related! Include images, examples, or any other material to help your blog.  Interesting is always good.

SOFA Show

Subject ideas to discuss:

1. An artist whose work you admired or inspired you.
2. Topics about a creation process that you saw or spoke to an artist about.
3. Explain the inspiration or meaning behind artworks.
4. Write opinions about a a controversial or piece that you questioned at the show.
5. Highlight contemporary artists you admire from the show.
6. Talk about an artist you interacted with.
7. Write a critique of an artist’s work.
8. Ideas that you come up with your ideas for paintings, photography, drawings, sculpture, based on what you saw at the show.  

Analyzing Art Through the Conceptual Frames

Hello APers (AP is capital so it doesn’t sound like ape ..hopefully…) Welcome to your first blog with Banzhoff. :)  I am excited to be working with all of you!

Ok. So here is your blog due in two weeks with two additional comments.

Lately I have been hearing a lot of buzz about art education in Australia and how they have students analyze art through the frames. They start this process of looking at art with elementary students. I want you to try it! 

Here are the Frames: (choose one.)

Here is an example: (Note this gives an example of how to analyze an artwork through all four conceptual frames. I am only having you choose ONE. 

Click here for example

1.  For this, pick an artwork from the Art institute of Chicago’s database http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/ and analyze the work using one of the 4 frames.

2. What do you think of this way of looking at art? Was it helpful? Did it influence how you see art in some way?

Free Choice Blog

This is your first free choice blog for the semester.  You have a lot of freedom with this blog.  It must be fine arts related in subject matter.  If you talk about your plans this weekend and how much you love puppies you are going to receive zero points.  This MUST be art related! Include images, examples, or any other material to help your blog.  Interesting is always good.

Subject ideas to talk about:

1. Artists you admire, and why.
   
2. A recent painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. you are working on. 
3. Why you decided to become an artist.
   
4. Topics about your art creation process.
   
5. Lessons you have learned as an artist.
   
6. Tips on art promotion.
   
7. How you choose your painting palette.
   
8. A slideshow of your art.
   
9. Drawings from your sketchbook.
   
10. Explain the inspiration or meaning behind artworks.
    
11. Write about a historical artist you admire (Van Gogh, Rembrandt, etc.).
    
12. Write opinions about a post you saw on another art blog.
    
13. Highlight contemporary artists you admire.
    
14. Interview artists for spotlights.
    
15. Mention an art competition you are taking part in, or just want to recommend to other artists.
    
16. Give your own opinions of “What is true art?”
    
17. Self-critique one of your own artworks.
    
18. Write a critique of another artist’s work.
    
19. Talk about some of your favorite art blogs.
    
20. Write about painting and drawing techniques.
    
21. Blog your favorite artist quotes.
    
22. Quotes that inspire you.
    
23. Tips on using your sketchbook.
    
24. Explain different art movements, such as impressionism and post-modernism.
    
25. Speak about an art show you are part of, past or upcoming.
    
26. Blog about your art being published in a newspaper or magazine.
    
27. How do you explain your art to others?
    
28. How you come up with your ideas for paintings, photography, drawings, sculpture, etc. 

Start producing!

Important Website to check out:

2D kiddos:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2134.html

3D kiddos:

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/220107.html

We're back and in full swing!  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 students. Oh, and I'm huge and getting bigger with every second.  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 during the first week, 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.

Question?

Blog due date: March 21st

Your only question - Why did you take this class?

Put the Kabosh on Fears!

Metka, Brittany	11:28 AM (19 hours ago)
to me

Hello AP students! It’s me…it’s Todd Kraines!! (1,000 cool points for anyone who knows what that’s from) Actually, it’s me…it’s Miss Metka…from room 172!! I feel so lucky to be a guest contributor for the blog this week! (Thanks Martin :) I love snooping around your room, popping in on class and peeking at your works of art…YES I do! You guys really inspire me. You make me want to be a better artist. Often times, I look at your work and your ideas and wish I was that creative.

You see guys...I dream of being an artist...NO...my life goal isn't to be a high school teacher forever...I want to create, I want to make things that matter and I want to put my work out there! Here's the only problem...I'm scared. I'm scared of the amount of time and effort this takes and the potential for failure. I'm scared that I'm actually not good enough. I'm scared about how I'm going to support myself financially while I'm trying to reach my dreams.

The short answer to all of this is: You can't make huge gains without taking big risks. I'm curious to know what you're scared of in relation to your art, creativity, future etc. Why do we let fear control us? How can we put the kabosh on our fears? Please ponder and respond to all three questions. In your comments to each other, I'd like you to try to answer or reassure some of the fears you all have. Use this time to complement and lift each other up. Sometimes we all need some encouragement so we can gain some confidence and stop being so hard on ourselves. 

In your post, please include an image of your most favorite work of art you've ever created. 

And if you don't know what 'kabosh' means...look it up in the urban dictionary! :) I look forward to reading your responses.

The painting I'm including is a work in progress but it's something I'm really proud of and for the most part happy with how it's developing. I'm very emotionally attached to this piece which might be why I love it so much.

P.S. (added by Mrs. Martin) - I knew who Todd Kraines was.  Already got the 1000 cool points.  

Critique

crit·i·cism

ˈkritəˌsizəm/

noun

1. 1.

   the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.

   "he received a lot of criticism"

   synonyms:

   censure, condemnation, denunciation, disapproval, disparagement,opprobrium, fault-finding, attack, broadside, stricture, recrimination;More

2. 2.

   the analysis and judgment of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work.

   "alternative methods of criticism supported by well-developed literary theories"

   synonyms:

   evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, judgment; More

   This is the textbook definition of the word criticism.  But what does it really mean to you?  How do you respond when a peer or bystander analyzes your hard work and picks it apart?  I personally try to realize that each person has their own vision and may not see or understand my thought process.   I am a very complex individual with an odd sense of humor.  However, the person looking at my artwork might be the same way.  You never know.  So back to the word criticism.  What are your feelings/interpretations/perspectives on this concept?