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?

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.