Reflection Post

I can't believe this year is rapidly coming to an end. This year, including all of the experiences it entailed, will soon become just a memory in the back of my mind. Throughout my second year involved in an art course at HTHS, I further developed my artistic abilities and I thoroughly enjoyed all the activities that were completed. This year has been truly and incredibly fun for me, for spending time with my friends and Mrs. Kiick while creating art is an occurrence that is now common for me. Sketching, shading, painting, sawing and working with clay are just a few of the amusing things this year included. Every year, art becomes more personal to me and I love it. Art will forever have a place in my heart. Until next year!

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Ten.

Our new project that has been launched is a ceramics place setting. So far, I really enjoy it. I also worked with clay/ceramics last year so I was relatively familiar with what to do and how to make my pieces more intricate rather than simple. I was going to make my place setting a tribute to Harry Potter but found it was hard to draw out emotional connections and portray it in a bowl, plate, and cup. Instead I decided to do my mom-mom. So far I have completed forming my bowl and it is being fired at the moment! I'm currently working on my plate which is made out of coils all twisted together to form a surface to eat on. After completing that, I will most likely make a wine glass as the cup. Pictured to the right are shots of my clay work so far!

Nine.

Working with metal is always an interesting process for me. Since I did it last year, it was much easier to come up with ideas and bring them to life. Some days of working with metal were awesome but some were not. I tend to get annoyed easily when the blades break and give up. But luckily, I pushed through it and completed a piece I am so pleased with! The soldering process is always my favorite. It takes the clean cut metal and transforms it into something that is more rugged and old-looking. I thoroughly enjoyed the metal making process for the 2nd year in a row! Pictured to the left is my completed metal piece! Hope you enjoy it

Eight.

Decorative Metal Panel:
Our next project we are currently working on deals with metals: copper, nickel, and brass. From working with them last year, I pretty much know what to do. We are making panels that can go on our books at the end of the year or for other uses. My design is pictured at the right. So far, I am finished sawing out the brass piece in the back, and halfway through the nickel piece. I enjoy working with metals, but not as much as collaging or painting. Still, it's a fun assignment that I would not be able to experience elsewhere. I'll keep you updated!

Seven.

Identity Collage:

 I am very proud of the identity collage I made.

I made sure of including the things that make my life great. My friends, family, favorite books, movies, and singers are all incorporated somehow into this collage, even if they cannot be seen. Also things just from my  daily life are included, like something from school and work. I love how I know exactly what everything is and where, even though the viewer probably cannot. This collage really sums up  the main points in my life and I am really pleased with it. 

Six.

Self-Portrait Tempera Batik: 

Completing my self-portrait seemed like forever ago. I loved the way it turned out in the end, even though it was a few shades darker than my smaller portrait. Painting the portrait was my favorite part of the entire process. I loved blending the colors together to create shadows and lights. Overall, I really enjoyed working with the tempera batik even though, 2 years in a row, I hated the results I got when I first applied it. After working into it with colored pencil though, I began to love it. I actually miss working on it in class.

Five.

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas was a French artist born on July 19, 1834 in Paris. He was born into a middle class family, his father being a banker and his mother an amateur opera singer. Degas attended the Lycee Louis-le-Grand for his high school career and furthered his education at the Ecole Des Beaux-Art. However, after one year, he left school to spend 3 years traveling, painting, and studying in Italy. He died, having never been married, on September 27, 1917 at the age of 83.

I like this artist for many reasons. His artwork incorporates a lot of dancing, which I was involved in for 11 years. It was a huge part of my life and seeing his artwork reflect such a beautiful thing makes me really enjoy it. I love how in his paintings, there is a sense of movement in them. He really inspires me and makes me want to get up and dance! He is a phenomenal artist.

The Star (L'etoile):

This painting appeals to me so much. The first thing I noticed was the color choice. I love the mix of blues, greens, turquoises, oranges, and beiges. Although contrasting colors, they go so nicely together. I also enjoy the composition. I love how clear the beautiful ballerina is in the front and then how blurry it is in the background. I can't really make out what is going on in the background, but I still like it.

Two Dancers: 

This painting also appeals to me. The use of color is again so beautiful. I love how the painting is very candid; It's so in the moment. The background is also really cool but I didn't notice it until after I examined the ballerina in the skirt. I love how Degas portrays dancers. They all looks passionate about what they do. It amazes me how he can make the dancers look so in movement even though it's on a flat surface. This painting is so interesting to me. 

Interesting Fact: In the 1870s, Degas began to lose his eyesight. He shifted his artistic focus from paintings to sculpture. He had been experimenting with sculpture for many years up until this point, but never really embraced it until his paintings were affected by his failing eyesight.