Block Print
"At the Moment"
|
Process
|
Planning
|
Experimenting/Developing Ideas
Carving:
After designing a sketch for my piece I decided to directly transfer it onto my piece of linoleum, in order to carve out a proportioned piece. I was able to transfer my sketch right onto my piece by applying a method I was taught in art sophomore year. The method was to get the piece of paper you drew your sketch in and cover it in lead in the back side. Then you placed the sketch accurately on top of the base and outlined it so that the lead would transfer and create the same image. After transferring my sketch I decided which carving tools I would use for my piece. I explored the different tools I could used and narrowed it down to using only two carving tools(a wide flat one and a small triangular one). Carving my piece was a difficult process because my piece consisted of small details and curves that were not easy to carve out with the tools. There were also times when I would rip hole in my linoleum from carving too deep, but I just left them alone since it wouldn't affect my prints. Creating the Prints: After finishing the carving I moved on to creating the prints. I had a difficult time creating the prints and it was a process of trial and error. I don't think I was putting enough pressure on the barren and so the ink wasn't completely transferring. I continued the process of printing multiple times until I felt I created a decent print. Experimenting: |
Meaning of the PieceThe meaning of this piece was to represent life in general throughout a life and death theme. I wanted to create a piece that represented life in a positive way which is the way it is perceived by most people. I did this by using an animal to symbolize happiness, many times when a bird is viewed it is seen in a positive and beautiful manner. The use of the bird was to create the meaning of a message that is taken, since birds have been used in the past as messengers. The bird is also holding on to a heart tightly, the heart is the way in which I choose to display life. Therefore, the bird is holding on to life tightly and sending a message. The message the bird is trying to send to the viewer is the perception of life. For a moment as you hold on to life tightly in a positive way you are happy and that is the only thing that matters, the present. The bird and the heart are two simple things I used to represent the happiness and joy in life in a present time. Life and time are key factors in this piece, I intended to tell the viewer that when life is good at the moment that is something you wish you could hold on to forever. The future and past are of no importance, until reality hits and like the bird will eventually do in its journey you will have to let go of life and say goodbye to happiness when reality strikes.
My Carving Outcome:My Prints: |
Artistic Inspiration
My inspiration for this piece was “Direct Assent” by Adam S. Doyle and “Magpies and Plums” by Qi Baishi. Both painters who explored the idea of animals and developed their own idea of what an animal can represent in an art piece. Adam S. Doyle is an artist who creates beautiful paintings of birds where it looks as if the brushstrokes are incomplete which he applied to give the painting a feathered look. Adam S. Doyle mentions that the unfinished look to the brushstroke is a technique he enjoys working with because you see a transformation that makes the piece look realistic. He has created now a series of bird paintings which he uses to captivate energy throughout his piece. This is an idea I wanted to add onto my piece not just the look, the energy a bird can present and symbolize was an important aspect when considering my piece.
My other inspiration for this piece was “Magpies and Plums” by Qi Baishi. Qi Baishi was a famous 20th century painter in China. He painted in a traditional Chinese style, having no past training in art. Most of his painting consisted of flowers, trees, mice, shrimp, and birds. He painted various bird paintings which he created in a lively manner to express his love for nature and life. The reason he used these birds is what drew my attention to his work, he wanted to express life through a bird which is something I was drawn to. When I analyzed these pieces I focused on the meaning much more than the look. I also noticed that the art of both these painters was not extremely detailed but simplistic, created with difficulty. The meaning of life through a bird is a feeling I wanted to express in my block print. |
Qi Baishi, "Magpies and Plums" 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.
Adam S. Doyle, "Direct Assent" 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.
Jobson, Christopher. "Gorgeous Bird Paintings by Adam S. Doyle." Colossal. N.p., 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.
Artnet Worldwide. "Qi Baishi." Biography – on Artnet. N.p., c.2016. Web. 04 Oct. 2016. China Museum. "Qi Baishi." Paintings. N.p., 21 Mar. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2016. |
Reflection
The end result of my block print did not turn out as I had envisioned it to. My goal was to create a clean and smooth piece that appeared as my sketch had planned out. Before making my sketch I did not realize that the tools I had available would not make it easy to carve out detail in small areas. It was difficult to carve out in small places and get a smooth clean look that would be carved out deep enough to hold back the ink. Also, the main problem I had with the block print was the printing process. I had to create various prints, and none of them seemed to transfer all the ink into the paper giving the piece a unfinished look. In general my craftsmanship was bad due to the printing but the craftsmanship in my carving was nice and clean. However, I did like the way I was able give my piece a deeper meaning and my design in general was what I expected to create.
Connection to the ACT:
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your work.
Adam S. Doyle and Qi Baishi were two artists who used birds to symbolize a unique meaning which I wanted to add in my piece as well. The bird as simple as it may seem, plays an important role in giving the viewer the option of deciding what the bird is trying to symbolize throughout its position and its flight.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors seem to approach the idea that both of these artists applied an animal to their piece in order to add a meaning of life and energy that life consists of.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspirations?
A conclusion I discovered is that an artists culture connects to the art they are creating and the way in which they create that art.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme on these peices is perspective, an example of perspective is a bird which unlike us can view the world in multiple views.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your
research?
An inference I made was that the same idea can be represented in two unalike ways, meaning a piece can have the same object and express an idea that is similar but are created in a different way and look nothing alike from the outside.
Adam S. Doyle and Qi Baishi were two artists who used birds to symbolize a unique meaning which I wanted to add in my piece as well. The bird as simple as it may seem, plays an important role in giving the viewer the option of deciding what the bird is trying to symbolize throughout its position and its flight.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors seem to approach the idea that both of these artists applied an animal to their piece in order to add a meaning of life and energy that life consists of.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspirations?
A conclusion I discovered is that an artists culture connects to the art they are creating and the way in which they create that art.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme on these peices is perspective, an example of perspective is a bird which unlike us can view the world in multiple views.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your
research?
An inference I made was that the same idea can be represented in two unalike ways, meaning a piece can have the same object and express an idea that is similar but are created in a different way and look nothing alike from the outside.