STUCK IN LINE
Collage, Paint on Canvas 4" x 12" x .75"
Using Wrigley Gum as inspiration, I wanted to take on a conformity aspect for my first piece of the semester. Some people become occupied with the idea of fitting and lose their true identity. In essence, they become stuck on the idea of fitting in, much like how gum can stick to things.
Using gum, magazine, glue, paint, and tape- the gum being a totally new material- I chose to treat the gum as if it belonged with the rest of the group because of tendencies to conform to others.
STATIC REVERIE
Wood, Interior/Exterior House paint, Acrylic, 40.5" x 32" x 3"
The constant "state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts." Continuously feeling stuck in a peaceful, relaxed state of mind is what it feels like to bask in the sun at my river house. Using house paint from my river house and boards from my old dock, this piece incorporates my love for Deltaville, VA.
Initially, this piece read the title "Static Reverie," however, after critique I decided it is better as a title and best left off the piece itself. As another revision, I went back and added more minute details. By using smaller strokes I was able to pull the colors across sections, making the work more cohesive.
Below I have included photos of the current- revised piece, as well as the original (top 2 in right column) for comparison.
COAST 2 COAST
Ball Point pen on Multimedia paper, Watercolor, 27" x 27"
"Renewal" came to me during a time where I was unsound and feeling unbalanced. It showed me that meaning can be found along the way. Initially I had no purpose, but as I continued to work, it became therapeutic and a stress reliever. Consequently, I wasn’t the most emotionally sound while working on it, yet it became a constant spot of safety for me.
As a result, I think my emotions and feelings are depicted in my work, which I would like to continue throughout the rest of my pieces for the coming semester.
I have made no revisions to this piece.
THIS.
Screen print, Ink on paper, 27" x 30"
"THIS." showed me how important it is to keep working on a piece until it truly feels likes yours. However, it was still a meaningful way to end the semester because I realized that regardless of medium or topic I use, my art needs to feel genuine to myself. I ultimately need to be happy with the piece to create a finished/unified project.
I wanted to express a vast array of emotions while effectively connecting them. Because, as humans, all of our emotions are interconnected and we cannot control how they spill and lead into each other.
While I will not make revisions on this piece this semester, I would like to continue working on "THIS." second semester and expand it into something even greater.
TWO
Image transfer, acryllic paint, mesh, on canvas
16" x 20"
Two distinctly different places. Two completely opposite coasts. Yet, I am connected to both. These two bridges, the left being Bixby Creek Bridge in Monterey Bay California, and the right: Norris Bridge across the Rappahannock River, are symbols of my childhood. Time and time again I have crossed these bridges, but never am I dulled by the beauty of them.
Something that is true to this piece, and my work, is that regardless of style, I enjoy the process of crafting the details.
THE WORLD IS
Oyster Shells, 4' x 4'
Not your oyster. Something that I have learned while growing up along the river is how important the smallest creatures are to the entire ecosystem. I wanted to create a piece that highlighted the importance of oyster harvesting, more specifically the effects it has on the Chesapeake Bay. Illegal oyster harvesting is drastically changing the way the entire bay is functioning and all circles of life inhabiting it. The oysters provide stability to the sand, without them, the entire foundation changes.
I have already seen sandbars disappear, creeks fill with sand, and channels become wider. And I'm only 18. We have to change how we approach saving the bay, because the world is not our oyster to take.
