Life is cruel. It is fact that all beings on this planet have encountered. Humans have evolved to accommodate the forces of nature but in doing this we have created capabilities to destroy ourselves. Today we are faced with dilemmas that people twenty years ago couldn’t imagine us handling which brings up the word despondency. Despondency has multiple meanings which include depression, despair grief, and fear which lead to hopelessness in body, mind, and spirit.
My artwork represents that every day brings a new horizon and with it new opportunities. It’s whether or not you take that risk and embrace the new light of possibilities. Overcoming despondency is a challenge because you must gather enough courage and hope to take the first step. I created this piece using acrylic paints and different types of sponge brush to create the blended colors of both the horizon and ground. The clouds and sun I used a regular sponge and used a rotating motion to bring them to life. Afterwards, I lined it with warm colors to give it the special glow. Overall this piece shows being lost and then finding your way to a new horizon. |
My piece is to give empowerment to women through African designs. For ages, women have been seen as less than what they are worth. They are stripped of their self-worth and are left in a vulnerable state. I used African designs due to the hit Marvel movie, The Black Panther. The movie has strong female roles that show their greatness. Their costumes help convey the strength they have which builds the independence in the female roles even more. African designs have been becoming more popular due to the Black Panther which is giving the power back to the women. Overall I designed this piece to show the fierceness of Africa through fashion to enhance women.
I created this piece by sketching a more curvy body design to convey the empowerment of all women. Then sketched my outfit and added different shapes and patterns to give the kimono an African vibe. I used bright and warm colors to make the clothing vivid. In doing this it gave more character to the design. I also used items like planets and roses to show the beauty of the individual. After I was done coloring the designs I outlined it to make it pop even more. If I could change something, I would enlarge the design and use some watercolor to give it some more unique qualities. |
Racial JudgementMy ghostly beings represent the prejudice looks that people give to those who are of different colour. They look upon those who are different with pity and hatred for they don't see them as equals. My people of different races are covering a part of their bodies showing how they interpret these acts of racism. One covers her ear to show how she doesn't want to listen to their words anymore. Another covers his eyes so that he can't see the cruel acts. Finally, one covers her mouth for the cruel words that are constantly said. Even with all of these terrible things the leave their colour behind and create something wonderful.
I created this piece creating a canvas then painting it all black. Then I used the white and created the circular base as well as painting my ghostly beings with more of a "scratchy" look to them. Then I painted my people of different races yet one I did that I felt that there was too much of void between by creatures. Therefore I created a purple galaxy like thing with a sponge around them and that gave them a more critical vibe. Then I painted my skeletons and flower. If I could change something it would be that I would go deeper into my details and more character to all of my beings. |
This artwork is my favorite by far for the story it tells. My great-grandfather was an incredible man who fought in WWII as a gunner on a Navy battleship, USS Tennesse, as well as a loving father and dedicated farmer. This artwork reflects on both sides of his life telling us that he faced death yet fate allowed him to carry on to do what he loved to do. All his life he avoided reliving his Wartime due to the horrible memories that brought with it. Even in his old age of 81 the memories still haunted him. Fortunately, he passed his story on which gave me inspiration for my Tell a Story Piece. I just wish he could have seen it before he passed.
I created this piece by stretching a canvas and gessoing it. Then I split my sections and created my war side first. I sketched everything I wanted first and then painted it using lots of neutral colours to give it a dreary and somewhat a "defining moment" feel. I then sketched the farm side and painted it. For my grass, I used varied shades of green and cue tips to give it texture. Them I sketched and painted the head. Throughout this entire painting, I used highlighting and shading, different brushes as well as unique brushstrokes to give character to my art. |