Seminar I

Life of an Artist

In my perspective, Justina Blakeney has a both beautiful and somewhat complex philosophy on art-making/design. She mentions two different points: the thoughts on originality and authenticity and that to create some of the best work is to simply get out of your head. She mentions that your work doesn't have to be original or authentic to anybody, but yourself. This means that the work can be based on your personal experiences and how you perceive yourself. When she was talking about getting out of your head, she mentions that one of the things she does is continuous line drawings. This helps unclogs her mind and helps to generate ideas and think. When she mentioned ideas, she talked about being able to integrate the ideas into a piece. She brought up a bathroom she had designed simply based on her jumping into Lake Tahoe. She took the color of the lake and transformed a bathroom into that experience.

When Blakney talked about the process of getting out of her head, she mentioned continuous line drawings. She explains how this helps to clear her mind, which is a wonderful idea. She also makes a mention of how she came into the idea of creating the Lake Tahoe bathroom. She took her experience of jumping into the lake and molded it into a bathroom, the use of the lake being the cerulean blue of the room.

Blakeney does reference some biographical information. She mentions the likes of Prince, Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, and a couple of other artists. She gives us the spiel of how they made their way into the Surrealistic category by reading of quotes they all made. I would think that even this little bit is relevant to her work. She doesn't really mention it, but I want to think that these artists did inspire her to create the way she wanted to. These people she chose gave us some insight into some of those who may have given her some inspiration or even just the whole thought of 'if they could do this, then so could I.'

I really do feel like I have a better understanding of Blakeney's work after listening to her talk. She gave more insight into how some of her ideas come into the light and brought to life. It also gave me a better look into comparing her work to her personality and how she thinks. It seems weird, but they do match.

How can I go within myself and create work that perceives me as a person and not creates what others would think to create?

Justina Blakney: Designer, Artist, and Author - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1PguMmD6rQ

Justina Blakney's Website - http://www.justinablakeney.com/decor

Justina Blakney's Target Collection - https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/justina-blakeney-target-launch

Jugalow Collection - https://www.jungalow.com/

I do have "roadblocks" that keep me from being the student and artist I want to be. Even though I allow myself all this time to get things done, there are often things I procrastinate the most on - most of which are some of the more challenging assignments. Within the realm of an artist, I'm often hit with art block when I hit a more challenging aspect of a piece due to me trying to figure out the best way to go about taking care of it. We can read this as me taking too long to fix the problem instead of diving right into it and seeing how it works.

How I motivate myself with procrastination is I'll tell myself that I can only go on a walk after I finish the assignment. I'll usually also not get on my phone until everything is complete.

"Lift the bar as high as possible because everyone wants to be challenged, and when people are challenged to wor, they do better than when they are not." This quote stood out to me the most during the entire video due to fact that I do resonate with it. As I've mentioned, I do avoid the more challenging assignment and get stuck during the more challenging artistic tasks. I will say that I think when I do complete something challenging, the outcome is pretty good. To give an example, when I was able to figure out how to format the digital sketchbook to the way I wanted and was able to put up a gallery with a recent work and the build-up sketches was the best feeling and it looks nice because I put time and effort into it.

The reason Tharpe read these five nineteenth-century authors' work in depth is for the reason that she admired their discipline but also found their work inspiring.

Tharpe's forty years of work documentation is not only aspiring but insanely incredible. The reason this is important to her is for the fact that she's able to look back at what she's done. I can say that I do relate with her when I think about the digital sketchbook. Albeit the process of figuring out how to get everything documented and neatly placed is sometimes difficult, the outcome is incredible.

Conversations with Nora Kamali - Twyla Tharpe - Choreographer, Author, and Dancer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atGJkkzVe54

Artist

Introduction to Contemporary Art and Practices

Contemporary

I don't agree with this statement due to the fact that I believe that the medium does make the artwork. In my peanut brain, I would think that if something is made to pose "Is it art?" then it defeats the purpose of the piece. Create to create and not to question the validity of art.

The reason it's an important consideration in contemporary art is due to the fact that sometimes the work might mean more meaningful in some places than in others.

I do think that art/design does make the world better. Some art has this effect to make the viewer stop and contemplate sometimes. A good artist - in my eyes, at least - to put as an example is Banksy. He does spray painting and does what he can to make a statement with anything he does and makes. After all, Love Is In The Bin did get shredded during an auction.

What the author means by this is that everybody has a different thought or view when they take a look at the work. No matter where anybody stands to look at a work, people will always see it in a different light.

Tattoo Artist

"A tattoo artist is a professional who creates and applies tattoos based on what the client requests."

Collins did not receive a degree in any fine arts, as it was the 1920s and at the time most men were going off to war. At first, Collins did travel around before joining the Navy to continue his wanderlust need. During this time, he received a master's paper on about every ship he sailed. When he was finished with the Navy, he moved to Honolulu where he apprenticed under the local legend, Gibs 'Tatts' Thomas. Nowadays, tattooing usually requires an apprenticeship. Most tattoo artists don't even go to college. Those who do want to improve on their craft and hone in on their style. If they were to major in the art department, they would be emphasizing graphic design.

Norman 'Sailor Jerry' Collins

At the time - good old 1920s - tattooing wasn't ever smiled down on. Most tattoo artists didn't have certifications and the only real reason it became popular was due to the fact that tattooing was used as a means of self-expression for the emerging American counterculture. In other words, tattooing was more of a stray from the whole 'American dream.' Today, states do require at least a high school diploma before you go into the craft. Specifications within the tattooing world also depend on which state you're residing in. Of course, strict health regulations do have to be followed in this career.

Like any other job, tattoo artists do have and do need some special skills. Two really big ones are communication and paying attention to the little details. Of course, they also have to have the aforementioned health standards.

At the time, Collins didn't have a portfolio. However, he did have some flash sheets to show clients who were interested in getting something created by him on their bodies. Just because he didn't have much of a portfolio doesn't mean that other tattoo artists don't have them. They use these to show clients their style and what some of the colors they do use. Portfolios are important in this world. After all, if you're getting something permanently inked on your body, wouldn't you like to know the style they're working in?

One of Sailor Jerry's many flash sheets.

Most tattoo artists are versatile in where they work, so yes, they could really work anywhere. Mainly Collins worked in a shop where he didn't have to take how the weather would be into account. Some artists will do tattoos at music festivals, where they do have to keep an eye on the weather.

Collins was self-employed. After learning under Tatts, he opened his own shop on one of the more 'shadier' strips in Honolulu. Other artists can be working under one artist, but some do branch out and create their own company.

If I were to take the path any other tattoo artist would take if they were to go through college, I would take it in a heartbeat. I would have to emphasize graphic design and always be in the mode of working on 'perfecting' my craft. I would also have to take some marketing and communications classes, as well.

Sailor Jerry's Biography and Portfolio: https://sailorjerry.com/en/norman-collins/

Tattoo Artist Certifications: tattoo certifications

Tattoo Artist

SMART Goal Strategies

Year One

S - I would like to complete at least three personal projects.

M - Sitting down and taking the time to do a little bit at a time.

A - It can be accomplished by taking time out of my day to do a little bit (or a lot) at a time.

R - This goal is both relevant to me as well as my major.

T - At least six months

Year Two

S - I would like to try a new medium.

M - Within a month's time I may be able to acquire and try out a new medium.

A - I can acquire a new medium.

R - It is relevant due to the fact that learning a new medium expands my knowledge in the use of materials.

T - A month at best

Long-Term

S - I want to learn to not be too self-critical of my own work.

M - Give it enough time and mental fortitude and I've essentially got this in the bag.

A - It is achievable, it'll take some self-reflection.

R - It is relevant due to the fact that in order to be a good artist, I need to be critical whilst enjoying some of my work.

T - This is a goal that will take years to accomplish.

SMART

Find Your Artistic Voice

- One: Reading Comprehension -

Congdon defines the artistic voice as the characteristics that make your artwork different than somebody else’. She says that this could be with color, symbols, how lines are applied and what patterns we choose to create. She also says that what we communicate through our work is a big factor of artistic voice.

Finding our voice is a process of ‘straddling’ the planes of both belonging and independence. She also states that it’s having our own unique expression while being a part of a movement. Most importantly, she says that it’s a process of discipline. The process includes a whole lot of experimentation and failure.

Style
Skill
Subject Matter
Medium
Consistency

Congdon defines style as the look and feel of our work. Style includes things like how neat and precise our work is or even how messy and lose it can be. It also includes the marks we make and the significance behind said marks.

Out of these elements, I currently use color, shape, and texture. I love to give any work I create that feeling of color discord but in a bit of a more calming way. The shapes and semi texture I use in paintings that I implement these fun palettes in often help soften the blow of the harsh color - although the shapes and texture, too, can be harsh. I’m quite interested in both layering and pattern. In a piece - whether it be a painting or sculpture - I could use layering as a way to give the already there texture more life. I’m thinking pattern can help with my love of using color discord by helping to calm the piece down a bit. Plus, the idea of a repeating pattern kind of gives me a nice spooky, eighties cult vibe.

Congdon defines skill as an essential element of anybody’s artistic voice. She notes that it helps to create both richer and more visually complex work. With skill comes an easier time communicating ideas and emotions through imagery.

In my eyes, the subject matter is what you choose to create. The subject matter can also be the meaning behind the work, but most people associate it with what it is you’re creating.

What Qualls means is if one really wants to find their voice, they have to get out into the world. One of the examples he uses is listening to music and podcasts, which is where most of my ‘voice’ comes from.

Congdon defines media/medium as the substances and tools that are used to create. She throws examples of paper, graphite, ink, textiles, and other things used for creating.

Congdon defines consistency as the way an artist repeats elements within a work of art. Things like the same media, patterns, and other things.

The other possibilities of telling your story can be what’s happened in one’s life, your interests. Simply, telling your story doesn’t have to be linear.

What Sewell means by this if you tried to please everyone with the content you create, you would be creating something somebody else is making. It would also be the fact that you’re not creating what’s true to you and what you want to put out into the world.

- Two: Reflection -

Childhood
Smells
Teachers

My favorite colors are a part of my story due to the fact that over the years, what my favorite color was had evolved. Somethimes the colors reflect some of the phases I had in life. When I had my emo phase, I was all about the color black and you know, the whole 'I don't want to wear any color.' As I got older, my favorite color would evolve with how I was feeling.

Scents are quite important due to the fact that whenever I go in for a hug, I have a tendency to take a whiff. Due to this, I have a really weird thing where if I smell somebody's hoodie, I can pinpoint who they are, with a ninety-five percent success rate. WIth smiling, I also sniff and retain fun candle scents, as I sometimes will create a piece based on fun candle scents. As of date, one of my favorite people is my friend Brandon and I love the Black Cherry Woods. Recently I had explained to a friend the fact that I do have this weird tendency to give my friends a whiff and retain the scent. She told me that I do this because it's some sort of traumatic response. Knowing and being able to identify the scent of a person means that one feels safe around them.

Teachers - more specifically my high school art teacher, Mrs. Sullinger - also play an important in my story. Mrs. Sullinger has been my art teacher since third grade, but I really started to communicate and create a relationship with her in my ninth grade art one class. She helped encourage me to go into art by sending me different art things going on in universities nearby. She also had a hand in my love of art history due to her Artist of the Week.

Inside the Artist Studio with Candle Queen Tamara Mayne: https://www.uncommongoods.com/blog/2018/inside-the-artists-studio-with-candle-queen-tamara-mayne/
Carved Candles: How It's Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2huvJ4Cy2c
History of Candle Making: https://www.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/item/history/-history-of-candle-making.html
Welcome to the Era of Wonderfully Weird Candle Art: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/weird-candle-art#:~:text=Artists%20like%20Janie%20Korn%2C%20Risa,a%20subcategory%20of%20its%20own.
An Introductory Guide to Candle Making: https://www.marthastewart.com/8046367/how-to-make-candles

Ways of Looking

The Baum Gallery, located on the University of Central Arkansas campus, is currently exhibiting works from graduating students in the BA and BFA art programs. The title of the show is Fall 2021 BA/BFA at Baum Gallery. What was most interesting to me was a work by Annie Freer, titled Moth. The materials used were fibers mixed media. This piece is a wonderful example of turning something deemed ugly into something beautiful.

When I first saw this piece, I was hit with some childhood nostalgia. The colors and the overall mood of the work reminded me of when my brother and I helped our mother build a little garden in our front yard. The flowers on the seed packets very much remind me of the colors seen in the piece.

If I were to describe this to somebody, I would use three words: colorful, crocheted, and regal. In order to describe the piece as a whole, you would have to describe each individual work. For some people, they would like to know about the work as a whole, therefore giving the three-word description. Colorful, simply because it’s so full of color and life. Crocheted due to the fact that it does look like it has been crocheted. Regal simply because each work looks like it could belong on the cape of a fairytale queen. Bouncing back to the use of colors: Freer does not discriminate within her palette. I’m sure she used these beauties in order to help emphasize the patterns and beauty of each moth wing. Some are a calm and serene pattern whilst others take on the more chaotic side. The straight lines, soft curves, and circles help build up the mood of the work, as well as does the soft and texterous look of the surface. The way Freer uses crochet to create the wings gives it quite a life-like, soft look. This paired with how small each piece is helps to focus on the patterns she’s created. Speaking of all the beautiful curves, colors, and textures looking quality, I believe Freer created this to have quite the harmonious effect.

The work was created in 2021 with the thought of bringing beauty into something that most people don’t find beautiful. In this

case, Freer chose to use magnified moth wings as a nice emphasis. Freer made the statement that she’s always enjoyed creating since she was a child. She emphasizes slowing down and simply creating with the statement that when using fibers, one can’t be rushed. Although I cannot link this piece to any work that I can think of, I can think of her next to Georgia O'Keeffe. She did paintings of zoomed-in flowers whilst Freer does fiber work of zoomed-in moth wings. And yes, this work can be linked to ecology, due to the fact they are indeed moth wings. Sharing this space is a Modern Church exhibition, which takes up the most space while giving the work some space. They aren’t related in any way, but the two being together does help make the piece pop out a bit more.

Again, this piece represents an almost whimsical way of showing how something deemed ugly can look beautiful. Here, I think Freer had some of the best color choices as they help make the work the beauty it is. All in all, I enjoyed this piece and hope to see more from her in the future.

Artist Statement

Begiak Guztiak Ikusi (Eye See All). Ink and charcoal on paper.

This piece was created to help me come to terms with being assaulted as a child. The dark and dramatic effect the piece portrays helps to put into perspective some of the fear I had felt during the years afterward. It also helps to portray that healing is never linear thanks to the squiggly wallpaper. Even though this is a personal piece, the audience this is projected to are those who are forced to be silent by not only their assaulters but the people who are supposed to protect them. The message here could be that telling somebody is okay - all you have to do is pick up the key and unlock yourself.

Final Reflection

I would say that I have met most of the goals I set for myself for the year. However, I do need to work on completing two more personal projects. Making new friends seemed to not be a problem at all, since I've managed to weasel myself into a campaign of Dungeons and Dragons. What I can do to help with the completion of two more personal projects is to simply sit down and take some time for myself, since it's been noted by a dear friend that I don't ever seem to do that.

In all honesty, my time management for this semester has not been the best. Most of the problems lie in the fact that I did not grab a locker at the beginning of the year to put any and all supplies into. I've also had a rough patch regarding my mental health, so a couple classes I could afford to miss were missed (I was able to easily catch up once I knew what I was doing). What I could do is to ask if I could snag a locker and then buy a lock to slap onto it so that way nobody would commit theft.

I am pursuing a BFA in Sculpture.

The assignment that was most valuable for me was our artist's statement. It gave me a chance to step back from a work to see how other people would view it. I also had to positively write about my work, which is something that is becoming easier for me to do. I would say the most unimportant thing is the learning style. As art majors, most of us are kinesthetic learners, and those who know that they're not the best hands-on have a knowledge of how they learn best.