Very Last Blog Ever

   What were your expectations for this course and where they met?

I wanted to learn aboutpainting, drawing, sketching, different types of art and artists. I did learn a lot about different artists from all different ages. I loved the couple drawing assignments we had. I enjoyed this class a lot. Some projects were a lot of fun! I wish there was more hands-on drawing rather than reading, watching and writing. It was very time consuming. 

Now that you've been through this course, what is art? How would you define it now compared to your initial posting?

Honestly, art is what you make of it. To me, I think art is beauty. Something pleasing to the eye. I am someone who enjoys skill, symmetry, beauty, pleasing art. When I paint I do beaches, pin up girls, flowers, animals, beauty! I don’t agree with a lot of “art”. When an artist makes scribbles and lines and abstract stuff I don’t like that at all. That to me is not art. I know a friend who draws absolutely beautiful sketches of all sorts of happy, positive things that are absolutely jaw dropping because they look real, and detailed and show extreme talent. Art is beauty!

Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so? 

I don’t have a favorite artist and I never have. I enjoy all different art. There is one artist I absolutely love and I have written about him in one of my previous blogs. I don't have his name off the top pf my head, his art is at my parents house. He paints beautiful tropical images onto tiles. He uses vibrant colors and they are stunning. I will always enjoy the same kind of art I always have. 

Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different?

I enjoy the online classes because i work a lot. Im not a huge fan of the college campus anyway, so if I can get away from it i can. I enjoy doing my work at home, or wherever life takes me! It is much more work, but it is worth it. 

Last Project!! Self Portrait

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?I selected the three artworks I did as inspiration because each one of them show the beauty in women. Each piece is realistic, and attractive. The first woman (Bess Norriss) appears very happy and confident standing straight with her hand on her hip like a boss. The second woman appears to be showing a bit of sexuality. Her makeup is beautiful and sexy, as she makes a cute face with her lips pouting in a sexual way. Lastly, the last woman Frida Kahlo has her shirt pulled up her back as she lies in a bed smirking making a sneaky face. She looks happy and confident in her body and her image. 

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait? Ichose to use pencil because for a picture like a self-portrait I feel like pencil is the best choice for a realistic look, which is what I was going for. Pencil can shade, it can erase, it seems like the best way for me personally to create a very realistic, accurate picture!

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them? It was very hard actually! It is difficult to draw yourself, let alone draw anything at all! It is hard to get the shapes right in the face, the proportions, shading, etc. I erased a lot, and tried over and over again that is how I overcame my obstacles. 

4. How does this piece represent you? This piece represents me in every way! I am smiling…because I am always happy. I am also holding my Pitbull. He is everything to me and I love him more than anything in this world! I have grown a huge love and passion for the breed and one day I will do my part in helping rescue them. 

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work? I used symmetry, line, balance, texture, contrast, etc. My image is symmetric. I believe that symmetry is beauty. Lines I used throughout the whole picture to create it. It is balanced as it is centered in the middle of the paper. My hair gently falls onto my dog as my head is tilted into his, creating a balance in the picture. Texture is shown through my hair, and in my dog’s nose and mouth. I shaded his dark spots and made my hair look textured. I used contrast in shades of grey through pressing the pencil down harder in certain spots making some lighter or darker than others. 

6. Did you enjoy working on this project? I did enjoy working on this project because it was of ME! It was fun and different. I like using pencil and doing what I want to do. I liked the fact that it could be done in any media too. So happy I got to incorporate my dog into it.

7. What do you think of your final artwork? I love my final artwork. Now that I have drawn it with pencil, next time I think it would be cool to do an acrylic or oil paint. I liked the photo I chose and it shows my confidence, happiness, and love for animals. 

Inspiration Pieces from Google Arts & Culture:

1. Bess Norriss Tait

1.

Name: Bess Norriss Tait

Title: Self Portrait

Media: drawing 

Size: 15.5 x 29.5cm

Year: 1909

2. Cindy Sherman

2.

Name: Cindy Sherman

Title: Madonna

Media: Gelatin Silver Print

Size: not mentioned

Year: 1975

3. Frida Kahlo Lying Down

3. 

Title: Frida Kahlo Lying Down

Name: Nickolas Muray

Media: photograph

Size: not mentioned

Year: 1946

Original picture of me

My Final Sketch