1. Define which techniques you tried and mastered? Struggled? 2. How did you draw inspiration from other artists techniques or aesthetics in your work? In what ways did you derive meaning or gain historical perspectives from their work? Why these artists? 3. Describe the evolution of your piece. Decisions made. Compositional elements. 4. If you could consider doing something over, explain why you would do this and what you would do next time? 5. Elaborate on how this piece links with your other pieces? What is the common thread?
1. A technique I mastered was the use of my fingers to blend which created a softer and well blended piece . A technique that I learned was the use of q-tips to blend, this did not blend as well and left lines. 2. I had drawn inspiration from other artists when I had looked at other examples of still lifes. A common theme that is used throughout many of the pieces that I had looked at were flowers and the meanings behind them. More specifically I had looked at Jan Davidsz de Heem and her "Vase of Flowers" piece. Through observing this piece I enjoyed the balance that the flowers provided to each other and their placement. The value used throughout strongly emphasized loss of innocence. 3. Initially I was undecided with the medium that I wanted to work with however after talking others I was suggested in doing color pencil. However when I had tried color pencil on my piece I found that value was not as dark as I would've liked it to be. Also after I had colored my piece I left the left side with two yellow flowers. The flowers did not "pop" and so I changed one of them to be pink. 4. If I had the chance to do this project again I would have opted to use color pencils in the background to allow the foreground to pop more. During the critique I got the good idea of including a third pot in the middle however further off. 5. This piece connects with my previous pieces as they all follow this common theme of "identity". Instead of directly focusing on myself and the emotions that I express. I took the opportunity to create a work that reflects the general process of life everyone goes through. For example on the right I have daisies which symbolize love, innocence, and secrecy. While on the right side the chrysanthemum represents optimism and the forget-me not represents memory of something or someone through time.