AP Studio Art Concentration

AP Concentration 

(12 pieces) 

                My concentration takes the theme of death and rebirth in my life. It takes an abstract look using different mediums: acrylic paint, egg tempera, marker and ink. It is the story of the death of one’s lower self that is trapped in depression being reborn to one’s higher self. It ends with the promise of hope and the continuation of this cycle. This concentration takes a sense of loneliness and isolation and transforms into one’s inner joy through the process of meditation.

            This story starts with the embodiment of depression and the acknowledgement of death (image #1, #2). Much of this discontent is caused by being trapped in the world of duality and time (image #3). This time is then transcended through remembrance of past lives and past experiences (image #4, #5). The dream state continues this journey, showing one that life and death questions freedom in the physical world (image #6). Yet only when a person discovers their true self are they able to unify with their inner happiness (image #7, #8). Then humans are able to transcend the lower self and transcend death all together (image #9) and set out on the true journey of soul (image #10). The soul or true self is then reborn into the embodiment of joy (image #11). The story ends with the reborn soul coming back to the world of death, but is now the teacher and brings with it the key to the journey -- the hope represented as the crane (image #12). This concentration started by depicting my depression and facing of death as seen through the monochromatic and subdued colors. It evolved into paintings that are joyful and show a rebirth of spirit. In ends with the embodiment of power and using the reborn spirit to guide others.

Remember 

16 x 18" 

 Ink on paper

I got the idea for this piece when I was in Germany over the summer. In an effort to remember the Holocaust there are small plaques called "Stolperstien" or Stumbles Stones, in front of houses where victims of the Holocaust lived. The plaque says the person's name and place he or she was taken. I am not Jewish or German, but I still felt like this was an important piece to make. All people should remember the Holocaust, we must always remember the horrific things that people have done to each other. Perhaps then, we can be more aware of our actions in the future. 

Tools in Place

6 x 6"

Pen and Paint 

This is the last February Challenge piece that I honestly did not spend much time on. This piece was for the tools in place assignment and interestingly depicts the exact tools I used to make the drawing. 

The Blue Spirit

6 x 5.5"

Pen and Marker 

This is a cubism piece for the February Challenge. It is a drawing of my spirit doll from Indonesia. 

The Age of Peace

7 x 9"

Pen, Marker and Color Pencil

This is another February Challenge project about "Peace with Shadow." I do not believe that this world has or will ever have peace. This drawing is about the police violence that has been occurring, especially against black people. It is ironic that the people who should be promoting peace and helping stop violence are also the ones who are creating violence today. It is something all people should be aware of and should change.

"Nothing is Wrong"

8 x 9"

Colored Pencil

This is a February Challenge piece about family. I did my mother. I wanted to capture the look she has some times when she is sad, but will only say "nothing is wrong. "

Temptation/movement

9 x 9"

Water Color and Pen

Another February challenge piece. Some people consider women and sexuality to be temptation. I feel it is beauty, but like the painting it is interpretive. 

Serenity 

Photo

This is a February Challenge piece. All people need peace and relaxation, this is what I felt at this spa in Santa Fe. 

"Wrinkle in Time"

11 x 11"

Pen and Ink, Acrylic

This is another February Challenge piece. It is about a person being cough in the web of time.

Amsterdam

5 x 9" 

Pen and Ink

This is the eight project for the February Challenge on something we love. I love Amsterdam and  I will someday live in a house like this one. 

Don't Look

6 x 9"

Pen and Ink

This is the seventh February Challenge project about Voyeurism. The definition of voyeurism is quite interpretive ranging for a person gaining pleasure through watching another's sexual act to seeing something that you are not "suppose to" see; this is the way I interpreted it. This drawing shows a person who is crying; in high school this act is often ignored or unnoticed. I wanted this perspective to be from someone who does see the person crying, even when they are not "suppose to."

The Song

6 x 9:"

Pen on paper

The sixth February Challenge project is about music. I focused on the sound current in a person's voice when they sing. 

Night with Text

11 x 14"

Acrylic on cavas 

This is the fifth February Challenge project. It is Peter Pan again.  

Vegetables/Fruits/food Repetition 

Photograph

This is the fourth project of the February Challenge. I am not very good at taking photos, but I tried. I wanted the photo to seem strange hence the ripe apples on a bare tree. 

Eye Study

6 x 9"

Water Color and Gauche on paper

Project number 3 of the February Challenge. The theme was Macro which is a close up perspective. I did not give myself enough time on this piece to make it exactly how I wanted it, but it was good to try water color again. 

Not Enough Time to Eat

9 x 9"

Chalk Pastel on suede board 

This is the second February Change piece about breakfast. My breakfast is spent shoving yogurt down my throat while looking at my clock. I wanted to captured that feeling. I did not have much time (ironically) to do this piece so it is more sloppy than usual, but it was good to try something looser. 

New

6 x 9"

Colored Pencil 

This is the first project of the February Challenge where I will create a new piece every day or every two days. I drew a figure from the North Boulder Nude Figure Drawing class. This is a "new" theme because each pose is a new pose. It is also a new interpretation of figures though the unrealistic use of color.

The Current 

Ink on paper

2.5 x 30"

This is a design for the school mural. It is influenced by the Boulder creek. I wanted to try a more graphic style.

Straight on Till Morning 

Oil on Panel 

20 x 16"

This painting is both an illustration and a personal expression. I have always had a deep connection with Peter Pan. As a child I dressed as him for about a year. In 2016, I had a dream that I was Peter Pan flying to Neverland. I wanted to capture the feeling of freedom and joy that I felt when I had this dream.