preparing for break

As the semester comes to an end, I'm busily preparing for the coming winter break.  I've established a number of goals to accomplish over the break to keep my on schedule for the completion of my project.
Over break, I plan to....

• Stretch and prepare four canvases of varying sizes
• Research and finish at least 3 paintings
• Look into realistic framing possibilities (look for old frames/ building frame options/ no frame?)
• Continue researching current and historic still life artists.
• Find/ borrow 6 suitcases including a round one
• Explore/ develop sketches for a suitcase block print (possibly for capstone or juried competition)
• Find a juried experience

As I complete more paintings and look for old frames, I have a feeling that I will end up making new, simple frames to keep the modern look of my suitcase paintings.  That being said, I'm not completely ruling out any of the framing options. I'm excited to get so serious painting done. 

Writing the draft of an artist's statement has proven to be more challenging than I expected. It is hard to find a balance between being professional and myself.
In other news, I've been looking at various still life artists. Realistic depictions and dramatic lighting used by Dutch artists from the golden era have proven to be quite helpful as well as more modern still life artists such as Vic Vicini's paintings like the one below.

 Over Thanksgiving break I was able to get some more materials for my paintings including additional brushes and stretcher strips. I look forward to stretching more canvas as starting my next painting and experimenting with the possibility of block printing a suitcase on a series of different backgrounds though I'm unsure of how it will fit in with my other paintings.

Fresh start

    After much deliberation and distress, I have decided to change my project.  I will be returning to one of my five original concepts, one that I dismissed early on but has a lot of potential. My project painting and possibly block printing second hand suitcases.  The suitcases' placement and the background (solid color or pattern) will suggest a narrative to the viewer. 
     I feel that this is not completely different from my world map idea as the root motivation for both comes from my love of travel and different cultures as well a desire to engage the viewer in a narrative. 
     I've already started a painting of a suitcase that belonged to my grandfather when he attended the Carnegie Institute for technology of architecture in 1936/37 and am searching out other suitcases of various types and time periods. I am also playing with the idea of using various frames to contribute to the suggested narrative  of each suitcase.

further development

         Following my recent critique with the art department faculty, I have been revisiting the motivation and personal connection I have with my project.  I've taken a step back almost starting at the beginning, with my initial motivation for the project.  Many of the suggestions given relate to some of my initial ideas that I ended up deviating from as I developed my original concept. In revisiting the concept mapping process, I hope to gain a deeper connection to my project, whether I return to world river maps or take a new direction.
         In an effort to make the project more personal, I've been exploring the reason I love rivers, especially the rivers I have lived near and rowed on. Basically, I've been looking back to move forward, either with this project or a new version.

Over fall break, I was able to get a couple types of rice paper for experimentation and to finish a large portion of the research on the Zambezi River in Africa that I've been working on. I've included some of the images I have gathered through my readings.

a Baobab tree, they're huge!

Continued Exploration

             I started out with five ideas for my capstone project, two of which mad the initial cut.  After exploring the possibilities of each concept over the past few weeks, I have decided to pursue the maps of rivers idea.  The world river maps concept is based on my love of rivers and maps.  I find maps and rivers to be of great interest for numerous reasons which I won't delve into as it would make this post way too long. The goal of this project will be to depict rivers as a unifying feature of our complex world.  My project will focus on the unique culture(s) of 3 to 5 of the world's rivers.
             Rather than using monoprint and block printing techniques as initially planned, I will combine collage techniques with painting to create the maps and additional imagery that will convey the culture and the unique life of each river. I am currently researching various rivers and plan to begin experimenting with layering different papers and materials on MDF boards. I will use MDF board because it is smooth and doesn't warp like plywood.
              I also have a pinterest board on which I've been slowly collecting images. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out.
https://pinterest.com/aklicker/capstone/

Options

Hello All,
    Exploring the possibilities for this senior project is both exciting and overwhelming.  I've been playing with variations of my nature perspectives and maps of great rivers ideas with the class feedback in mind.  I look forward to moving forward.