The possibility of including some of my research in my exhibition has been on my mind the past few days. I think that given where I am in my life as an artist and the initial appearance of simplicity given by my project, it would be interesting and helpful to include the research that I've done concerning my suitcases. The research is also a part of the painting process that I find to be really interesting. What I find about each individual suitcase greatly informs each of my paintings and adds a degree of excitement and interest for me personally. I think viewers might enjoy this knowledge. The issue now is to find a way that shows some of the research without detracting from the simplicity of my exhibition and the viewer's experience. There may be some way to include the intentionality of my artistic choices in my artist statement; however, I may want to include some of the images I used, in which chase, it may be better to include a small pamphlet sitting to the side. Some suggested that I could include supplementary information through our artist statement videos or some other digital means. The video might be a good option since it is something that everyone is doing, but I'm hesitant to use technology to any large extent because my project is more traditional in medium and style.

Things are getting busy as spring break and the show opening approaches. I have a few finishing touches on my Carnegie case then I have to mount it to look similar to the canvas paintings since it is the only painting on mdf board. I have a dynamic composition in the works for the suitcase featuring the lock keys that emphasizes the unique objects. I'm a little uncertain, as the composition is different from the other paintings but I think that if I incorporate a similar style for the Lady Baltimore case and keep the background plain that there will be enough unifying features that there will not be a disconnect in the series.  

One of the next steps I am working on is the naming of each painting. The Carnegie painting, since I know the back story of the suitcase, will be titles "Lewis Beattie Klicker." I might include the year 1936 or the location, Avalon, Pennsylvania but I think that may change depending on what I do with the other paintings' titles. I'm hesitant to give too much information in the title. The Little Blue suitcase will be titled "Walt." I think this one will have a location since the name is so short.

I am also somewhat torn as to the possibility of showing my research and if I chose to do so, in what form. It would be nice to show the intentionality of my decisions but I don't want it to seem inconsistent with my concept.

In the past week or so I borrowed two new suitcases and they're very exciting. Each of the borrowed suitcases has unique details that have greatly influenced their paintings. The one suitcase is probably from the late 1940-early 50s and includes two lock keys from a the Eagle lock company that was in business from 1833 to 1954 in Terryville, CT. I'm trying a more dynamic composition for this painting that emphasizes that unique keys.
The second suitcase is part of a fashionable line of luggage called Lady Baltimore. It also includes the information card of the suitcase's previous owner. I'm unsure as to how best emphasize this detail but if offers many possibilities and and obvious title for the work.
The Carnegie suitcase is continuing to be a struggle but it is coming along and just about finished.... I hope.

Faculty critique

Today, I had my faculty critique.  I got some valuable feedback and look forward to getting some serious work done then figuring out some issues with exhibition.

The Little blue suitcase is finished! All that is left is to give it a name. I have to add a slight shadow to the Avocado and it will be completed.

I'm moving to finish the Carnegie suitcase but got held up with making a poor choice for the background color. Turns out the shade of blue I chose is horrible, absolutely, terrible. Now I'm waiting for it to dry. I'm taking a graphic design class and really wish I could command z that decision.

Moving on

I am just about finished with two of my paintings. The painting above needs a few last touches to the hardware and weathering the edges and it will be finished. I plan on working on the background of the avocado shaped and colors bag to finish it off before the end of the week as well as beginning the next painting.  I have been playing with some more dynamic compositions to create additional movement and interest for the show in general. Also, as a result of the cracking in the avocado painting, I'm going to hold off on painting the pattern until the rest of the paintings are complete. If there is time, then I will revisit the painting; however, I don't want to spend much more time on it when I still have two to three whole paintings to do.

I am continuing to look at van Gogh's shoe paintings. The article my outside critique suggested to me helped my to further develop my project, showing that each person can view a work differently.  One person my find a painting to be very philosophical, representing the deep struggle of a peasant woman or it my be perceived as telling the artists personal journey, or possibly its just a nice old pair of shoes. Regardless, the object, in my mind, is successful because it was thought provoking.

Deciding as a class what the theme of our exhibition will be is proving to be a difficult task.  Its hard not to be boring and typical while not thinking of something so abstract that others won't get it. 

One of my paintings is cracking, probably because of the amount of medium I used. My professor said its not a huge issue, but there is nothing I can do to fix it. Its a real bummer because its my favorite one so far. Such is life.