Done at the behest of Kirk 
24” x 36” Acrylic on canvas, gold leaf
25
Apr
11
More naked ladies & gold leaf
A birthday present for a friend (happy 20th!), inspired by a scene from Clive Barker’s Weaveworld.
18″x24″
Pastel on watercolor paper; paper treated with ink, watercolor, gouache, & salt
05
Mar
11
Figure Drawing
The few I’m excited about from 2 semesters of life drawing…
20
Jan
11
Klimt Universe
Art Seminar Project – a little homage to Gustav Klimt, one of my favorites: late 1800s and early 1900s, painted in oils and known for his distinctive mix of realistic figures with wild geometric patterns as well as his gaudy use of gold leaf. Mostly I wanted to experiment with gold leaf but I also love his contorted-yet-serene female figures with voluminous hair and fair skin reposing alongside raucous patterns. Klimt’s geometric patterns were used for there symbolic properties: rectangles, triangles and squares representing the masculine, while more organic shapes represented the feminine. I had fun combining the two in my own representation of the harmonious polar energies of the universe (also had loads of fun with the gold leaf!)
~45” x 45” acrylic and gold leaf on canvas
The Comparative Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective class I took this semester got me thinking about female gender roles and negative associations with female gender that I have come across within my own culture. I wanted to address some of these negative connotations using images, while I played with the medium I displayed them in. I wanted my medium to contrast with the subject matter of the images so I chose to display them on pillows. I associate fabric arts and sewing with the female gender – with domesticity, nurturing and compassion – all kind-hearted stereotypes of the role of women in our society. I hope, with the combination of the comforting form of the pillow with the unsettling nature of my images, to convey a glimpse of the complex structure of female gender ideology in the United States.
I started by drawing out the images on 14”x17” paper in ink. Each segment of the divine corpse represents separate gender stereotypes.
I then transferred these images onto the computer and printed them directly onto 8.5”x11” fabric squares on my home computer. I then hand-sewed them to form pillows. Each is roughly 11”x19”.
I learned a lot this semester. Exploring subculture genres of art was enlightening for me because it was all so new and different. I really enjoyed playing different parts with my art this semester as I tried on each genre. It was very refreshing to use my imagination in my art process again – I have gotten so used to doing the still-life thing in classes. The explorations I have done in this class have renewed my excitement about making art, especially with trying new things, taking risks, and making mistakes. I had so much fun being messy this semester (!), and I can’t wait to incorporate paper treatments and other messy effects in my future art. It’s been quite the revelation for me, and one more step toward loosening up in my process. I appreciate taking this class with such a great group of people and being inspired by everyone’s work during critiques. I am a little sad that there isn’t one final critique….and I’m a little sad this class has ended. Thanks everyone, and good luck in the future!
06
May
10
Graffiti genre: Urban Wallpaper
18” x 24”
Acrylic paint, marker, crayon on coldpress paper
15” x 16”
Acrylic paint, charcoal, pastel, ink on coldpress paper
06
May
10
Cyberpunk: Beauty mods
18” x 24”
Charcoal, pastel on coldpress paper
06
May
10
Apocalyptic: Playthings
20” x 24”
Pastel on pastel card
06
May
10
Cartoon: Winter
11” x 14”
Ink, acrylic paint on paper
This piece proved difficult to photograph due to the amount of treatment the paper has gone through – namely the candlewax and ton of glue I heaped on it…excuse the knarly reflection.
18” x 24”
Pastel, candle wax, fabric, tarot card, plastic tooth, amunition, ribbon, tissue paper on cold press paper
42” x 72”
Ink, pastel on cold press paper
06
May
10
Scientific Illustration: Harold
18” x 24”
Pastel, ink, tea stain on coldpress paper
This is what I have so far for this project. I have since found art that has made me WAY more uncomfortable, but I decided to stick with this because it is an interesting idea (though it gives me the willies). I have also been interested in taking pictures step-by-step as the drawing develops to show my process – this was my first attempt. Yet another self-portrait, but it’s what I have on hand all the time. Still working on the idea…we’ll see where it ends up.
