Art From A Final View

As my time in art class is coming to an end, I discovered many things about who I am and what I'm capable of.  I am going to be really honest with what about to say.  Art is still something I don't really enjoy.  When I came into this class, I knew I would be faced with many challenges along the way.  What got me through art was the support from my mom, my teacher and my friends.  If it wasn't for them encouraging me, I would have exploded with frustration.  I learned that you need to be open to try new things in life and to not stress out all of the time.  I had my moments where I felt like nothing I was making was right and wanted to give up right on the spot.  However, if I would have given up, I would have never gone out and get involved in the other activities I have done throughout my freshmen year.  So in a way, art class opened the door to me to try new things and to meet new people that I would have never met if I didn't get out of my comfort zone.  The one thing I am very proud of is my book.  Now I have something to keep all of my work in and share with my family for many years to come.  I'm so proud of what I made and that I will always have my work with me in a safe place to look at and enjoy.  The book making itself wasn't that easy though.  I had to sew the pages together and for me, I knew that would be a challenge.  Once I got the hang of it, I thought it was actually kind of fun sewing my book together.  Sometimes I still shock myself with what I had accomplished during my art experience.  Throughout my life, art will still be something I will probably not understand or enjoy.  However, I can respect it and give it a chance before I judge it.  The art work I have created this year shows people my view on art.  Many people see art in many different ways.  That's why I named my blog Art From Another View because I wanted to show people my perspective on art.  Even though I may not appreciate art as much as other people do, I loved sharing my work and my opinions to the internet world.   As school is coming to end, I look forward to the start of summer, but I will never forget my crazy journey and letting out the little artist inside of me.

My Art Experience

My Art Experience - slideshows

The Journey of a Star

There was a boy who was destined for many great things.  His passion was singing and dancing.  His voice was as beautiful as an angel's.  His dancing was gravity defying.  He may have never realized that during his journey, we were all with him.  This boy's name was Michael.  Michael showed signs of talent at a very young age.  His family saw his gift and encouraged him to reach for the stars.  Michael's father was especially interested in his son's talent.  His father, took Michael and his brothers all over to sing so he can give his sons' a chance at fame.  The boys did eventually become famous and traveled all over the world.  When Michael was away from home, there was only one place where he wanted to be.  The stage.  Michael was always more relaxed when he was singing and dancing on stage.  He felt more alive then he ever did and put his heart and soul into doing his best.  He even called the stage his second home.  As the years went by, Michael wanted to go off on his own and find his own place in the world of music.  Michael's father, however, wanted his son to stay with his brothers, but Michael followed his heart and went on his own to discover himself as a singer.  Throughout the years, Michael and his music and dance moves has inspired many to become singers and dancers and appreciate the beauty of nature and the wonderful gift of children.  Michael's journey was just like a road.  There may have been bumps and blocks along the way, but he kept going no matter how impossible they seemed to get through.  Michael learned a lot of lessons along the journey, both good and bad.  One day the most shocking thing happened to Michael.  He passed away.  Even though he is gone, his spirit still lives on in his music.  Sometimes when you look out into the starry night sky, some believe they can see Michael dancing in the sky.  Michael was a star on Earth and now he is a bigger and brighter star in the sky.  Now the heavens are Michael's stage and the angels are his fans.  During Michael's time in heaven he looked from his cloud and watched all of the children.  There was one child he noticed quite a lot.  Her name was Jordan.  Jordan was a very smart girl who had a big heart and always wanted to do something amazing with her life.  Michael thought she was a very interesting girl who possessed a gift that can change the world. He wanted to help Jordan make a difference in the world just like he did.  During her time in high school, Jordan felt that someone was always giving her a little push to try new things and to get involved.  One day during her history class, Jordan heard a voice in her head.  The voice said "I have been watching you and making sure you stay on the path that I believe will bring you success in your future.  You were born for many great things and your journey has just begun.  I will always be looking over you."  Jordan did not know where the voice had come from, but some where deep, down inside of her she felt that it was a guardian angel that was pushing her to do all of the things she has done.  As the years went by, Jordan listened to the voice and accomplished many things throughout her life.  As Jordan grew up into a mature woman,  Michael became more powerful in her life and helped her do more incredible things.  On a cold February day,  Jordan was getting prepared for the biggest achievement of her life.  Before she was ready she heard the voice again.  "You have come very far from the young teen girl that I remember.  I am so proud of every thing you have done!  Remember that no matter what challenges you will face, you will always find a way to get through it.  I believe in you and I will always be looking out for you."  With those words in mind, Jordan knew she had done what she has always believed she could do.  Jordan was ready to walk out onto the balcony of her new, big and very white home to be sworn in as the first woman president!  

 

 

Character:  Michael Jackson by:  Andy Warhol

Setting:  Radio City Music Hall Stage

Plot:  Road- the journey of Michael's and Jordan's life

Blind Contour or as I call it..."Is that What I Really Look Like?"

This project was probably the scariest one for me so far.  I don't mind getting my hands dirty with paint, clay, glaze or even just cleaning up the art class supplies, but when Ms. Kiick said we would be drawing ourselves, you can say I was a little bit panicked!

What you have to do is look into a mirror, hold a pen and do not pick it up off the page, and draw a picture of yourself.  WOW!  I felt completely out of my element and was afraid that I might make myself look totally ridiculous.  When I was allowed to look down I wasn't completely thrilled but it really wasn't too bad.  You could tell it was a face, and I was kind of impressed with myself.

If you look around the drawing, you can see the things I wrote about myself.  These are things that make me who I am.

 

I am smart, I am 15, I do not cheat, I am not ARTISTIC, I want to make a difference, and more!

 

If we believe in what we wrote than we can become the people we want to be. 

 

Here is what "I Really Look Like!"..... I think I look pretty good too!

 

 

Empty Bowls, Full Heart

The Empty Bowls Dinner is a project that helps the hungry.  Thousands of people everyday go without food or not enough food to have good nutrition.  Ms. Kiick hosts an Empty Bowls Dinner each year to help raise money and awareness and benefit The Foodbank of South Jersey.  You can find out more information on Ms. Kiick's blog by clicking here: http://creativeartsclass.blogspot.com/

Each student in art class had to make bowls for the event.  I never really thought about being hungry all day long, everyday, all the time.  I have plenty to eat at my house and it never really hit me until I worked on these bowls.  I can't imagine going to bed hungry or knowing that the next day will bring more of the same.  I think we forget how lucky we are and that we have to do something to help!  This dinner is a great idea and I hope that lots of people attend and donate money to this amazing cause!

 

Maybe we can end hunger one bowl at a time!

Lantern, Light and Me with a Knife?!

I have no problem turning night into day, well at home that is.  I can walk into any room of my house and flip a switch, and voila!  "LET THERE BE LIGHT!"  Okay, so I'm no magician, but just a few hundred years ago, I might have be considered one!

Our project was to make a lantern out of paper.  Before Ben Franklin flew his kite and discovered electricity, people used candles and oil in lanterns to light their homes.  I can tell you this, I would not have survived back in Ben's day!  We were challenged to make a lantern with a seasonal theme. 

 

Not only am I a technology-dependent teenager, as I said before, I am not so crafty, so this assignment proved to be a real challenge for me.

 

This was a difficult project for me, since I am not used to working with an craft knife. I was a little scared using it but I think that it turned out well and I am so proud of what I was able to create!  I still have all ten fingers too! 

 

I chose Winter as my season.  I love snow and the beautiful white blanket it leaves behind.  Winter is so calm, quite and still when it snows.  I really like how I can sit and just enjoy the beautiful scenery around me.  It's so clean and so peaceful.  I wanted my lantern to reflect the quiet, calm, outdoor view of a leaf-less tree with a snowman nearby.  You can almost feel the wind blowing across the tree and keeping the snowman's scarf flowing in the breeze.

 

I hope you enjoy my creation!

 

 

 

Leaf-less tree

 

Cold icicles, snow mounds and a whipping wind

 

There's my snowman!  His scarf is blowing in the cold winter air.

 

Old Man Winter gusts of wind!

 

Calm, peaceful, still...

 

Who's Your Artist?!

He was referred to as the "Prince of Pop Art".  His artwork has influenced many young artists of today.  He is the man behind many of the famous, colorful paintings of famous people and even soup cans.  This man's name is Andy Warhol.

 

Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 6th, 1928 and died at the age of 58 on February 22nd, 1987.  You have probably seen his work before but never knew he was the master mind behind it.  Andy Warhol is best known for his painting of the Campbell's Tomato Soup can.  He is also known for doing many silk screens of Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger and many more stars.  Warhol knew how to stay prominent in society by being friends with movie stars, musicians, and socialites.

 

I like Andy Warhol because he is not afraid to express himself and he makes his art work up to date with society likes and interests.  His soup can painting made you look at it more and see that even every day items can still be considered art.  His silk screens showed vast amounts of colors.  The colors expressed to me the emotions of the people in his work.  Andy Warhol was never afraid to speak his mind and share advice with others.  My favorite quote of his is, "Don't pay attention to what they write about you.  Just measure it in inches."

Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol

 

Marilyn Monroe always looks beautiful in every picture I see her in.  But this on is probably my favorite one.  She looks so bright and happy.  I love the color for her hair and eye shadow.  It makes me wonder why Andy Warhol choose these colors for her.  Did she have a bright personality or did she have a colorful out look on her life?

 

Zebra by Andy Warhol

 

This zebra definitely made my eyes pop with all of the colors.  Zebras are usually the same, boring black and white stripes.  But Warhol thought this Zebra needed a new look.  I love how the colors make you think why he painted it yellow, red and orange.  Why didn't he paint it blue, purple or even pink.

 

Soup by Andy Warhol

 

I like the tomato soup can painting because it is so realistic and unexpected.  who would of thought that a soup can can be a piece of art.  Definitely not me.  I would have said its just a can, but Andy Warhol saw more than just a can.  That's what makes it so interesting