For Fri, April 22- Implied Motion

These simple line drawings are by Japanese artist and printmaker Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). His drawings do not incorporate typical aspects used to imply motion in a piece of art, yet they "give a strong impression of movement by depicting the human body in highly unstable postures. As new study just published in the journal NeuroReport shows, the figures in the sketches are perceived to be moving because their gravity-defying postures activate regions of the visual cortex that are sensitive to motion."

For Fri. April 15- Focal Point and Emphasis

The lily flowers are the focus of this photo, using contrast of color and shape to provide emphasis:

This "underground lava pattern" design is an example of emphasizing the whole over the part. There are several lighter blotches but because of their number, they don't command all attention.

Wed., April 13- Group Project Sketch

Here is my idea for our group project/public work; we will have bamboo arches welcoming passersby into a whimsical garden with rows of objects and shapes made with natural items that we have abundant on campus. We could certainly deviate from this shapes, but it would be neat to have several different people work on each row so that objects would be unique, giving people a reason to stop by and look through our garden. Inspiration comes from my love for my mama's garden at home and for the tiny rose garden between Knight Hall and the Admin building!

For Fri, April 8- Moody Lines

These lines are jagged, sharp, and irregular. They make me feel tense, uneasy, and angry. I don't know why anyone would choose this as an upholstery pattern for a couch, which is why we cover it with a slipcover.

These lines are smooth, flowing, and traditional. They make me feel comforted, strong, and sure.

For Wed., April 6- Lines...who needs em?

The first is an example of implied lines, both horizontal and vertical (these are also grids!). Woodblock-printed wrapping paper, Indonesia.

 The second is an example of actual lines, of varying width and spacing. IKEA pillow, artist unknown.

Wed., March 30- Faith Ringold

This image is from Faith Ringold's collection of paintings telling the story of when all the people of the world were one color, and how the angel of color went about making them all this color or that color, but that it was too dull and eventually made all different colors of people. This painting is when the angel of color paints everyone gray. Her skin is meant to fade into the background, emphasizing the dullness of uniform skin tones, while her face and dress vibrate with color--showing what her skin or the people of the world could look like, were they to differ. 

For Wed., March 23- Colorful Music

Olafur Arnalds is a multinstrumentalist and producer from Iceland. His music videos are all abstractions of color and lines. They are beautiful and simplistic, helping to illustrate and yet keep the focus on his instrumental music. This is Ljosio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIfiQlfaas&feature=related

For Fri., March 18- Money as Art

These are by far my favorite money art pieces from that article: http://weburbanist.com/2008/12/14/art-from-money/. They are whimsical, creative, and humorous; it's funny to see George Washington with a silly two-pieced party hat on. Moneygami makes something lighthearted and silly out of an object all people take far too seriously: money. 

Fri., March 4- Synesthesia

This is by a girl who has synhesthesia, and this is her representation of Rise Against's "Whereabouts Unknown. She describes that the black and orange represent the singer throwing his voice and the red is his guitar. I want to post the link rather than the actual picture, because all rights are reserved and I want to honor that: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelioness09/4033166736/lightbox/

Wed., March 2- Currency

The French Pacific Territories have the world's most beautiful bills--the color is captivating and warm, the items and women inviting and such essential representations of the islands. I don't think America's, nor most other country's, currency sums up the nature of its nation's history and natural glory as well as the French Polynesian Islands.

For Fri., Feb. 25- Grids Galore!

Here is an example of fine artwork incorporating a loose grid structure; it's titled "Red and Black World II" by Kate Norton from 2007.

Here is an example of artwork with a tight grid structure; it's titled "Tight Grid Circles" by Trevor Boyle in 2007:

For Wed., Feb. 23- Chuck Close

This is a painting by Chuck Close titled "Bob," painted in 1970, synthetic polymer paint on canvas. The thing I was most taken by with Chuck Close was his large paintings from photographs. They are the most lifelike paintings I've ever seen. They seem to glow--he doesn't push contrast too much but uses such a beautiful array of grays. The Facial expressions are pretty funny, too.