Project 6: Simplification Through Symbolism

For this assignment we had to turn a 

complex concept into a simple visual.

We chose three quotes and transform into

them into a black and white logo illustration.

After making what seemed like a neverending

list of quotes, I finally narrowed it down to three.

 

The animal theme was completely unintentional.
I didn't even discover it until they were complete.
Such a serendipity.

In-Class Assignment: Between Ugliness & Beauty

For this assignment we were to draw 4 pictures that

attempt to show the midway point between ugliness and beauty.

Beauty: The quality present in a thing or person that 

gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind.

Ugliness: Very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; 

offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.

 

Abandoned House

This is the drawing that I began during class.

My inspiration for this was the historic architecture

I've seen growing up in Tennessee. Many of the structures

are civil war plantations. Some have been converted into

museums or venues for weddings, but there are a great

number scattered throughout the region that are deteriorating.

There is something about old abandoned homes that spark

my senses and make my heart flutter a bit. Particularly,

the houses that are being consumed by nature... Trees emerging

from glassless windows, vines cascading along the sides.

The house itself is so beautiful, and of course, the nature

is as well. But there is something so dark about the combination.

This was someone's home. Memories made there. Lives lived.

Why is this home abandoned and empty? It's a dreadful sight, really.

Simultaneously, however, it's fascinating to see nature take

back what was hers to begin with. Sigh...

Bat Chandelier

For this piece I began thinking about animals.

There are very few animals that I don't like. Bats are

one of those few. I think bats are pretty amazing, but aesthetically,

I'm not a fan. The sight of one sends shivers through my soul.

I wanted to pair bats with something lovely and unexpected.

So, I chose to use a chandelier for the beautiful part of the image. 

However, instead of glistening diamonds hanging from the fixture,

there are ominous bats dangling.

Snapdragon Spines

One of my favorite flowers are Snapdragons. They are tall

blossom-laden stalks with individual blossoms stacked

vertically upon one another. They come in many colors.

One afternoon it hit me. Somehow, I made the visual connection between

Snapdragons and spines. Something about those detailed anatomy charts

of the spine gives me the creeps. However, the intricate stacking of the tiny

bones reminds me of the beautiful flower.

 Snapdragons

Ocean Trash

For this one I was inspired by a beautiful photograph
I came across of the ocean floor. I began pondering
on what is actually on the ocean floor that is ugly.
There are many strange animals, but I wouldn't necessarily
consider them ugly. The solution for the ugly portion of
the piece was something man made (of course)... Trash.

I remember reading an article once about how it is legal
to dump waste into the ocean once you are so far from shore.
Reading further, I was astonished at the amount of our
trash scientists believe rest on the ocean floor. 

Project 4: Emotional Cyrk Poster

Cyrk - contemporary Polish circus posters, emerged in

1962 as a genre of the Polish School of Posters.

Usually based on a single theme and not meant to be advertisements;

they were created in an attempt to interest the passerby in the upcoming circus.

Under my new pseudonym, Eliza, I created my own Cyrk poster.

I was given a list of emotions and selected one that relates to my new character.

 MELANCHOLY

In-Class Assignment: Pseudonym

We took time during class to create a pseudonym.

The fictional character that I have created is Eliza Everdeen.

Born during a raging thunderstorm along the countryside of England

in a village called Ashworth, Eliza Everdeen lives with her thoughts.

And her cat Velveteen. You could consider her a wallflower. Orphaned

at a young age, she is an individual of solitude. Quiet and observant,

she often goes entirely unnoticed. 

In-Class Juxtaposition Excerise

During class we each formed a long list of juxtapositions.

Then, we chose three sets to combine into one illustration.

 

Petal Fan

For this drawing I had the juxtaposition of

nature and technology in mind. Rather than metal

blades, this fan wisps air with flower petals.

 

Giraffopotamus

This is an illustration combining fat and skinny.

I took the pattern from a loooong and skinny

giraffe and placed it upon a plump hippo.

He seems rather happy about it.

Dutch Pollution

When drawing this I was thinking of clean

and dirty. For earth a dutch windmill is a source

of clean energy, so I chose to illustrate one of the

Netherlands windmills expelling polluted black smoke.

For shame!

Project 3: Totally Looks Like...

For this project I took notice of objects that reminded

me of something else. I photographed them and

paired them with what they reminded me of. Enjoy!

 Egyptian Kitty Statue

He's named after the Greeks.
Alas, he walks like and Egyptian.

Shell Lamp

This vintage green lamp is perched in my living room.
I wonder if you can hear the ocean in it...

 Percymallow
What can I say?

 Dumbo Shoes
I work at DSW and we call this shoe the "Dumbo shoe."
I wonder if they make you fly...

Cinnamon Gates

We use this gate in our hallway for our dogs.
Every time I look at it I think of baked goods.

Paper Towel Clip

The blissful realization that our paper towel

holder looks like a giant paper clip.

 

Old Man Profile
There is one stone that juts out of our fireplace to create
the perfect profile of a man's face in the shadow.

Ball Gown Light

I saw this light hanging in a friend's hallway.

I imagined a flowing white ball gown.

 Whale Tape Dispenser 

The more I stared the more it looked like a whale.

Perhaps it was the lack of sleep that night...