Advanced Digital Arts
Design Your Own Art Project
Project Description:
At the beginning of this project, I wasn't super sure what I wanted to create, other than a mixed media piece. So I started researching just that and didn't force the ideas in. After a little while of contemplating ideas, I came up with the idea of a collage consisting of mostly my own photos of moments/things that have specific memories attached to them. The purpose of using specific photos was to be grateful for the little or big things in my life that make me happy. Whether that was the people in my life or a moment while shooting one of these photos they all have specific moments dear to me. After that, I began to print and layout the photos rearranging them until I liked how it looked. Below is a full photo of what I ended up creating, along with some close up's of some photos. If you click on a photo it will open a pop-up in order to read quotes easier.
Final Project:
Project Reflection:
I'm pretty happy with the outcome of this project, even though it took some time to develop. I love how personal it is to me even though most people looking at it won't truly know the meanings behind so many of these photos it's still pretty to look at. This project helped me look at more of the positive things in my life, which was nice especially because with the pandemic it's been hard to think positively. I want you as a viewer to see that even when things suck, there are always those special people or moments that live happily in your heart. I'm happy that so many of the photos on it are photos I've taken because it's cool to make art out of your own art. If I had more photos, and a bigger space to put them I think I would make it bigger and with even more special photos as opposed to what it is right now. That being said I'm still pleased with how it turned out.
Artist Statment
As you look at this collage it doesn’t look to have an inherent message, just that it has photos of some smiling people, some quotes, and pictures of nature. However, that being said, meaning can come from so many different aspects of life, whether that's being religious or enjoying mother nature or maybe both. For me personally, I find a lot of meaning in the beauties our Earth can provide, along with deep relationships with people in my life. The collage I’ve created has shown this in a simplified form. The lavender purple of the background is my favorite color and the color many of my friends think of them they think of me. While each photo has a deeper meaning from my life, most being from recent experiences.
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I’ve also taken the majority of the photos on this piece contributing to the personalization of it. For instance, the sunset photo in the top left corner was a breathtaking sunset I had been waiting a week to capture. Being patient paid off not only for the shot but also for the friend I got to enjoy it with. The quote along with it is just a reminder to be patient with yourself and with life. Incredible things will happen, maybe not quickly but eventually. I love taking photos like that one or of flowers because our Earth is this beautiful place that I feel many people forget to just step back and appreciate. Taking photos allows me to capture that beauty while letting the moment pass, but also having the ability to appreciate that moment later in life.
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The few photos of people throughout the collage are ones of close friends that feel like family or are genetically family. Each reminds me of that day the photo was taken, and how fun or heartwarming it was. While simply the quotes along with those are either directly related to my relationship with the person(s) or is something that I would say/believe.
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This art piece is an extension of moments that hold a special place in my heart. It allows aspects of my personal philosophy, and spirituality to be wrapped up together in a single art piece. Portrayed through all of these photos with precious moments attached to them that I’ll remember for years to come.
Special thanks to the following people for a few of the photos that I did not take:
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Bella or Alaina
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Sophia Hardesty
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Emily Kucharski
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Hutch Quinlin
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Melisa Lopez
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Fox Sinclair
Credits that I have for some of the quotes:
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Amina Mehmood
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Bruisedmelodies
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Marilyn Monroe
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Ventum
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Clara Lucas Balfour
Self-Portrait Project
Project Description:
Artist Statment:
During this project, we were tasked with creating a self-portrait that would portray ourselves in whatever way we wanted to express.
I used actual paint directly on my skin, photography to take the portrait, and Adobe Photoshop to enhance some of the colors and add a slightly blurred look. I worked in layers to smooth out the background, add the blur and minimal filter.
Just as in any art piece the viewer interprets what they see, but here's a little symbolism of why I chose to incorporate some of the specific elements that I did.
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The paint on half of my face, hands, and some in my hair is to show the creative messier side of me that strays from the normally organized perfectionist. While the relaxed slightly wonderous facial expression shows more of my soft, shy, empathetic side. Choosing to observe the surroundings rather than join in. Finally, I added the slight blur, not only for the softer feel but to add a layer of depth. Once you travel past the fluff of what most people think I am, you'll encounter a hidden beauty that only people close to me experience.