Landscape Final

     My intentions with this project were to combine my skills at creating depth using the one vanishing point technique with my representation of a landscape. I also intended to combine aspects of architecture and geometric shapes with natural, organic forms within nature. I came to understand nature as any representation of your visual observations from a certain vantage point or points. With this in mind I took to creating a piece of art that represented all of these aspects. I think that this work is representative of my artistic voice because it reinforced my tendency to use geometric shapes and more "industrial", manmade subjects. However, I also stretched myself by using natural subjects as a guide. I decided to use three different vantage-points side-by-side. I thought that this would create an interesting,  "trippy" composition, in which reality could be questioned. I also created a space that was "inside" using arches and beams to create a vaulted ceiling.
     I felt redeemed by the feedback from words like "trippy", "attention to shading" and "geometric and organic at the same time". From these responses, I can be sure that I was successful in representing my intentions, as shading and form were two of my main focuses. "Varying shades create texture" is a phrase that resonated with me because I was really working on using shading to create form in the trees and mountains. I think that this shading is a main way in which I developed my craft. At the beginning of the year, this area of my work was virtually non-existent and undeveloped. After a year of working, I  showed great improvement, which I am very proud of.
     I feel that I did stretch and explore in this project in my development of the architectural aspects and their contrast to the nature. The arches created a great sense of depth, and the "walls" were somewhat transparent, but their existence was unclear. I could have pushed myself specifically in my tree drawing. I feel like there is a bit of room to develop the trees specifically, as well as add more complexity to the drawing as a whole. I am proud of this work, and happy with the improvement that it shows when compared to the beginning of the year.

My understanding of landscape is any visual representation of a specific viewpoint, either natural or manmade.

I like the illusion created through the use of a single vanishing point. The depth created on a flat piece of paper is impressive. I am interested in exploring the change of vantage within a picture and the proportionality that comes with it. I also want to exploit the openness of the sides of my original architecture drawing to add some complexity to the drawing with some natural landscape.

I am not really sure where I am going specifically with this project, but I think I would like to create an architectural sketch of some sort and combine this in some way with the type of landscape painting that I have done previously. 

I feel that I tend to use geometric shapes in much of my art, and while I want to use some architectural aspects in this project, I would also like to challenge myself by incorporating amorphous landscape into my art. I think it will be important to work on my shading talent to improve this artwork and make it more realistic. 

I want the symmetry to focus the viewer's eyes in the center, and the focus lines to bring their eyes out form there to the landscape. 

Print Making Final

In this project I was very focused on conveying the emotion and gesture captured within this photo. I enjoyed employing the help of printmaking because it made it easy to replicate the image, further reinforcing the power of the image. I started with a list of describing words such as elated, champion and supreme. I was then able to research images that embodied some of these adjectives. I managed to find a terrific image depicting Muhammad Ali in the wake of victory. I think that I could have added to the image by including other sorts of imagery that would further reinforce the meaning behind the image. However, I decided to focus my efforts on carving a linoleum plate with which I could print my images. I only used the linoleum plate for printing, but I feel that I was really able to focus on getting the plate the way I wanted it, and explore the different ways to achieve my final goal. I was able to get really fine detail on my carving, which proved to be difficult to achieve. During printing I realized that I could utilise the texture made by the cuts around my print to create a sort of framing that added to the thematic elements of my print. I think that my process folio shows my experimentation with the printing process, however most of my prints look extremely similar, so the variation from print to print might be difficult to observe. The most striking discrepancy was my experimentation with color, which was shown in my final work. I thought that the black ink was too boring, so I added color just to liven it up. In one I experimented with varying color within one print. I made the figure blue and the texturing purple.
I believe that I am good at Developing Craft, Envisioning, Expressing, Observing and Reflecting. I think that I could have done better Stretching and Exploring, as there are a couple aspects of my print that I could have added complexity to.
I felt extremely comfortable with the entire printing process. If anything, I would try to add complexity to the printing process, using different materials as well as printing techniques to further complicate my work.
I really think that the emotion that I felt from the image was conveyed in my carving, especially in the boxer's face.