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.

In-Progress Reflection

Currently, I have printed several black and white, and one blue and red relief prints of Muhammad Ali. My carving was very successful. I think that the graphic image that I created conveys the gesture and feeling of triumph and victory which I desired. The prints are coming out nicely. I think I should focus on lessening my use of ink as some of the prints are over saturated. I am hoping to go in a direction of more color, possibly in a sort of Andy Warhol Pop art direction. Replication is a great method to create this. Also, I might add some sort of verbal representation of my image. Other than that, my prints are coming out as I expected, and are completely fulfilling my intentions. I was pleasantly surprised by the lines that printed along with my image. I believe that they added to the gesture that I created. I am very happy with the outcome of the project so far.

Final Post

Throughout the painting process I became quite familiar with the practices of Hans Hofmann. I used what I learned to create an accurate representation of his work in my own style. Stylistically I was able to use color, composition, shape and texture to produce an image containing depth, style and intrigue. This intrigue comes to play through my use of a tri colored background. The borders of this background create a sort of path throughout the image leading from block to block. By covering these lines with multiple colors of rectangles, I vary the contrast of colors, and give the viewer something to look at through the objects in the foreground, further adding to the depth of my painting.
When I first began, I placed emphasis on my color choice and how that would provide depth and contrast, however I found that the overlapping of boxes is more important to create motion. By varying the actions of the boxes I found ways to make them twist as a result of the actions of others. I felt comfortable choosing colors that interact well, however I believe that I could have been more careful lining up the edges of my rectangles, as some of them are slightly crooked. I believe that my color mixing expressed my style because I was able to control the streaking and toning of the colors. I really like how some of the boxes have different color variations as I believe it makes a more intriguing composition.
From this project I have learned that I express through vibrant colors. I am able to create good texture and perceive the effects of an aspect of my painting before adding that aspect. I think that this is important because it helps me establish a goal in my head and gives me the ability to successfully reach that goal. While there are some cosmetic flaws to the painting, I believe I was very successful in emulating Hans Hofmann, and I am very content with how my final product turned out.

          This is my painting so far. I still need to fill much of the empty space. I plan on shifting towards using more warm colors because Hofmann tended to stay within one color range. I also think that the crooked green rectangle at the bottom should be straightened out. I believe that I am headed in the right direction. With more color the painting will look more filled out and completed. I think that my final product will be a good emulation of the work of Hans Hofmann. I am very happy with my work so far.

Hans Hofmann Final

     After much research and experimentation on and around the works of Hans Hofmann, I have finally established my final intentions for this project. I plan on using a large canvas, which I have made, and creating a work similar to that of Hans Hofmann. I plan on using acrylic paint for my composition. Most of my experimentation was on a small scale, however I am excited to see what my composition will look like in larger form. My main focus is on the expression of color and color interaction. Because of this, it is important that I choose my color compositions wisely and take time to think about the placement of certain colors next to each other. One of Hofmann's main concerns was creating a sense of depth and space using only the contrast of color. My main goal is to accomplish this task in my painting.
     In my experiments I tended to create a solid background using only one color, however, I think it will be more interesting experimenting with a multicolored, streaked background, which is more similar to the work of Mr. Hofmann. I believe that this will add yet another element of depth and contrast to my composition. These color's must also be chosen carefully. I think that I will use Art Medium to thin the paint and create a more translucent wash for my background. The shape of my color blocks is also important. To keep them rectangular and straight I will employ the use of tape. Using pastels to experiment limited the amount of texture that I was able to capture, but paint will allow me to create a nice textured work. I hope to succeed with my intentions and create a composition that is both pleasing and intriguing.

My Works

Hans Hofmann

My artist is Hans Hofmann, a german abstract expressionist painter who lived during the early to mid 1900's. His paintings during the 40's and 50's were compositions of rectangles of color. He was mainly studying how to use complementing and contrasting colors in order to create a 2D painting that looked somewhat three dimensional. He did this by making some colors pop while some sank into the background, creating depth. He created the Push and Pull theory, in which he used colors to interact with each other instead of one overwhelming another. Hofmann was both an artist and a teacher. He found it really difficult to separate teaching and painting, because when he was painting he made decisions based on instinct and feeling, but when he was teaching he had to focus on every single line and technical aspect of a painting. He was, however, a very successful teacher. He was very successful in his work, and created some timeless artwork.