5.4.10

So I never do updates on my art, and I need to get in a better habit of doing so. I've spent this whole semester figuring out the direction I want my work to go. I have until December to produce a body of work for my BFA final show, and the stress of deciding on something I love has really gotten to me. I know I want to do pieces based on family, my own way of getting involved in family history. After all family is the most important thing.
1. First I began stitching these portraits of my close relatives (stitched on a sewing machine with fabric and felt), I wanted to collect my relative's stories and clothing and incorporate it into the pieces somehow. I did about 10 of these.
2. Since then the idea has evolved into not only highlighting these family members, but highlighting my life and my memories. Which led to these little mini oils. These oils are painted on photos. I liked the idea of taking an actual event/ memory in my life (the photo itself), building up layers so that the details are lost. The shapes are simplified and the faces are missing. I believe all our memories become more abstract as the details are lost. We really remember what we choose to while the actual event is altered. I wanted these paintings to resemble 'snapshots' achieved through their size (3x5) as well as through their compositions. These snapshots resemble photos we all have laying around in our house. They become 'snapshots' of my life/ memory, and hopefully arise memories of experiences within you (the viewer).
Anyway I plan to do 200 of these over the summer, and if the work is ever exhibited it will be viewed as an installation. I will install it so the gallery space/room has the walls plastered in these paintings from floor to ceiling.
but who knows.... it might continue to evolve.
whitney005 2
1
4.2

7 comments:

Britten & Chelsea Maughan said...

Wow Whit those are so cool- all of them. You are incredibly creative and talented!

Emily said...

That is so awesome! I am very impressed! That fabric thing is so cool, you are so talented, that would be so hard! I really love the photography oil paintings. Those are amazing and I love the concept! I want to come to one of your art shows! Let me if you ever have one!

{Marie Long} said...

I love them! The last one is my favorite.

Prina Family said...

WOW. I really love the last one for some reason. Your idea of having the walls covered with them from floor to ceiling would be so awesome! Good job! And thanks for saying my kids are so cute:) At least im good for something!:)haha

Tabitha said...

That sounds like a ton of work! Good luck with it, it will be amazing!!!

Taylor Family said...

That is so true about how our memories become more "blurry" as time goes by. I think that explanation of your project makes it that much cooler!

Tawny Crane said...

Your such a deep thinker, I love your projects :)