Week 9 - 10 Step Frame

1. I needed a summer job

2. I searched on www.craigslist.com & found a handmade jewelry company looking for polymer clay bead makers

3. I was hired as a jewelry artist

4. Coated beads (wooden bead with polymer clay shell) were more money (20 cents per ball), so I worked on them everyday

5. Cut thin slices from the patterned cane

6. Cover the wooden bead with two slices

7. Roll the bead in your hand to smooth out any creases or flaws

8. Find the hole & poke it through

9. Line up the beads in rows of seven on the tile

10. Put the beads on the tray & bake them in the craft oven

Week 8 - 10 Step Color Book

How I Eat An Apple

1. Wash the apple

2. Cut the apple in half

3. Cut each half in half

4. Cut off the part of each fourth that contains seeds

5. Cut each fourth into 3-4 vertical slices

6. Cut these slices horizontally to make cubes

7. Add a HUGE spoonful of JIF Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter

8. Hesitate, and then decide to add another spoonful

9. Stir with spoon

10. Enjoy

Make Me Merch

CRAFT

For my custom made merchandise, I'm planning on using one of my patterns (above image: "Vintage Floral") for a flip flop design. I found the flip flops under the list of personalized gifts on CafePress (http://www.cafepress.com/make/custom-flip-flops).

COMPOSITION

This is the most difficult part of my decision. The CafePress Product Designer allows you to move and rotate your image on the flip flops. I like the fact that each flip flop will be different. The lack of uniformity will contribute to the originality and personalized quality of the merchandise.

CONCEPT

The idea behind this project is to put an image that I created on a medium other than paper. I decided on flip flops because they are useful and relatively inexpensive. I hate wearing socks/shoes, so flip flops are one of my favorite things to put on my feet. The pattern I chose contains earthy colors that will match well with anything I wear, so it's versatile as well.

Special Edition - Art Institute

I really enjoyed the trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. I have been there many times for other classes as well as for my own leisure. However, this was the first time I actually went on a tour. It was very interesting, and I could have easily spent all day there. Plus, it was a rainy day, which is perfect weather to go to a museum! My grandma is actually a member, which is awesome, because she lets me keep her card so I can go whenever I want. She also gives me her annual member gifts. I'm pretty sure she basically got the membership for me :)

My favorite part of the tour was the Modern Wing, simply because I have spent many long hours studying the Renaissance-Baroque paintings for my other courses. I can actually visualize some of the rooms and the paintings they contain in my head. I also enjoyed the Modern Wing because I'm fascinated by conceptual art. Conceptual art, and contemporary art in general, involves a lot more than simply passively viewing. You have to think, and often times it involves a small amount of background information and/or education. At the very least, you need to read the plaque. The artist's intention is intrinsic to understanding such works, and I think it's fun to watch the reactions of people to certain works containing messages that cannot be immediately grasped.

Above are some of the images that I took while on the tour as well as after. Some of the images were used for the photograph 3 things/places assignment. The image of the paper chain is the extra credit opportunity.

Week 6 - Visual Verb

CRAFT

For this project, I chose the verb "zoom" and attempted to express it using isolated images of my brother, Brendan, and my moped, Bosco, as well as a background involving railroad tracks. I used several different effects to convey the movement necessary to express "zoom." I used the blur tool most significantly as well as the pinch distortion effect to stretch the railroad track a little bit. I rotated the central railroad image slightly too.

COMPOSITION

The focal point of the work is my brother zooming on the moped. I placed it in the center of the canvas, as it is the subject, the visual verb, and intended to grab the attention of the viewer. The sides of the canvas contain segments of the railroad track that have been blurred and scaled larger in order to add extra emphasis to the center.

CONCEPT

The concept behind this week's assignment was to communicate a verb. The verb I chose was zoom, and I used various effects to express this, most significantly the blur tool and pinch distortion as well as scale transformations.

Week 5 - Grab My Eye

CRAFT

I used a different image for each of the three works. I utilized three main transformation and effect tools for this assignment. I manipulated the scale of the images to make certain features stand out. I also used the blur function to add emphasis to a certain layer. Finally, I rotated a few of the layers. I mostly worked with these three main effects, and I'm looking forward to learning about and experimenting with many more!

COMPOSITION

The focal point of each image is set in the center of the canvas or slightly off center. The subject and/or background objects have been manipulated in some way as to add emphasis or direct attention to a specific area. In regard to improvements I would make for future projects, I would do a better job of covering the entire canvas with the image and arranging the layers. Sometimes, merging groups would solve a problem in transforming an area of the canvas but then create an issue when it came to my decision to move a single layer to a different location. Once I get more familiar and comfortable with Photoshop, I know I will have no problem dealing with this.

CONCEPT

The concept of this week's project was to grab the attention of the viewer by using various transformation and effect tools. By manipulating scale and using rotation and blurring effects, I was able to accomplish this goal.

Week 4 - Isolated Images

CRAFT

I used several different techniques to isolate these images. First of all, the "Background Layer" needs to be changed to "Layer 0" before you can begin. Then you are ready to isolate! I began with the rectangle tool to remove the majority of the background. Then I used the lasso polygonal tool to almost trace a cut out of the image. Finally, I use the eraser tool to get the edges as clean as possible.

COMPOSITION

The first image is a wooden sculpture that is displayed in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. The next image is of an antique couch also found in the AIC. The last image is a CTA bus seat. I took these images to represent a natural object, something Shakespearian, and a sad place respectively.

CONCEPT

The concept was to isolate as many images during class as possible using various techniques. I was able to come up with my own method. However, it's super tedious work, and I had to use the "Undo" button more than a few times. I'm sure there are much easier and more efficient ways of isolating an image!