Metaphoric Self-Portrait
please click on the image to see an enlarged view
Statement
In art and in life, you cannot reach the top automatically; there are many steps that you must take. You have to learn through practice, and once you have the concept down, you can move on to the next step. Often times students may try and skip steps, rushing to get to a particular goal, only to realize that what they have missed along the way was important. All stairs have a destination point, whether you are going up or down. With each flight of stairs you gain on your goal, but there will always be another flight ahead. Even though there are many different staircases (and arts) students will find that they all are connected and intertwined. While one stair may be old and worn, another modern and new, they both serve the same purpose. They both act as paths to get you to the point where you want to be.
Brainstorm
Sketches
Posts
For your self-portrait I really like the pixelated effect. It ties together the various stairs and adds a dream-like surrealism. I also enjoy how the ruby-red door draws my eye up the flight of seemingly floating stairs.
ReplyDeleteThe pointillism is a fantastic effect for the self portrait, it drives home the theme of many parts to a whole. The stairs are a wonderful recurring theme with many different paths to choose from and the journey to them. The path that one chooses to follow and the end result mirrors life.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought, do all paths get you to the point where you want to be? I have often found that when I make goals they never pan out exactly how I have planned. For better or for worst my plans have changed. Within your artist statement you should explore risk taking. Sometimes taking the first step is the hardest and with authentic art making experimentation is a huge factor.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your metaphoric self-portrait and statement because it caused me to reflect upon my personal experience within the arts in terms of steps.
The connection between the steps being "old and worn, another modern and new" really give a good illustration for the investigation of different art techniques as well as history. I see old stair cases with rich history and knowledge to be gain from journeys before. New or modern staircases with history and knowledge still to be made.
The usage of complementary colors draws the viewer's eyes right to what I believe, is the main focus- the stairs. The message behind this piece is very apparent because of the symbol of the stairs and even the window which seems to be a window to the past, while the stairs are leading to the future. The pixelated effect gives this piece a unique and unreal feeling.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your use of bright and eye catching colors. It really draws the viewer in and holds their attention. I didn't see the stairs with in your image until I read your statement, and found out what was being portrayed. I like the idea of stairs and as you stated they are taking you to an end point weather you are traveling up or down them. I read into this that if I task is easy you may be traveling down the stairs and if a task is harder you may be going up.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your stair metaphor very much. It's interesting to think of art and experience in this way. Yes, elevators act as an easier path to the top, but unlike stairs, they often break down. Even, as you say, when stairs are worn and old, they can get you where you're going. Nicely done.
ReplyDeletePeople have to take steps to reach goals. Like in the statement, there are many different staircases in life. This is a universal idea. Step by step, once you think you have reached the top of the stairs, there is another flight waiting for you. Sometimes, people cannot take a step or step in the wrong direction because of various reasons. Therefore, a teacher is one who is able to help the students to climb to their goals. However, I don’t see that how the images of the stairs connect to reaching to the goal of education without assistance from educators. The various stairs put more emphasis on obstacles and efforts that stands in front of any form of progress. I would like to see something in the image that relates to assistance in climbing the stairs such as a rope, arrows pointing or other encouragements.
ReplyDelete