Weekly Art Challenge: GRATITUDE

Hey folks!!

This week our theme was GRATITUDE

Dylan – Thank You, Ink on paper

“I am SO thankful for maintaining my four limbs and use of them from heart surgery as well as the robotic implant replacement of my mitravalve. Fortune comes in many different ways and I was granted a generous nod. Life is good, especially with a gnarly scar. This is have gratitude for daily.”

The semi-faceless feminine figure stands in a defiant superhero pose with classic bows attaching each limb to the core. Powerful imagery! I like the choice to making the figure semi-faceless even with this being a biographical piece. Dylan is guiding the viewer to focus on one particular aspect of her identity, her scar and surgeries, and the impact they have had on her life. Strong beautiful piece, Dylan!

 

Emily – Amsterdam Cityscape, Collage on paper.

Emily sent in a piece that she worked on for one of her assignments. She didn’t think it related to the theme of Gratitude, but still wanted to show what she was working on. Emily’s piece is a reflection of her observation skills while she was traveling to Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago. In the collage I see a unique culture identity, I feel the tightness of space amongst old architecture in modern times, I sense the layers of history overlapping in the narrow streets, and I relate to the need to creatively react to my environment.

I kind of have to disagree about the piece not having much to do with the theme of gratitude. I think Emily has keen observation skills and her piece reflects the details – though these details may not be the intentional meaning behind her piece – that so many folks are grateful for in the city of Amsterdam in a way that is uniquely hers.

 

 

Bethany – Helping Hand, Pencil on paper

“When I think of gratitude I think of an open hand. A helping hand. A hand of kindness. A loving hand. “

Me too, Bethany!  I love the clean simplicity of the lines and form of the open hand. It correlates perfectly with her statement and further connects the image of a hand with the concept of gratitude. Bethany’s piece reminds me that gratitude has a lot to do with a community and paying forward what we are grateful for.

 

Amber – The Little Artist, Pen, ink and watercolor on paper.

I grew up with a very creative family. My great-grandmother was a ceramicist, my mother use to paint murals and found creative ways to make our secondhand clothing and small meager living spaces look and feel special, my father was a tattoo artist and had strong drawing/painting skills, many of my cousins are photographers and of course my extended family includes a plethora of artsy friends.

For as long as I can remember I was “The Artist”. The opportunities to creatively express myself since my childhood have been unlimited and I am very grateful for all the love and support I have received by friends and family to pursue the arts.

 

 

Next theme: TRANSFORMATION

Weekly Art Challenge: Tomorrow

Hello Folks!!

The theme for this week’s friendly art challenge is TOMORROW! It was a tricky challenge, but I think we managed to come up with some creative interpretations. What do you think?

 

RJ’s: ART ADVENTURE, digital collage – I love this piece!! Its a little funky, a little dreamy, definitely a bit retro (the imagery reminds me very much of the old school video game graphics from my childhood) and whole lot of fun! RJ had explained that he was inspired by both his past and future travels when creating his piece, and I can definitely see where and how his travels have influenced his imagery – those perfectly puffy white sheep are most definitely and partly reminiscent of, but not limited too, a few road trips that we have taken together. The colorful layering of bold patterns and textures created a quilted affect that only reinforces his visual story telling and sense of adventure. There is a part of me that can’t help but want to invoke my inner Alice, jump through the pink window and run wild through this vivid adventure!

 

Mikayla’s: DAWN,  Crayon and pencil –  Rj’s very talented niece has created another wonderful work of art for us this week! I’m very much impressed by her use of color! She cleverly layered reds, oranges and yellows to create a glowing sunrise and was very smart to leave the soaring bird white so that it would stand out against the primarily warm color spectrum. I look at the bird and wish I could join him in flight on what looks like a perfect morning. I also love how both the coconut trees bend toward the sun, as if they are eagerly greeting their friend. Great job Mikayla! If I had a gold star I would give you one 🙂

 

 

 

Mine: TAROT CARDS (The Fool, The Lovers and Strength), pen and ink with watercolor – When Rj gave me this week’s challenge I must admit that I was a bit stumped.  I had to spend a couple of days thinking about what the heck could I create that would interestingly depict ‘Tomorrow‘. My mother offered some decent suggestions, but nothing seemed just ‘right’. Then I began to think about fortune telling and the beautiful artwork depicted on tarot cards. I have my own deck of tarot cards, given to me by my mother years ago, that I sometimes still use for fun. I picked a few of my favorites from the major arcana – The Fool, The Lovers and Strength – and worked on recreating each card to reflect my own personal metaphors while still maintaining the core meaning of each card.

The Fool – I wanted to depict a man who  hasn’t quite grown up yet and is in search of new experiences, but not fully aware of his surroundings because he is too absorbed with his own pleasure. He has a lot of learning to accomplish and the potential to take a wrong step should he avoid life’s lessons.

The Lovers – For this card I wanted to combine imagery that reflected both past metaphors and current trends. Though times may have changed, some things will always remain the same; the desire to connect and love another.

Strength – Traditionally this card depicts a young maiden taming a lion. I chose to substituted the lion with a pack of lovable well behaved pit bulls.

Of course I could not resist inserting my beloved dandelions into each card and I was quite upset when my pen leaked black ink onto my Strength card. Also, I wish I had drawn the people a bit better – Illustration is not my strength – but in the end I am happy with what I created and had plenty of fun working on them!

It was a good challenge, RJ!

 

Next week’s theme: MANDALA!!