Unit 1: What is beauty?

Solitary

Oil Pastel on Paper, 10 x 14 inches

Many people spend their days worrying about others but themselves. They ignore their own needs while trying to make it up to others expectations. But when we are alone and relaxed, we think about our own needs more and do what we want. This artwork reflects that feeling of peaceful solitary. Going on a trip alone and making ourselves happy.

Unit reflection

I learned new skills this unit while using oil pastels. I learned new methods such as blending, graffito, and stippling. I practiced these techniques and figured out ways to use them. It was hard at first to use these techniques because of the type of oil pastel I was using but as I practiced more, I got used to the material and was able to apply it to my final work. I think I myself in my experience so far was able to explore a new concept and technique. The concept I did this unit was something I've never tried before and I found it successful because I enjoyed doing this concept. It was a concept I was genuinely interesting in working on. I think I was creative in finding an alternative for some parts of my artwork when I figured my original plan wasn't going to work. I was able to improve and come up with an idea that could improve my work. A challenge I encountered was working with the oil pastel. It was hard to draw in detail because the surface of the oil pastel was thick. I had a hard time especially on the car and the trees on the horizon. I was able to fix this by using a sharp tool to scratch out any unnecessary wax. Another challenge I encountered was coloring in the sky. It was a hard part for me because I didn't have the color I was expecting and it was hard to express when using the oil pastel. I was able to overcome this by using different techniques like blending and using different colors. A success I encountered was when improvising the grassy areas. I was doubting the work on the grassy areas because the colors weren't coming together but once I found a way to improve it by using the stippling technique, it was coming together.

Hayun Won

Unit 2: Self Discovery

Jewelry

Wire, assorted beads

The artistic intention for the art-making form I have studied was to discover and express yourself through jewelry. Jewelry is a common piece of accessory that can be seen as a fashion item or representation of culture, history, heritage, etc. We can discover new hobbies making jewelry or wearing them. The theme I chose for my work was change. Some people have difficulty with change because it means living through something they are new to and leaving a part behind. Sometimes they have difficulty expressing and sharing their ideas to the people around them. The pieces of jewelry I will be making is to help someone cope with the change. The jewelry is a way of expressing that they are trying new things and experiences. The symbols I chose were snake and butterfly. I chose a snake because snakes have a meaning of transformation. All snakes have to shed what they no longer need in order to survive, this holds a meaning of letting go of something we no longer need in order to avoid having it hold us down. As for the butterfly, I chose it because the butterfly is a metaphor for spiritual rebirth and change. Butterflies don’t go through an actual rebirth but a spiritual rebirth where they are the same being but change their shape and form. This means that people can change but they are still the same person they were before and after the change.

Unit 3: Art In Trying Times

Unit 4: Community Art