Final Project

The final project was a very helpful process for me individual and really helped me figure out what I wanted to do going forward. The crtique was helpful in the sense that I want to become more abstract and maybe not focus so much on my own memory. However, I felt that my critique was a little too subjective for it to be entirely helpful. I do know that I need to focus on the colour relationship without using cliche colours as well as trying to not use generic shapes for nature. Additionally, I should focus on one board as well as go back to my process when I did the 20 works project.

Title- Blurred Memory.

Description of work- For the final project I plan to paint across multiple canvases. I will either designate each canvas to illustrate one important memory or have a bunch of canvases represent one memory. The size of the canvas will depend on the memory, but I think it would be very cool to have different size canvases that fit and mold together. I will most likely choose to use gouache/watercolour and/or acrylic. Additionally, like in the 5 obstructions work, I put a clear gloss over the finished project to make it look more complete; I think I want to do this again to convey a more glossed-over dream. The final display of the piece will depend on how many canvases I use. If I use many canvases, I think it would be fascinating to create an almost three-dimensional interactive piece. 

Conceptual Framework- I want to combine my more abstract works with my piece that follows Lucas Arruda's ideas of memory. I want to create a blurred illustration of an important memory of mine and then when I feel ready I want to either use markers or more gouache/acrylic to create abstract patterns and designs. This would not only combine my two experimental art paths but also will reinforce the ideas of blurry and distorted memory. I would start this project by picking one or more memory. I would then decide on my colour palette which consists of two or three dominant colours to help illustrate the emotions I want to convey. I will then practice what I want to do on my iPad so that I get comfortable with turning a loose memory into a concrete illustration. I want my art to invoke and stimulate the viewers with curiosity as well as whatever emotion I get from the chosen memory.

Artist Mentors- I want to focus on Lucas Arruda's art, but also explore other artists similar to him. I think exploring similar artists like Lucas Arruda will help broaden my understanding of this kind of abstract art as well as help develop my own sense of brush-making and style. One of the artists that I want to look more closely at is Joseph Mallord William Turner. His romantic art is a more dramatic and blurred version of Arruda's work and conveys a similar selective colour palette. They are also very similar in how they usually work on smaller canvases. 

Materials-

• My iPad

• Gouache/acrylic

• canvas/wood board (large and small)

• Watercolour sketchpad

• Markers (different sizes) 

Kendra Offermann

I view memory as a creative bridge between reality and abstraction as it is a distorted portrayal of the real world with alterations influenced by the mind’s imagination and a forever changing connection with the subject of the memory as time passes by. I tend to paint landscapes from memory rather than referring to a photo or the landscape itself to make my work more distorted and mysterious; as it is a portal to another world rather than a copy of reality. Most of my landscape pieces are either from my memory or imagination. However, both foundations create a romanticized experience with the assistance of gestural brushwork, the relationship between the chosen colours, and spatial awareness.

Throughout my works, gestural brushstrokes are a key component as it creates visually stimulating and interactive pieces. The animated mark-making and lines within my works illuminate the balance between abstraction and realism that creates different sensory experiences. This style of painting stays consistent from the initial colour blocking to the final details of the pieces. Moreover, the brush marks stay energized and textured throughout the process of creating my art piece. I use mostly complementary colours as well as a more focused and therefore limited colour palette with contrasting warms and cools to help create a more unified art piece. Additionally, the colour’s visually satisfying connection generates the illusion of depth and space within my art. 

The use of gouache allows me to play with the colour’s transparency and therefore helps to reinforce the depth of my pieces. I typically paint on multimedia paper when I use markers to draw the imagined landscape but I also use multiple wooden three-dimensional boards to create one image from my memory to further convey a distorted and abstract piece.