Being inspired by someone else's artwork entails deriving creative inspiration from their work while being committed to uniqueness and appreciation for the source. When you're inspired, you could notice characteristics in their art that speak to you, such as their color palette, subjects, or methods. Instead of just copying their work, you attempt to adapt these inspirations into something entirely your own. This method allows you to incorporate your own artistic voice, thoughts, and feelings into your work, even if remnants of the original inspiration remain. Importantly, you respect the original artist's rights by recognizing their impact and protecting their copyright, building a culture of mutual respect throughout the creative community.

What factors prevent or encourage people to take creative risks?

Numerous factors influence the difficult decision-making process of whether or not to take creative risks. To begin, a person's attitude and personality qualities have a significant impact on their proclivity for creative risk-taking. Those who have a growth mentality, who see obstacles and setbacks as chances for progress, are more likely to take innovative risks. Individuals with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, who are afraid of failure and prefer to stick to what they know, may be less likely to go into the unknown. Furthermore, self-confidence is important; persons with greater self-esteem are more likely to take creative risks because they trust in their abilities to overcome possible losses. Second, an individual's surroundings and external variables might have a substantial influence on their readiness to take innovative risks. A friendly and inclusive workplace or social network may build an environment that encourages experimentation and creativity, hence encouraging creative risk-taking. An atmosphere that penalizes failure or imposes rigid conformity, on the other hand, might inhibit innovation and discourage risk-taking. Furthermore, practical issues such as resource availability, time limits, and financial stability can either empower or stymie creative initiatives. In essence, an individual's decision to take creative risks is shaped by a complex interaction of internal and external influences, with the potential for enormous innovation and growth when the proper conditions coincide.

What makes an artist an artist?

In my personal opinion, an artist transcends the boundaries of mere creation and instead becomes a conduit for the human experience. An artist is someone who embarks on a profound journey into the realm of creativity, armed with a diverse array of tools and formats to effectively convey their innermost thoughts, emotions, and perspectives to the world. This creative endeavor is marked by an unwavering dedication to their craft, an insatiable desire to master their chosen field, and an unrelenting drive to infuse their work with the essence of their individuality. Whether it takes the form of visual arts like painting and sculpture,  or through auditory mediums like music and poetry, or find expression in  dance, theater, or literature, the overarching intention remains constant: the profound need to communicate. At the heart of an artist's identity lies an inexhaustible quest for self-expression and connection with others. Artists tirelessly refine their skills, explore the vast landscapes of creativity, and continually push the boundaries of their own artistic potential. This pursuit is often fueled by an unshakeable passion and an authentic devotion to the intricate and often mystifying process of creation, which is the very essence of what makes an artist an indispensable facet of the human story. An example of an artist that communicates to the world is Kara Walker. Kara Elizabeth Walker is an American contemporary painter, silhouettist, print-maker, installation artist, filmmaker, and professor who communicates through art race, gender, sexuality, violence, and identity in her work. She is best known for her room-size tableaux of black cut-paper silhouettes. She communicates social justice topics through art that really ressenates with people. (Picture is of her most famous art work.) In conclusion, an artist, as illustrated by people like Kara Walker, acts as a profound communicator of the human experience, transcending the confines of creation and providing insightful perspectives into the complex fabric of life.

How do experinces influence the way we relate to art? The way people relate to art is shaped by their experiences in life. One's own understanding of connection to artworks is influenced by personal experiences, emotions, and cultural background. For instance, someone who has suffered a loss might find comfort in melancholy art, while someone from a different cultural background might view the same work from a different angle. Each person's relationship to art is extremely personal and subjective, and life events can deepen one's enjoyment, add levels of meaning, and foster a deeper connection. In the painting to the right, Artist Schenck depicts a sad sheep with a face that conveys both stoic sadness and a sense of anguish. The audience could be expected to empathize with the animal's dire situation right away after recognizing these very human responses. Despite her firm attitude above the bleeding lamb, the sheep's bravery in her face shows the viewer how she expresses her greif. People who have experienced similar situations in there life can relate deeply to this art. In conclusion, the way people relate to art is shaped by their experiences in life.

The production of works of art and design involves a variety of complex processes that are crucial to understanding the settings, histories, and traditions of many creative forms. First off, researching the background of art history may be a great source of inspiration. When designers and artists study the works of previous generations, they come across a wide range of styles, techniques, and movements that might inspire their imagination. They are able to draw from a vast tapestry of ideas thanks to this exposure to a variety of artistic expressions, which encourages innovation and uniqueness in their own work.  Additionally, engaging with modern audiences can be profoundly facilitated by understanding the cultural and historical context of various creative forms. It's common for art to reflect the society and era in which it was produced. Artists and designers can create works that resonate with viewers, generating emotions and reflections that transcend time and space, by anchoring their work in an awareness of previous art movements and their cultural effects. Understanding the history of art lays a solid foundation for invention, in addition to serving as an inspiration and being culturally relevant. By expanding on tried-and-true methods and concepts, artists can push the limits of what is feasible in their chosen medium. By reinterpreting and altering past conventions to fit modern situations, they can breathe new life into traditional forms or construct wholly fresh methods. The core of artistic progress is this constant interaction between tradition and innovation. Furthermore, contextual interpretation benefits from an understanding of art history. Artists can interact with a certain art movement or time period in a more sophisticated and knowledgeable way. To effectively communicate their desired message, they may decide to uphold the traditions, reject them, or reframe them. Such fine-grained comprehension improves their capacity to convey intricate concepts, feelings, and messages through their work.

Art museums are important parts of our community that serve multifaceted roles in society. They are not merely homes for artistic treasures; rather, they have a far-reaching purpose that extends into the realms of education, culture, history, and the preservation of our shared human heritage. These institutions play a crucial role in preserving our artistic heritage, guarding artworks from loss, destruction, or deterioration. Museums protect, conserve, and restore artworks, ensuring that they endure through time. In essence, they are the custodians of our cultural legacy. Furthermore, art museums are educational institutions, fostering intellectual and emotional growth. They offer a platform for learning about art, history, culture, and the human experience. Through exhibitions, lectures, and workshops, museums engage the public and facilitate a deeper understanding of the world's diverse cultures and artistic expressions. They provide visitors with opportunities to explore different cultures, artistic movements, and historical periods, enabling them to engage with art and history beyond their immediate surroundings. Moreover, art museums offer a space for cultural appreciation, reflection, and exploration. Visitors can appreciate and reflect on the rich tapestry of human creativity. These institutions often host collections from various parts of the world, providing a chance for visitors to experience art and history from diverse cultural backgrounds. Beyond cultural exploration, museums serve as sources of inspiration and aesthetic experiences. Viewing artworks in person provides a unique and often emotionally moving encounter. The power of a painting, the three-dimensionality of a sculpture, and the texture of a textile cannot be fully conveyed through reproductions. Visitors leave museums inspired and enriched by the art they have encountered. Art museums also play a critical role in the preservation of history. They document and preserve historical narratives and artifacts, offering insights into the past. By showcasing historical artifacts and artworks, museums remind us of our collective heritage and the events that have shaped our world. Furthermore, museums provide a quiet space for reflection and contemplation, where visitors can contemplate the meaning and symbolism of artworks, consider different perspectives, and engage in self-reflection. Art has the power to stimulate deep thought and introspection

How can you find joy in the art making process amidst the ups and downs?

The art making process is very stressful to say the least. Making sure we can finish in the time frame that its due is hard. Although I got to choose the theme and pick what mediums I wanted. I choose "What impact do humans have on the ocean?" This question to me includes ocean pollution, overfishing, and oil spills. I am very passionate about this topic and why its important to discuss. People need to address these issues more frequently then they do. For example in China they fish for sharks and they cut off their fins then throw them back into the ocean, leading to a slow painful death. in many places around the world people dump their trash into the ocean thinking it will disappear. Animals often ingest plastic mistaking it for food. Turtles mistake plastic bags for fish so often and whales will swallow so much trash when they eat. These are just a few example of this pressing issue. Through my art I am conveying these tragedy's marine animals face. When making art with this theme I am motivated to work my hardest and continue to put in lots of effort. Even through the struggles I don't give up, I instead find ways to solve the problem or start over. In conclusion, through the ups and downs I still find joy from my overall theme. 

When creating these 6 pieces I learned that having to create art on a specific schedule is much more difficult than completing other assignments on a specific schedule. With Art, lots of things can go wrong or can turn out differently than you had anticipated. In most cases, art requires more attention and to complete compared to other assignments. Creating art pieces is enjoyable but can be easily stressful when on a time crunch. These pieces have taught me a lot about the process of creating art over a long time.  In the future, this will benefit me in my future career when doing projects for work and help me better manage my time. 

My 4th piece is finished!!! My fourth piece focuses on the impact of oil spills on marine life. The boat represents companies that care little about ocean life and only care about profit. They don't care how they affect the ocean life around them. The oil spill is depicted as a monster that is eating the fish. This piece took me not nearly as long as I thought. I am not super skilled with watercolor and wasn't quite sure what I was doing. I am very happy with how it turned out, however.  This piece was definetly one of the asiest pieces I've decided to due in this class. 

For my 5th piece, I have decided to do a colored pencil drawing of a turtle in and coral reef inside of a plastic water bottle. This piece will be one of the smaller ones I am creating due to time concerns. This drawing depicts the plastic pollution impact on our oceans. This drawing also includes white paint to show the light reflections of the water bottle. I think this piece is simple and yet tells an important story. I think it will connect with the viewers and make them think more deeply about my essential question: What is humans' impact on the ocean? I also believe this will not take me as long as some of the other pieces I have done. I wanted to do something simple but also complex enough to stand out. I think the mixed media of the paint and the colored pencil will help the piece pop and stand out to the viewer. 

So far I like the way it looks. It looks a bit cartoonish than how I initially wanted to but I like that it's a bit different from the reference image. I first drew the bottle using a ruler to make sure I made the indents at the same measurement. When I am finished with the colored pencil portion I will go in with the white paint and add the highlights from the bottle. I think the turtle looks adorable and the small one looks even cuter. I can't wait to start coloring the turtle shells so I can mix a brown and green that is common on sea turtle shells. I also added sea weed on the sand floor and reduced the size of the turtle. I wanted it to look more like mine but still use inspiration from the reference picture. 

This is my final artwork of the semester! Pulling this together was a last-minute struggle, but I am glad I'm finished. This is definitely my least favorite piece of art I've made this semester just because I feel like I didn't get to spend as much time on it as I would have wanted, but that's my own fault. My favorite part about this piece is definitely the bleached coral. I love the shading and it gives off the dead vibe that I wanted to accomplish. The blue background could definitely use some TLC. The colored pencils I had at home just couldn't accomplish the shading that I wanted but I'm happy that its all put together and finished. 

This is my completed artwork number five. I wanted to draw something more unique and cartoonish to contrast with my other pieces of art. She's definitely the smallest but It might be one of my favorites. I just love the water bottle cut out and I think it gives it a more unique look. The turtle in the center looks much better than I expected. I didn't know how to draw the exact pattern that's on a turtle's shell but it still looks similar and people will understand what it is.  Comparing this piece to my other drawing with the bleached coral this drawing has much more vibrant colors. The pencils I used for this drawing are much better quality and vibrant.  I am still very happy with how this drawing turned out. 

This week I learned how to mat and wire canvases and drawings/paintings. Most of my pieces are drawings/paintings on paper and to make the art look more complete we mat the piece. For my drawing of the bleached coral and fish, I used a black mat frame to make the piece pop more. For my oil spill painting, I am still deciding if I want to use a black mat or a blue mat to simulate the colors of the ocean. I did have a difficult time matting some of the bleached coral when I cut the ruler slides around. Its definitely a skill that takes time to practice but its important to learn how to do this process because in college in my art classes, I may be expected to already know how to do this process. So learning how to do this process if very beneficial to me in the future.