PORTFOLIO REFLECTION

I wanted to take this class because I've never really done much with 3D design before in any other art class, except at the end of FOA. I really enjoyed making a lion head out of cardboard and I was hoping 3D would sort of be like that. I started out with the paper sculpture, which isn't very technical or unique. But throughout this class, I feel like you can definitely see an improvement. Each project is very different, although some you can see I struggled in. The relief lion sculpture was much different from the paper one; it was more detailed and complete. This course was very beneficial for me; I could experience a broader form of art that I had never done before.

I struggled in many different projects along the way; mostly because I couldn't come up with an idea. I'm used to thinking of an idea and translating it onto paper; but in 3D, I had to train my brain to create my idea in the round. The hardest project for me was the hand sculpture. The first class after we completed the plaster hands I just sat trying to think of what I could do with it. I became very frustrated with my art in this project, which is a semi-new feeling for me. Eventually, I got inspiration from hand painting and henna and decided to add a little parakeet sitting on the hand with a falconer's hood over it (very strange, I know).

I'm most proud of the clay animals because they were my first project where I was actually making a creature/figure instead of a flat plate or slab. I've never really been good with clay, but I found that working with it was very relaxing. I'm proud of how they didn't explode (which is something I was worried about) and how the hedgehog even looks like a hedgehog. I'm also happy with how the gnome came out; he was harder to make because he's small and attaching the legs and arms was a little bit of a struggle, but it turned out nice in the end. Lastly, I like how each clay figure connects with each other; I love Scandinavia and its culture, so it was fun to make creatures that are prominent in Scandinavian folklore (hedgehogs and gnomes). One weakness I have as a learner is that I don't usually go back and fix something. For example, my Phil, my wire chicken, doesn't stand up. I could have gone back and fix it but instead I just left it. On the other hand, I tend to make more projects than necessary. For the second concentration, I only going to make a hen, but I had ample time, so I made her a husband. In the clay animals projects, I was just going to make the hedgehog, but I wanted to challenge myself (plus I made more time), so I made the gnome and mushroom.

The last project probably took me the longest, other than the relief project (because it was so large). I struggled a lot with coming up with an idea for this one, but eventually decided to challenge myself, which is why I took this class, and make something I've never made before. I like to work with magazine clips a lot and I took that style of art and put it into play with my rooster. I feel like this was a good ending to the class because it was the most intense for me. Overall, 3D design was a good experience, but I think I'll probably stick with 2D forms of art.