Whatchama DRAWit

Artist Statement

The prompt behind this piece was "Draw a lollipop having a conversation with a chocolate bar". I decided to interpret this with an abstract approach. I found which colours would correspond with the lollipop, and which would represent the chocolate bar. I used these colours to create whimsical shapes coming from each character, and interwove them to signify what a conversation might look like, each individual putting forth something that responds to the other's words. I took the idea further, creating shapes behind each character to show what they were thinking. These shapes look a lot like the opposite character, but not quite the same. This is because it is visualizing empathy- the idea of conjuring what the other might be thinking, but it's not exact. Since the perspective was not from inside the conversation, but as an observer, I added a yellow sheen to represent that it was another perspective. If a conversation were to be drawn, this is how I, personally, think about it- different shapes and sizes connecting with each other.

I used marker for most of this piece, which was something that is out of my comfort zone. I usually work with pencils and paints, so I pushed myself to use a medium that wasn't so forgiving. Almost everything is done in marker. The yellow haze and the shading on the chocolate is in crayon.

I started this piece with the lollipop and the chocolate bar, which brought the emphasis to them and their bold lines. I then incorporated the "visual conversation" idea, using shapes that had more movement and different colours. I experimented with the shapes of their conversation, trying to fit them together. I kept adding, using black lines and dots to give more movement, created patterns for the characters, and to show that the waves were coming from them.

For my next steps, I wouldn't add anything, for fear of overwhelming the piece visually. As it already has many shapes, bold colours, a little bit of pattern, I want to keep some negative space so there is a balance within the artwork.