Final Project
Francis
Watercolor paper, Black pen, Watercolor
18" x 12"
Artist Statement:
My goal was to create something using a 4x5 grid of circles of the same size.Â
I used watercolor paper, watercolor, pen, pencil, scissors, and glue to make this.
My original plan was to just make a weird looking caterpillar with the circles, but this was before I learned that it had to be in a 4x5 pattern. Still wanting to make a caterpillar, I changed my idea slightly. I took paper and layered it on top so I could glue smaller circles underneath the larger ones while I was working to make my life a bit easier. I tried to structure it so it wasn't sitting back and forth more like all different. I intended to add some stitching aspect to it so I didn't add part of the caterpillar in the center and watercolor to look like pain and blood. I still had some time left so I added arms and a sewing needle to look like she is trying to repair herself. I also added patches and other stich marks between the body. I think my favorite part of this was the story that goes along with it. Along the outer circles there are small drawings intended to look like a little girl drew them. These tell the story of Francis, her pet caterpillar, and how she ended up this way.
Francis:
One day there was a little girl named Francis who was playing outside with her red balloon. Her attention was taken away from this when she saw a small caterpillar on a branch. she captured the insect and took it home. Quickly, they became good friends. Francis would talk to her, bring her leaves, and teach her to sew. She really liked to make white polar bears with black stitching. she thought it looked nice. Later in time, the caterpillar began to reach the point where it needed to become a butterfly. while in its cocoon, the girl became very sad. She began to cry. Her best friend was gone for so long that she got very sick. Eventually the butterfly amerged and all was well, other than the fact that she was getting sicker by the minute. Eventually, Francis passed away. The butterfly became very sad as well, however she did not die. Her wings slowly decayed away, and she was forced to sew parts of her body back together. there were times where she had to replace her own skin with white cloth and black string. She continues to live by Francis's grave, waiting to be with her.