Artist Statement 

For this project, we chose our sustained investigation topic that we will be working on for the rest of the year. For my inquiry, I decided to explore the damaging human impact on the environment. My initial focus aims to raise awareness about the ecological repercussions of climate change. I visually conveyed this message by illustrating a vivid, flourishing tree set against a backdrop of a somber cityscape with looming smoke stacks, symbolizing the environmental degradation jeopardizing our planet and affecting future generations, especially the children growing up amidst these conditions.

For this project, I decided to begin my first sustained investigation with materials I am familiar with, so I used a variety of gauche paints, as well as pencil and colored pencils for shading and details. 

I went through a few processes while creating this piece. I had a hard time drawing buildings that didn’t look too boxy or unrealistic, so I decided to go through my camera role and use a picture of New York City building I had taken from atop the Empire State Building to assist my sketch. After I had finished painting and my artwork was completely dry, I also went over any lines with darker colors to make everything stand out, as well as add smaller details that I could not achieve with the paintbrush. One thing that I will go back and change in this piece, and will work on going forward is making sure I am pushing my contrast, as I have a tendency to paint lightly.