Post-Exhibition Projects

Artist's Statement:

Jillian Wight

Medsker

AP Art and Design

9 June 2022

XTool Laser Design:

This work was inspired by an experience I had while on a road trip a few weeks ago. I was pulled to a stop next to a big truck because there was some pretty intense traffic. My mom and I were listening to a song and dancing to the music, and I looked over at the truck driver next to us. He was dancing too, and waving to me! The same thing happened when I was driving around with my friends a few days later. I wanted to take a break from my normal subject, women, with this work, and I’m really happy with the result.

I used pen and paper to draw defined, clear lines that would stand out well and create a funky-looking figure in my personal style. I then used online programs to finalize the design and printed it onto a few leather keychains. My goal was to emulate the road trip, kitschy, gas station vibe both in the subject of this work and the shape and manner of the keychains.

This whole project was experimental for me! I usually do not draw men, but I had a lot of fun and will definitely include male figures more in my work. I also am very detail-oriented, so such a simple design was very hard for me.

Hedgehog Mountain Design:

The goal of this work was to create a design that incorporated the aspects of Hedgehog Mountain that make it such a special place. The ultimate goal was to have my design on the sign for the park! I chose to create a play on words, drawing a mountain that looked like a hedgehog. I focused on wildlife in my piece, because to me that is what makes the mountain so beautiful.

I used felt tip pens to create defined lines that were simple and would translate well digitally. I then finalized my design with online software.

This project was a challenge for me because I was unsure of how to incorporate my personal style into the work. I am very detail-oriented, and I had to create a very basic design! I would love to try this again and see if I can incorporate my own style a little more successfully.

Linoleum Prints:

I really wanted to make a design that I could end up putting on a shirt for this project. I thought it was the perfect chance to translate my personal style into fashion, and I was so excited! I chose to create a mermaid because for me it is a nostalgic, summery image. I surrounded the mermaid with nature and wildlife because that type of setting means peace to me!

It took quite a while to carve my block, but when it was done, I used purple printing ink to place it on paper. For my extended print, I wanted to add color that brought the image to life in a mystical way. I layered watercolors, sharpie, and paint markers to do so.

When I first tried to plan my design, I suffered from some serious artist block! I had no idea what to do, and I drew up a number of sketches that just weren’t compelling to me at all. Once I got home, I felt a little calmer and tried again. I ended up creating something I loved! However, I had to freehand most of the actual carving, because I forgot tracing paper at school!

Independently Created:

I was so excited to begin this project. I ended up working on the one I’d already started for my AP Art History class! I chose to draw inspiration from a painting in the curriculum, The Oxbow, by Thomas Cole. I wanted to show what I love about the world, the natural beauty of the mountains and the sun, juxtaposed with highways, which are often thought of as “anti” nature. I also wanted to incorporate the image of a truck driver, which I thought was kind of poetic for a number of reasons.

I used needlepoint to emulate organic and natural beauty, and switched to paint for the middle and bottom of the piece to show the manufactured aspects of the landscape. Paint also helped me get a little more precise with my details, but I hope to finish the piece fully in needlepoint this summer!

This piece was very experimental. I did not know how to synthesize my materials for the manufactured aspect of the image! I tried sewing fabric onto the canvas, but details were lost and it looked messy. I am really happy with the final product, and I think the composition is very strong.

. . .