Sustained Investigation #11

Process Images:

Artist's Statement:

Jillian Wight

Medsker

AP Art and Design

1 March 2022

With this piece, my main goal was to address the feedback of my peers. They indicated that I should create works with a clearer theme and that I should emphasize my subjects more. I tried to do so in this work. I wanted to focus on the idea of stigmas around old age in society. Many females in the public eye are shamed constantly as they grow older for their appearance, whether that means weight gain, skin differences, hair, style, etc. I illustrated a young girl trying to escape an old woman to reflect this struggle. I think that the subject was made pretty clear by this choice, although I think the intensity and facial expressions may mislead some people. To emphasize my subjects, I used darker darks and lighter lights. I also didn’t go overboard on detail, a mistake I tend to make.

I created this piece using Sharpie felt-tip pens and a white gel pen. I also made the paper the shape of a triangle in order to better house my composition.

I think this was a very experimental piece for me. I knew what I wanted to do in terms of composition from pretty early on. However, I really wanted to push myself and so my original idea evolved into one that challenged my skills in recreated perspective. The funky perspective and composition is supported by the triangle-shaped paper. I played around with the shape of the paper quite a bit before setting on a triangle, and I found that this was the best shape to support the arrangement of the figures and emphasize each one/draw the reader’s eye around. I’m really happy with this piece, but going forward, I really want to work on synthesizing my materials better with my theme. I also want to evoke my personal style a little more. This is one I would definitely revisit!

. . .