Sustained Investigation #14

Artist's Statement:

Jillian Wight

Medsker

AP Art and Design 

20 March 2023

With this piece, I wanted to explore a kind of exaggerated, comical version of my relationship with my grandfather growing up.  I wanted to show my idolization of him contrasted with his “sick and tired” attitude.  This is kind of a running joke in the family, but I’d say there’s some truth to it.  I drew him sitting in his chair by the window, and used the light around him to serve as a sort of halo, reflecting the way that many religious idols have been portrayed throughout history.  I exaggerated the grouchy expression on his face and the way he melts into his chair to really lean into the contrast.  

I used black pen and paper to create this piece because I really wanted to exaggerate dark darks and light lights, as well as attention to form.  I like the results, and I think the linework is visually interesting and adds some depth to the piece.

I’m really happy with this piece, although I worry that the subject matter may be a little unclear.  I’m planning to revise it by going back in with a pen or possibly with a crayon (the only art supplies my grandfather ever kept at his house) and exaggerating the halo.  I also want to add some more solid black in the dark areas to increase depth.  When I was creating this piece I struggled a bit with the framing and played around with slightly different compositions.  I’m really happy with the one I settled on, because I think it reflects the kind of scary old portraits that hang on my grandfather’s walls.

. . .