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Finished Artwork

Title: Crimson Embrace

Size: 20x20

Date completed : September 30, 2024

Inquiry question: How does the relationship between my mother and I nurture a distinctive bond that has shaped both our lives?

Ideas: Mom holds baby me in rosy hues,signify love,figures outline w/ delicate white patterns, merging as 1 (100)

Materials: Acrylic on canvas board, white gel pen to illustrate outline echo patterns, depicting our bond (94)

Process: RosyPalette 4love,layerAcrylic,gelpen echo patterns our merge,WhiteBlanket symbolize bond from birth (100)

Citations: Photo of my mom and me in 2007, mom holding baby me, taken by dad (65)

Inspiration 

Alice Neel

Illustrated 3 simple acrylic artworks: 2 food pieces, 1 portrait to practice face shades, shapes, and highlights. Took photos of folded shirt to study folds in fabric/blanket/shirt. Planned artwork: mind map, grid reference pic, adjusted saturation to rosy hues, & added notes 2 show merging. (292)

Experimentation

After finishing the piece, I digitally adjusted the saturation to explore how color/hues and saturation changes might change the meaning and message of the original work (warm, bond), testing how different tones could convey varied emotions or interpretations. (260)

Process

timelapse video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11W-S-lCbYsIr3G_hONSzvcpS00JYYejN/view?usp=sharing 

Sketched on canvas board, began with a water mixed acrylic pink background. Painted the two figures' faces using various shades of pink and red to define features. Used gel pen for echoed patterns, added details to facial expression, then painted the white blanket to symbolize merging. (286)

Reflection and Revision 

I am overall very satisfied with my final project 1 piece. I developed my acrylic paint skills, but the most complex (and my least favorite) part was the facial expression. That was where I needed to work on it more through practice. I enjoyed illustrating the patterns and the gradation of red to pink. I was able to deliver my message regarding my SI. I can improve more with hair details and face details to make it look more realistic and full of emotion shown clearly.  My inspiration for this project was works from Alice Neel, as many of her works show a deep bond between mothers and their children. It helped me a lot to navigate my final idea into a project. Before the final process, I studied how clothes fold (in art), and practiced with acrylic paint to get a feel for texture and layering. I also worked digitally with hues and saturation to experiment with different color palettes. Through practice and experimentation, I was able to fine-tune my approach and be more confident in the blending of colors in my final piece. I want the other viewers to see my work as more than just a mother holding her daughter, but the bond between them through the patterns and the colors. 

MLA Citations

Photography, G.P. (2024) ‘mother and child-havana’ by Alice Neel, Flickr. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/greatestpaka/52004349833 (Accessed: 30 September 2024).

Stamberg, S. (2021) Alice Neel’s paintings meet the moment at the met, NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2021/05/14/995525300/alice-neels-paintings-meet-the-moment-at-the-met (Accessed: 30 September 2024).