Stop Motion Practice

Self-Portrait

For Kate..

STEAMPUNK RINGO

Thank you, Kate, for all of your encouragement and enthusiasm!

The Final Project

My piece is titled..

Ringo, My Good Friend...(the love that can save us)

For my final work I chose to use my little puppy, Ringo , as the subject. It is representative

to me of many things. It is often said that our pets love us unconditionally. I find that very

refreshing  and  must admit the joy that brings to me personally, coming from a place where

with so many people to "please", I  take great pleasure in  his warm (always!), and gentle

 companionship. It amazes me the boost to our self esteem our beloved pets can bring us 

simply by jumping on our laps to sit , or following us from room to room as we go through

our mundane tasks of the day. When the enivitable dark days show up in our lives it is always

reassuring to feel the look of encouragement and love that comes from their enthusiastic presence.

For these images, I used photographs that I shot myself and some Google images that I believe are fairly appropriated due to their manipulation in a way that has changed their appearance.

Final Project WIP

This is just part of what will be a larger story... Still working on the "Big Picture"

Final Assignment Proposal

For my Final Assignment I have been working on an idea of using an assortment of

 animal photographs that I will shoot and digitally work them into a variety of  time-traveling scenes with a heavy accent on Steam punk . I may then collect some appropriate metal gears and such and construct some interesting framework to display these images in.

I also am very drawn to the idea of collaging a Psychological Self Portrait , though. We'll see where this leads....

Assignment 5

Technology 

and it's effect on our world

 I chose to use images of my dog combined with appropriated images from a google search of "steam punk" style.  Steam punk is (in one instance) defined as a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy featuring advanced machines and other technology based on steam power of the 19th century and taking place in a recognizable historical period or a fantasy world.

  I find this style to very artistically interesting and visually appealing! I worked on a few different pieces but kept being drawn back to the mood and effect of this one as it evolved. In the end I feel that this is representing the story of the fresh, younger generation all revved up and ready to go for a new adventure while still being aware of this older "Father Time"companion's voice of reason. It also reminded me of one of my favorite cartoons growing up- The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle. There was a particular segment of the show called " Mr. Peabody and (his boy) Sherman". Peabody was a dog of genius level and together they time-traveled in something they called the "Way Back Machine".  Awesome vintage cartoon!

I feel the images that I did appropriate were altered enough that they should not be a problem with copyright law.

Assignment 5 - Work in Progress

Technology's Effect on Today, Tomorrow and Beyond...


















I have just begun to create this but am very excited..

Digital Nation

After watching the documentary " Digital Nation" in class, I found the film to be very thought
provoking. I have been spending increasing amounts of time online recently and have noticed how easy it is to let many hours pass while mindlessly roaming from one site to the next and almost being physically and mentally unable to stop, get up and do something else.
I know for a fact that this has caused a very obvious increase in the stiffness in my neck and shoulders and increasing numbness in my arms and fingers. I can't help but wonder what more ominous illnesses may come about down the road for us that we are not aware of now.
I just recently read (online, while clicking on a new subject of interest!) that studies have shown that several types of cancers have been shown to have a greater risk for people who sit for long periods of time without getting up and moving around for even a few minutes.


When I think about the possible effects on the way technology will change the way we experience art, I think that it mostly expands the wonderful world of all the various art forms in the way that  we are able to view it so readily now. It is very inspiring to me to be able to google anything in the subject of art and be instantly given a wealth of images right at my fingertips. While it is not quite equal to the experience of seeing the art in person, it has a very instant therapeutic effect on my brain. I think that with this technology it could inspire many "would be" artists to have the confidence to pursue their dreams knowing how many others are out in the world successfully doing just that.

Assignment 5 Proposal

I have a few ideas in mind. One image that comes to mind is how many times a day we see people using their cellphones simultaneously with just about everything else that they are doing. Family scenes also come to mind in which everyone is out for a very nice, elegant dinner and everyone has placed their phone on the table in front of them, constantly glancing down , as if they were doctors on call or something. Also have thought about collaging a portrait of my head with all the things I have been googling spilling out.

What are some ways to communicate these ideas visually?

I will most likely photograph some scenes myself around different candid locations and see where that takes the project creatively. Then I hope to use photoshop to create a montage that is visually interesting and a little more abstract in nature than just a single photograph, per se'.

      

Assignment 4- Muybridge Animation

 I chose to update this piece with a flashy scene from Times Square in New York City, on the
night that it's most famous for-New Years Eve! After separating the horse and rider from the original back round , I then added a borrowed photo of Times Square,  separated the "Happy New Year" lights to layer them to flash, and also "cut out" the existing spot light lines of the picture, repositioned them, took out their color and staggered their movement.  I hope that it doesn't induce a seizure, but I think it's kinda cool.

Adobe Illustrator 4 Seasons

Assignment 3

Visual Mapping

After many racing thoughts and ideas on this project I finished this.
I combined all the grade school photographs of myself and then copied
them as a reverse . Stacked them on top of each other, changed their opacity
over and over, moved them around in order and still not really sure I like it
at all. I've always been interested in faces of children and the way they change
as they age, but somehow stay the same , so that's why I chose this particular
concept of mapping.  I kept the original 70's era color because I feel it best
represents the time period.

Old News Assignment

On October 1, 2012 , I had the pleasure of attending the opening of photographer Jeff Sprang's exhibit titled "Old News". This collection was

on display in the OSU-Mansfield Pearl Conard Art Gallery.The photographs

were framed black and white silver gelatin prints that Mr. Sprang shot from

1970-1997 while employed with the Mansfield News Journal, The Lantern, 

and the Associated Press.

A few days later during the Artists Lecture, Mr. Sprang described in vivid

detail, some very interesting stories behind each of the 34 pieces. Although

the subjects varied greatly, the photographs all shared a strong ability to

draw the viewer into the scene and visualize the moment in time as if you

were there. This is something I think is a lost art in today's modern world

where newspaper photos are shot much more hastily, with a lot less attention

given to the artistic value.

Although I would have a hard time finding any of the photographs uninteresting,  I must say I was very taken in by #29-Fire in Galion, shot 

March 22, 1986. The photo itself was so visually griping with the smoke

billowing out of the collapsing structure as a fireman races towards the building.

It gave such an immediate sense of urgency to the viewer as if you were wondering how much time is left before it all collapses. I believe this shot captured the perfect moment and what is so amazing is that it was done

with a manual film camera without any light metering used. 

I found this exhibit to be much more interesting than I think one

would imagine at first. It is refreshing to go back and enjoy the feel of ,

in some ways, a simpler time.  It is a great testament to Mr. Sprang that even 

though he has a great eye for the composition as well as a gift for recalling verbally the scenes he has captured, the images themselves can stand alone as

beautiful pieces of art.

This is a photo of Mr. Sprang from the Spring 2012 Quarter.

I had the privilege of his instruction in Black and White Film 

Photography. We had a wonderful time learning from him

the lost art of darkroom film developing and printing!

Assignment 3 Visual Mapping

Assignment 3  Visual Mapping

For this assignment I have been working on two ideas.
One that I feel is more within my technical bounds , and
one that I really relate to and hope to be able to create .

I first started to use all 13 of my grade school photographs
and lay them over each other in a way that might create
something interesting. I then got the idea to use our most
recent family photo and do everyone in the picture the
same way. Haven't done much on the second one but
scan a ton of older photos.

Here are couple of examples of the idea...First one is pretty freaky!

What I would really like to do is a Mind Map using images of trees I have taken
recently and draw with text of the many branches to illustrate my crazy , manic,

thoughts. I hope to be able to achieve this in a way that is artistically pleasing.

Assignment 2 ~ Social Commentary/Critique

Speak No Evil- Pedophile Priests-
 ( and the people who cover for them. )

I chose this subject for many reasons, but mainly because it is a news story that

just doesn't ever go away. I am continually shocked and appalled at the ability

for these atrocities to be carried out against the most innocent among us... our 

children. Even more shocking is how much of it is "swept under the rug".

  In researching this on the web and gathering images to use I was confronted
 with a tidal wave of disturbing accounts of abuse on children and adolescents

 at the hands of the very persons that they are taught to believe are their ultimate

"protectors"; ones they should go to in times of trouble or to confess their sins.  

Although I used the strong image of the Pope in this piece, it in no way fully 

represents the full scope in regards to the Catholic church being the only guilt 

party. There are accounts of abuse in many other religions and also a very wide

spread and well known pedophile epidemic that has been reported on for years

in the Boy Scouts of America organization.

I believe that the images that I used from the internet fell under the fair use

ruling because most were either modified in a way that totally changed their

appearance or were used to convey a new message.

                   

visualcomplexity.com | I Wish...

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• Visual Complexity
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• I found the project titled "I Wish...." by Trina Brady very interesting. In it she invited people to reflect and then answer this question: What do you wish for in your life? Is it realistic , and is it achievable? The final artistic rendering below, I  am simply awestruck by. Not only for it visual beautiful but also the  very relevant question that the author said speaks to our current condition of spending more and more time in our work pursuits and less time on our "dreams" .
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I Wish... Author(s): Trina Brady Institution: Royal College of Art Year: 2007 URL: http://tinyurl.com/38un55

DEADLINE FAIL

Assignment 2- Social Commentary/Critique

I chose to do my assignment on the subject of pedaphile priests in the Catholic Church.
I have gathered seemingly hundreds of images and have spent many, many hours in
an attempt to compose this in a way that I can very vividly see in my mind.

I have not been able to complete this as of yet. I am very technically challenged it
seems. I am very disappointed and  will continue on ....

So far this are two of the works in progress..


The top is very rough , just threw in the altar boys because I couldn't figure out how

to put them into the shape  next to them.. So sad,,, to be continued.

Assignment #2

                   

    Assignment 2 - Social Commentary/ Critique



                                      Work in Progress


                                 I'm all finished, isn't it great!!!!  
  
     Ok, yes it's great, just not mine.

        
                 
     This is the work of the great German artist Hannah Hoch (1889-1978). She, along with Raoul Hausemann and John Heartfield are credited with creating the first photo montages. I will use them as my "inspiration artist".


I have decided to base my project on pedophile priests. Although I had many different and interesting ideas for subject matter, this one just kept coming back to the front of my mind.

Ok, so to update my true progress , here goes:

I have selected approx 40 images from the web search and have attempted to 
edit them down in Photoshop. Very time consuming for someone who must continue switching screens to the tutorials on the web! I had hoped to have more completed work to post today but many, many hours have not produced much real progress in regards to the finished piece. Here are a few of the images I will incorporate....

  Here is one of the very unfinished edits I have worked on.... It's gonna take a lot of trial and error for me , as this software is somehow really difficult for me to retain .  Having fun in the process, though. Can't wait to be good at this!