Blog Guidelines MUST READ

Hello Studio Art Students!

This blog is a new idea that us merry art teachers are trying out to help you communicate with each other better. As well as the communication, we want you to have your own space where you can comfortably share ideas, artwork, and monitor your growth as an artist. Just like anything else though, there will be a few guidelines we want you to be aware of:

-Don't post anything on the blog you wouldn't happily share in front of a classroom, teachers, or your parents
                  -This should sum up just about everything. Understand that this is still the INTERNET. We are trying to make everything safe and private, but this is the INTERNET. Once you post anything to the INTERNET, its on the INTERNET (duh, Mr. B we know this) We don't expect any problems, but just in case.... This is not Facebook, you are in a digital classroom. That is all.

-Communication is a two-way street. 
               - Don't be the person who gets a bunch of comments and never comments back. If someone gives you a constructive comment, be sure to return the favor. This site is not just a photojournal, or online portfolio, please discuss each others work and the work we(the teachers) show you.

-Posting IS part of your grade.
              - More than ever we want our studio art students to think of themselves as taking the last step towards a career in art. This means becoming part of a community. I can tell you from experience that it is impossible to consider yourself an artist in this age without having an internet presence. Right now it is this blog, in the future it will be your own blog or webpage or DeviantArt profile. Get used to communicating, it will only benefit you.

Please leave a comment showing that you have read this. There may be more things we(the teachers) address as the semester goes on. Remember to ask us any questions that you may have about the blog. If you're not sure how to make a post, be sure to read the "How to use Blogger" post.

-B

Connections Concept Sketches

Here are the sketches I did for the "connections" piece. I chose to go with our connection to nature.

Was messing around with general design, layout, root structure, etc:

Found a post I liked and practiced it:

Early concepts that were scrapped:

Wayne Eagleboy, connections

I chose Wayne Eagleboy, a contemporary Native American artist, as my third artist who works with connections.  His painting below, "We-the People" communicates very powerful messages about his point of view. Throughout history cultural and political issues have provided artists with unlimited opportunities for creative expression.

Do you have strong feelings about particular issues?  How might you connect your art skills with those feelings?  Making connections may lead to greater understanding, compassion... even change... hopefully, change for the better!

For more information for the link at the end of this post.

Mr. Exner

Wayne Eagleboy, We-the people, acryl and barbed wire on buffalo skin, 1971


http://openanthcoop.ning.com/profiles/blogs/living-in-exile-in-their-own-land-contemporary-native-american




  

Karin Kuhlmann, connections

The next artist I found to be of interest, in terms of connections, is contemporary artist, Karin Kuhlmann.  She makes intricate digital art using mathematical principles and formulas.   The results illustrate stunning visual connections between math and art!

Do you see connections between art and any or all of the other subjects you are currently studying in school?

http://karin-kuhlmann.artistwebsites.com/featured/causally-connections--white-modern-art-karin-kuhlmann.html

Causally Connections - White Modern Art - Karin Kuhlmann

I hope some of these images provide you with food for thought for your explorations of our "Connections" theme.

Mr. Exner

Yoskay Yamamoto, connections

The first artist I chose who works with connections is Yoskay Yamamoto, a Japanese born artist who has been working in the United States for all of his adult life.  He makes a conscious effort to connect his Japanese heritage with his current life here in the US.

I find the images to be quite interesting in how styles are combined, blended and connected to make new artistic statements.  I've included a few pictures of his artwork to get you started.  Feel free to research more about him and his artwork online!

Enjoy your "Connections" adventure!
Mr. Exner

The following pictures and text are from: the Indigits website:

Yoskay Yamamoto

by Methystic

Yoskay Yamamoto lives and is inspired by his current place of residence – west coast America. Originally from Toba, Japan Yamamoto’s moved to the United States when he was 15. A self taught artists/illustrator Yamamoto utilises a number of different mediums and techniques to produce his work. He also sculpts. He states he is inspired by the urban culture of his surroundings but part of his work is to fuse this with his heritage – merging both cultures together. Yamamoto takes traditional Japenese elements and combines them with the iconic pop characters of his home to create a modern yet traditional fusion of pop art inspired works.

1. What would you say is the most important theme in your work?
One example, for my solo show ‘hello and goodbye’ my work centered around the theme of connection and separation. I left my home town Toba, Japan when I was 15 and this separation eventually helped me to connect to my family on a deeper level. Also being away from my culture and its tradition made me realise how special and meaningful they were to me. There are times when separation helps me to connect – to grow and understand myself better, and there are situations when attachments make me feel powerless and weak…

This balance and the conflict between connection and disconnection fascinates me. Over all I believe that we strive for connections that refine our ability to understand ourselves better.

2. What’s most inspiring to your working process?
I’m most inspired when my work surprises myself. I enjoy watching where my work takes me… the process and progress itself becomes the inspiration to push myself and my work harder and further.

3. Have you any strange talents that influence the work you produce or the way you produce it?
I don’t know if this counts as a talent but I’m mildly clumsy so happy accidents happen sometimes in my work.