Zoë Rose V.

Los Dias de los Muertos

            My assignment for this project was to create “conflict”. My process before the project was to brainstorm some ideas to create the images I wanted to incorporate. After I found my idea, Day of the Dead I drew up a sketch. I came up with “Day of the Dead” because my family and I have always had an interest in it. The steps into creating my conflict piece was first I drew out my theme, got tissue paper and copied my drawing onto the tissue paper. After that we received a original flat surface linoleum block, from there we placed the tissue paper on the block and traced out drawing with a fine point permanent sharpie, so it bled through on to the linoleum block, and then we start carving. For me the most difficult was the planning and figuring out what my conflict was. The easiest of the process was carving out the block.

            My piece represents Day of the Dead, and the Mayans, back then the Mayans would have rituals honoring deceased ancestors. In my relief print there is a girl with a skeleton-like face, and she’s looking up to the Mayan calendar. The main theme for my relief print is about not the sadness of losing someone you love, it’s about remembering and rejoicing. I used positive and negative space to separate the girl and the calendar, this added emphasis to the important things of my piece. Also the skeleton-like girl and the Mayan calendar are the main idea because they grab your attention and it moves you throughout my print.

            When I was doing my project I made sure that it was something different, and more unique. Adding the roses was a decision that I thought was perfect because it emphasized spanish women who wore them. By adding the roses it gave the print a better vibe, because you would have to get more in depth with Day of the Dead and The Mayans to actually catch that conflict.

            I really enjoyed this project because I got to incorporate something that was in my interest, and I stepped outside my creativity box and got pushed into doing something that was beneficial. I would more defiantly improve my print better and make the lines more this thick to create more form, but other than that, the best part about my piece is the skeleton-like girl because she is the main attraction. 

              

Carlie G.

Carlie Garcia

The Consequences of Greed

Artist Statement

The assignment for this project was to make 10 relief prints on a conflict that I felt passionate about. An instant theme for the conflict was greed, as well as the things that come with it; for example, the destroying of forests and land for productivity. Before I even thought of putting the art on linoleum, I had to come up with 10 different thumbnail sketches, make a separate drawing of the thumbnail sketch, as well as make a “map” of thoughts and conflicts for me to choose from. I came up with greed by through the idea of the “man vs.” conflict; it involves man vs. self, society, and nature, which show definite conflict. The most important parts for me in this project were the map and the thumbnail sketches; they helped me figure out how to decide my conflict, as well as what it would look like on the printing paper. One of the parts of this project that I struggled with was deciding the conflict. This was a problem because I had many ideas, but not all of them were conflicts; and then some of them could be registered as a conflict, but couldn’t be shown on paper as easily. I overcame this problem by speaking with my classmates and finding out which conflict worked the best.

My conflict represents greed and some of the disasters that come with it. The smoke in the sky is from the factories that were created by the need of products, which shows greed from both the buyers and the businessman. Also, if you notice, there isn’t any vegetation within the print, but instead cash and coins. This shows that the businessman put money before life. The man is standing with his arms outstretched and is grinning, showing his pride at having so much “accomplished.” The man is also the focus of my drawing because he is the cause of the damage behind him, having become overrun by greed. The topic of greed is significant to me because of the damage done to the earth. Pollutions are evident to me everytime it rains because I can see the smoke and gasses on the horizon, caused by both the cars and the factories around me. All of these were caused by successful, yet greedy businessmen who still make harmful products for money.

When I was working on my print, I decided to give his hair and the background more detail; for example, before, both his hair and the background were supposed to be pure white. I then changed it to show that his hair wasn’t pure white, but black with highlights and the background went from undetailed to striped. When I made the ground I had to make sure that it looked like it was made of coins, so adding extra detail like points where light bounced off the coins and including a few outlines were necessary.

I really enjoyed working on this project. Some of the things that made this enjoyable for me were the idea of conflict and that I was able to try out print-making for the second time. I loved the idea of conflict, so when I was allowed to do that in a project, I already had a few conflict ideas in mind. This made the project much more fun to work on. I also like print-making, so this project was fun because I was able to try it again and learn more than I had the first time. I believe the part that came out the best on my print were the fields of coins behind the businessman because they were able to come out the clearest as well as exactly how I wanted them to appear on the printing paper.

Nalye L.

Y O U R _E V E R Y _M O V E

______[©nalyelor]There's problems everywhere- whether it be in a kindergarten classroom to the meeting room of some big company, to conflict between two nations. This project is all about these problems. We were to choose a conflict and express it on the carving board. I had many initial ideas as to what issues I should address creatively. First, I started with some man vs. self concepts, then I moved onto man vs. nature. However, I just wasn't satisfied with the sketches for them. I don't know why but they weren't enough. So I brainstormed more problems. I came up with gender vs. gender. I did some sketches for that too but they weren't very original. Then, on a whim, I drew a thumbnail similar to an image I had seen before: a woman sitting on a chair that was held up by multiple men stacked on top of each other. That image led me to power and persuasion, and eventually manipulation.
______[©nalyelor The ideas that drive my pieces are most important to me. It is also the part that I struggle most with, probably because of its importance. "Your Every Move" can be interpreted in many ways. I must admit that I enjoy having it that way. Besides, it's not like they're incorrect exactly (since I'll most likely agree with their meaning)- they just did not see it the way that I did while making it. Individuals are always being taken advantage of, whether it be by society, the people around them, or even themselves. It's kind of like Cooley's social psychological concept of "the looking-glass self".

______[©nalyelor]I tried my best to portray some sort of stage (there's an audience, the spotlight glass under the puppet, and the curtains). I also tried using texture and contrast. These helped separate the positive and negative spaces, giving emphasis to the light parts. The textures help emphasize that both figures are puppets: the puppet is being controlled by yet another mere puppet. In fact, it could even represent that they are being controlled by none other than their very own self.

______[©nalyelor]This conflict relief printing assignment was very enjoyable. Printing is always so exhilarating. When you carve, you can easily make a mistake, but sometimes those mistakes make it even better or you're forced to turn the mistake into something great. Even worse is trying to duplicate perfect prints. It's tough but very much worth it. Just like that, conflict always surrounds us. I don't necessarily think that my piece has a 'best part', but the puppets sure can stand on their own without the background. Personally, I believe that every aspect brings it together as one wonderful, best part.

Emily A.

Candyman Vs Veggieman

Artist Statement

                I created a printing block to make a portfolio. The theme was conflict and I chose to do obesity and the internal struggle between making the right choices. I started by making a mind map to decide which conflict I wanted to draw out. I drew out some thumbnails of the ideas I had for each conflict I came up with and I liked the obesity ideas best. This part was important because I could figure out which design I could add a lot of texture and make it interesting. It’s hard to get the correct thickness when I started carving. I just had to have patience so I didn’t mess up.

                My conflict is obesity because to choose the right choices is hard sometimes but it’s important to keep a healthy body and a lot of people underestimate the importance of having a healthy body. It’s important to me because my family and I have always had trouble with weight so eating right is a big part of my life to make sure my family’s health problems don’t get passed down to me. Veggie man and Candy man really emphasize this idea. I made this the focus because in my mind that’s how the struggle is when I make food choices.

                To create variety, I tried to use a lot of different thicknesses to my lines. This brings life to my piece and if all the lines were the same then the piece would be boring and kind of one dimensional. To create the illusion of shadow, I added little lines that brought a little form to the objects. These also served as separating objects from one another. These really brought the characters out because the contrast of them to the rest of the piece with their difference in lines made them have emphasis.

                I thought this project was kind of fun but frustrating at the same time. I enjoyed planning and carving. However doing the actual prints was tough. I’m a perfectionist so when a print wasn’t perfect it would make me angry. Next time, I don’t think I’ll use as many small lines because the ink covers it too easily. I like the citrus clouds the best because it really stands out from the sky and I spent a lot of time on it so I’m glad they turned out as well as they did.



Adryen R.

            

Good Vibes for Endangered Animals

The assignment for this project was to create a print that addresses a conflict in the world. My conflict was how majestic endangered animals are and how by showing them in art could possibly allow people to start to appreciate them a little more and make a bigger effort to help them continue to survive. Before I started this project I had a hard time coming up with different things to incorporate together. The steps that I took to accomplish this were to find a cool animal that would go with the tree I created. I didn’t really struggle any aspect of the print because of my ability to alter things for better unity. This conflict represents the overlooking of thing that matter in the world because they are forgotten about. The main theme was “Good vibes for endangered animals”. The tree was partially based on a cover art for a reggae band named Rebelution who promote good vibes and good times. Unfortunately the awesome owl represents the forgotten species who are about to be extinct even though they are some of the most incredible to walk or fly through though this world of ours. I used a technique I came up with showing details as best as possible but leaving the background out so that someone could add to it or incorporate it into another piece. When I was creating my masterpiece I made sure that detail would be a constant theme throughout the owl. I also used different line thickness to show the difference between the animal and the tree. The use of these element s and the principles helped me create visual emphasis by showing how important nature and its citizens are to the planet. I really enjoyed this project because this was my first time doing printmaking, bettering my artistic abilities. 

Alexis O.



                                                                    Artist Statement

The assignment this project was to choose a conflict in today’s world that meant something to us as an artist. With that conflict we were supposed to create a drawing to carve that represented our conflict best. I first had to have my subject placed correctly to create the element space for the rule of thirds. I then put my conflict in the background which was the oil rig. I had a difficult time placing my objects to fit my vision, but what I created I think turned out great.

My conflict was global warming, or the effect us humans have on our environment. I used a baby polar bear surrounded by a huge oil spill. This is important to me because I think wild life is very beautiful and important to our world and we, as humans, are supposed to protect the animals. Instead we are hurting them. Our oil spills in the ocean are dangerous. While these oil spills are damaging, they are also beautiful. The chemical sits on top of the water and the way that it swirls is beautiful. Its contradicting how something so pretty can be so dangerous.

When I was creating my art I made sure to put as many textures as I could in it. I cut out the bear’s fur and the swirls in the oil. Along with the clouds in the sky to the waves in the water. I made sure you could see the difference in my texture so you could see my subjects clearly.

I enjoyed doing this project because it was really challenging carving out what I imagined on my paper. I think the best part about my piece is my oil rig and the way I set it up in the back on my horizon line. The oil coming from it is also great, when it swarms around my polar bear.

Hsin Ying Lin

Artist Statement

The assignment for this project was to experience different type of art style. We usually use simple thing to do an art work, this time, we used carving and printing to achieve our assignment. Before I started on this art project I had to be sure what I want imagine I want to present. All I think about is jungle. I thought it will look nice with all then the texture on the plants. The steps in making this work of art that were most important to me are carving. You have to be really confident on where you are going to carve, because once you mess up, you can’t get back any more.  One part of the process that was a little difficult for me was also carving. It is really hard to carve when the block is hard. You have to carve really hard, and once you are careless for a bit, you will hurt yourself.

  My print represents people who are eager for ‘’freedom’’. The main theme is in the jungle. When talking about freedom, all I think about is the animals and giant plants in the jungle. That’s where my idea came from. I used a lot of different texture on my print. The part I carved out emphasis my main idea. The peeking eyes show how people are eager about the freedom. They are thirst for it, but afraid.  Also the hand which is trying to hold the flower significance how they want to reach and get their liberty.

  When I was doing my printing, I made sure that I feel confident of every step I made. I also think carefully which part I want to carve and emphasize. I make sure that I used all different size of tool, which I can make my print look more attractive and interesting.

  I really enjoyed doing this project. It is really different from the old work we did. The most interesting part is that every print you print it out is different. You will also feel exciting about what is coming out. It is really hard to make a prefect print, almost impossible. But every print is unique. You can never print the exactly same thing. I think the best part about my piece is I actually carved out what I want tell. I enjoyed it! 

Dakota S

"Shovel Dog"

            The assignment for this project was to create an imagine representing a world conflict. Before I started on this project I had to brainstorm a conflict that interests me or that I have a strong feeling about. I came up with this idea from an internet based video called "Shovel Dog" that showed a brutal scene of a dog being abused. The steps in making this work of art that were most important to me were putting my true sense of feeling into a conflict I wanted to specifically respresent. One part of the process that was little difficult for me was putting my idea into am image I was comfortable with carving.

           The conflict of animal abuse represents in this image the animal is burying humanity with the shovel he has taken away from his owner. This concept is important to me because animals don't have a voice like humans do, and in my image the dog is taking action. I used techniques such as specified content in my image to emphasize the concept. The shovel has an important and specific part to emphasize the fact that the animal has stopped the abuse against himself.

           When I was doing my image I made sure that it was filled with lots of harsh texture to separate sections and shapes from eachother. I also gave the clouds and ground unrealistic textures to add a cartoon like effect. The use of these elements helped me create visual emphasis by making my cartoon drawing stand out.

          I really enjoyed drawing and coming up with an idea for this project. I did not like printing because it took too long and it got boring for me. I was ready to move on. The best part about my piece is that it's my own idea and creation. I will do better next time at improving my skills in all parts.





Brian N.

The assignment for this project was to reflect display conflict within the print. Before I started on this art project, I had to carefully think of what I was passionate about; my decision had to also include something that had conflict but it had to be something that I wanted to carve as well. I came up with my idea by looking through my old sketches and watching TV. I was watching a documentary about ocean pollution while turning through the pages of my sketchbook. Then i saw my old koi fish that i had drawn. I looked at the sketch for a while and i noticed that it had good texture and it could perfectly fit the assignment. The steps in making this work of that was the most important thing to me was expressing my conflict through a slab of linoleum and a carving tool. One part of the process that was a little difficult for me was actually deciding what I wanted to carve. I had many ideas but I just wanted to do something simple and stick with what i’m passionate about.

My conflict is the destruction of marine life. Many marine creatures are being killed by the toxic things humans dump into the river and ocean. This important to me because many living things are being killed because people are too ignorant. I used texture, contrast, balance, line thickness, and shape to emphasize koi. I focused on the koi because it was obviously symbolizing marine life. The significance for the meaning of my work is that beautiful creatures need to be preserved and respected. I really just wanted to show the beauty of a marine creature.

When i was doing my carving, I made sure that my line thickness and space was correct; as well as including texture and balancing the black and white. I also wanted to give the piece a direction or a rhythm by making the lines close together and directional. The use of these element and principles helped me create visual emphasis by showing value and the main focuses in my piece.

I both did and did not enjoy this project. This medium was absolutely painful. I had to carve hundreds of little lines close together which made my arm cry out. I also got a sore neck and back from it too. But i loved how the product turned out and believe it or not a little bit of fun came out of all that pain. I want to improve my carving technique and enhance my line quality. The best part of my piece is definitely the directional rhythm of my piece from all the lines.

Kaitlyn T.

              For this assignment, we were asked to think about a conflict and to illustrate our conflict by creating a relief print.  This project made me think about worldwide conflict.  Therefore the conflict I chose was the effects of pollution on the environment.  Before I started this project, I had to brainstorm ways to represent my conflict.  Brainstorming is the most important part of this project because this is the foundation of the entire project.  Being able to plan out every detail is crucial.  The most difficult part of this project was creating consistent prints.  It takes a lot of practice in order to get an even print.

                My conflict represents the effects of pollution on the environment.  In my print, I have a weeping willow, a smoky factory, and a girl sitting in the field.  I have the willow growing through the road to show how strong the environment is, and I used a weeping willow to represent a depression.  I think this conflict is important because people need to become aware of the choices that they make.  I used pattern and unity to emphasize the tree.  As a whole, the texture throughout the print stays pretty consistent causing a pattern.  Because the tree and field have similar texture, they create unity.  I also used the rule of thirds to create and emphasis on the tree.  I made the tree the focus because the environment is the focus of pollution.  The environment is the reason why we should want to change.

                When I was planning out my print, I made sure that it looked balanced by using the rule of thirds.  I also wanted to make sure the print didn’t have any empty spaces.  Another technique I used was texture.  I wanted my print to look somewhat realistic.  By using these techniques, I was able to create a visual emphasis in making the tree the focal point.  I want the audience to notice the tree the most.

                I really enjoyed doing this project, because it allowed me to be more creative.  The opportunities were endless.  I also enjoyed the print making process.  I want to improve on creating even prints consistently.  I believe the best part about my piece is the theme and how I illustrated my conflict.  Overall, I am happy with how my print turned out.



Dakota M.

This assignment for this project was to use the subject of conflict to create a relief print. It was kind of hard to think of a conflict at first. Before I started this project I made a word map of ideas. I came up with my idea because I thought it would be cool to see a print of Bob. Some important steps of this process were to lay out the pictures so they looked good and fit on the block. A difficult step was to cut out the smaller parts of the print itself without cutting to much off or messing up the design. I overcame these difficulties by cutting slow and carefully.

            My conflict represents all the conflicts that Bob Marley sang and talked about if his music and his everyday life. The main conflict is equality between all humans. The lion and the “Jah Live” represents how you should be able to be different if you want or choose. These themes are important to me because I feel everyone should be treated equal and right. Also, people should be able to choose how they live their life without any say from anyone else.

In my project I used a lot of contrast and nonlinear patterns to really show the outline of Bob and the lion. I used patterns on the side to create a different vibe. Using these elements helped me show the black and white contrast of the image.

 I enjoyed doing this project because I did images that I liked and thought were cool. I didn’t like how hard the board got after a while and how hard it was to carve when it got hard. I want to improve on putting the ink on equally. The best part of my piece is Bob and the lion of Judha.