Innocence

                                                                      

Innocence

Description
This painting was made using India ink and brewed tea as painting mediums. It is an emotional portrait with both abstract and realistic styles combined. The colors are simple black India ink and brewed tea. The India ink was diluted in various degrees to achieve a variety of shades. The canvas was saturated with tea and ink was systematically dropped onto the wet canvas to achieve the desired effects.

Analysis
 Overall the picture appears symmetrical and balanced. The design element of rhythm is used throughout. As ink was applied to the canvas, it took on its own life with a uniquely natural rhythm of wavy and zigzagging lines as it spread over the wet canvas. The pattern of the blending ink dances around the face of the portrait creating a sense of turmoil. In other areas of the canvas, the ink flows downward like hair with each strand finding its own path creating a somber weeping mood. Subtle downward tracks below the eyes further add to this mood.

Interpretation
I believe that the tittle fits the picture as the young lady (an image go my wife at 19) appears to be appears to be in a melancholy mood. The pupils of the eyes are halfway covered by the upper eyelids with just enough of a window to allow a glimpse into her troubled soul.

Judgement
I believe that this painting has captured the emotional tone of sadness, something that I have struggled with portraying in my previous paintings. My wife did not know that I was painting the painting and cried when she first saw it.

Pattern Portrait

Maori Warrior

This painting of a Maori Warrior from New Zealand was painted using acrylics. The portrait uses the design principles of balance and pattern. Pattern is achieved in the symmetrical face tattoo of the warrior. 

Metamorphosis Painting

A Child's View of War

This painting is an abstract of how a child might see war, especially one who has lived in a war zone. The  tank is undergoing a metamorphosis into a prehistoric rhinoceros. It was painted with acrylics using the 12 colors of the color wheel, the 12 colors lightened, and the 12 colors darkened for a total of 36 colors. The principles of design used in this painting include balance, proportion and variety.

Scratchboard Tree

This scratchboard tree artwork encompasses the design elements of  texture and balance. The three scratchboards are placed symmetrically in a diagonal manner into a textured tree base that has been sculpted with Apoxiesculp.

Symmetrical Tree Painting

This tree painting uses the design elements of Balance and texture. The tree is textured using Apoxiesculp. The tree is placed symmetrically in the center of the painting.

Analogous Asymmetrical Painting

This textured tree painting uses the design elements of balance and texture. The trees are set asymmetrically to one side. To achieve balance clouds were added to opposite side. Apoxiesculp two-part resin was used to sculpt textured trees and clouds. The artwork was painted in analogous colors.

Branches and Roots Copper Etching

This is a an etching of a tree embedded in a textured tree with branches and roots background. The design elements of texture and balance are used in this design. Texture is achieved by sculpting a background of branches and roots with Apoxiesculp two-part resin. Balance is achieved by placing the etched plate in the center of a symmetrically balanced tree.

Variety Relief Painting

This is a relief painting using the design elements of variety and texture. The light side of each tree is painted in a variety of rainbow colors while the shaded side of the trees remain a dark shade.  The texture is achieved by using Apoxiesculp two-part resin as a sculpting medium.

Unity Relief Painting

This is a relief painting that using unity as a principle of design. I used Apoxiesculp to form the trees and base and painted it greyscale with acrylics.

Gristle Underpainting with Color Glaze

This is a value painting using the Grisalle method by applying a grey scale underpainting with enhanced values and adding a color glaze.

First Abstract Painting

                                                                     The Sun's Embrace



Description
This painting uses geometric shapes brought together in abstract. When I look at the painting, I see the sun embracing the moon with its rays. The black background gives the sense of deep space, while the white rays of the sun light up three quarters of the moon.

Analysis
The painting uses several elements of art. The shapes are 3-D and geometric, while the form is flat. There are clear, crisp lines used throughout. There are also implied lines going through the moon's circular image. Overall the picture appears balanced. The colors are simple black and white with a small gray portion to represent shadow.

Interpretation
I believe that the tittle fits the picture as the sun's rays appear to envelope the moon. The black background without borders gives the feeling of infinity with the depth of an endless space. The color choices are simple and appropriate for the feeling of dark endless space lit up by a powerful sun. The choice of acrylics in both semigloss and matt added an interesting contrast. I believe the date of this painting is best understood in the 20th and 21st centuries. I don't believe the painting would be understood any earlier.

Judgement
I believe that others will see this work as simple and not as elaborate as many abstracts. If I owned this painting, it would best be displayed in home with modern architecture and furnishings. It might seem a little out of place in Tuscan, Spanish, or early American setting. I will remember this painting as my first attempt at abstract art.