Happy Anniversary

"Happy Anniversary", original photographs
I was asked by my friend, Becca, to shoot a series of portraits of her and her
sisters as a surprise for her parent's anniversary.

These are the group photographs, plus some sentimental graphics. 

It was a joy, and here is my artist's statement for it (addressed to their parents).

Becca approached me about creating a surprise for your Anniversary. She and her sisters decided that they wanted to pose in a series of photographs, in order to show you how much they love your dedication to each other and to family. After talking to Becca, I decided that I wanted to help collaborate with her and her sisters to create a keep sake that you two and the whole family could have for years to come.

Through the photo shoot, Becca, Laura, Michelle, Jessica and I were hoping to surprise you two. I have known Becca for a few years now, and meeting and working with Laura, Michelle, and Jessica as well was an amazing experience. I decided that I wanted to come as close as I could to capturing the girls’ appreciation, love and dedication to you two through this series of photographs. Originally, we had decided to stage the photo shoot at Dan Daniels Park because of the natural scenery. However, the day we chose to do the photo shoot ended up bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms. We then decided to move the location to downtown because of shelter, in case of more showers. This ended up being a wonderful choice, as downtown has been a long-time symbol of history, loyalty, and appreciation. I realized afterward that downtown was a great parallel for a successful relationship because as you two know, a solid relationship requires a strong history with each other, unwavering loyalty, and appreciation and love. We used several locations for the photo shoot: the train yard, around the Science Museum, and Down Town doors. I wanted to frame the girls to create a simple photograph, so they could show their love and appreciation for you two. It was their idea to keep the photographs in color, and they are all unedited. I kept them unedited because I felt that reflected the genuine quality of the girls and of your family.

Layers

"Layers", ink, photographs, digital effects
This is a piece that I created from "Rj's Surprise". I decided to use the original sketch for this piece. Behind the sketch of us is a series of pictures in black & white. I created this because I truly love creating and love to be with Rj.

Me and Marilyn.

"Me and Marilyn". Original Photography, digital effects.
After watching the movie, My Week with Marilyn, I was inspired to create a piece dedicated to her influential role in my life. Now, this should be known: I have always been a Marilyn Monroe fan; this movie just made me realize that I should dedicate a piece to her. I first remember seeing Marilyn on a wine bottle label in house growing up. I instantly thought she was beautiful, and felt like there was something behind her beauty that was even more profound. Throughout high school, I collected pictures of Marilyn off the internet, and started reading about her life. I feel like she was an inspirational female actor, whose complexity and simplicity mix to make her very mysterious. I have read about pieces of her life, and I am currently reading a book about her. I feel like I have several connecting points with Marilyn, which explains why I was initially curious about her and interested in her life. Although Marilyn is not on this earth anymore, she is definitely still very alive.

A Continuation of Katie

This is a continuation of my earlier series of the most fun model, Katie. {:

Colour & Space: A New Series

Colour & Space Series original photography, graphic design
(T-B: Katie (awaiting title, ideas?), self-portrait, "The Innovator with Lana Del Rey"
Hey all you kittens! I know it's been a while since I've posted some art...but, stay assured, I have been busy creating it! The title is to-be-determined as of now because I have just started this series. However, I can tell you my inspiration that sparked this series: this series, like the pieces themselves, are a collection of several different concepts. Upon studying colour theory, my professor had the class watch scenes from Fantasia (still one of my favourite movies to this day). I was really inspired by Walt Disney's colour palette and selection-rewatching scenes from this movie reminded me what a masterpiece the movie was, and how much I have missed viewing it. This series has also been sparked due to the music I have been listening to-specifially Lana Del Rey (thank you Rashawn for introducing her to me!). I feel that her music is very layered-as my art work usually turns out to be. I am also aiming to better my skills of using space and perception in my works (studying this unit in class, now). And for now, that'll do, Pig.

19.

"19.", photograph taken by Charles Schwarz, digital effects done by yours truly.
This is a photograph that my brother took on my 19th birthday of my boyfriend (Rj) and me. To me, this photograph captures the essence of the night, and the excitement. I decided that turning the photograph achromatic would specifically pinpoint the candidness and the emotion of the moment. I hope everyone finds consolation and love to the extent that I have found in Rj. <3 And since I am feeling sentimental-I would like to take this time to thank all of the people who have come and gone in my life-I will remember you all. I cherish the ups and downs and all of the memories I have formed with each person in my life...and I the lessons I have learned will be in my mind forever. Thank you all for passing through my life...and a special thanks to the ones who have stayed. {:

Series of Hunter

"Series of Hunter in the Fall of 2011", original photographs (untouched)
This is my roommate, Hunter. I have mentioned her earlier on my blog when I did a portrait of her out of cotton and denim. We went out with two other students to take portraits around the Lynchburg College Campus. Anyone who hasn't visited-should. Especially if you're into nature and outdoorsy activities. 

Lost, partner art

"Lost" Partner art; original photographs, digital effects.
I've heard that young artists often spend their early years in art creating self-portraits. I can say that I definitely have done quite a few (as I'm sure you have noticed...:P). I have just generally found that using myself as a subject for my art is convenient, for starters-because you already have consent. But, on a deeper level, self-portraits are so much more than convenient-they are a way of figuring out who I am and expressively documenting who I am at that moment in time...which seems is always changing...

Vibrant Rose

"Vibrant Rose", original photograph, digital effects.
This photograph was inspired by a rose that was given to me a while ago. I took many photographs of it, and decided that I would hang it to dry. I took photographs of it as it aged. I decided to go back to one of the first photographs I took of it, and use it to reflect how this rose made me feel when it was first given to me.

Good job, Martha Alf

"A Piece of Soul Escaped with studies of Martha Alf", original photography, digital effects, original drawings.
This piece was inspired by the song, "Sleeping with Giants" by the Academy Is...There is a line, in specific, that states, "A piece of my soul escaped", and I what it would look like if a piece of my soul did escape-and this is the product! And thank you to South Park, for making this art piece strictly ironic (for those of you who do not know, South Park made an episode on Gingers, and said they do not have souls, so many people would jokingly argue that I have no soul for it to actually escape...). I love working in layers, and I decided to include  a series of thumbnails that I drew in a Martha Alf study I did for drawing class. I included them because I have always loved to draw, and wanted to show that I am currently studying how to better my techniques and my dedication to art. If you look closely, you can see parts of still lives that I replicated from her drawings...more power to Martha Alf for making fruit and everyday objects interesting (because I certainly have almost no desire for capturing the essence of a tomato...:P). As for the rest of the elements in the piece...I'll leave it up to your imagination. ;)

20+ hours later...

 "Mirrored Memories", original photo collage-photos taken by yours truly.
My mom and I collaborated on this item that we made for the annual auction that Sacred Heart School holds every year. Every year, each teacher is required to come up with an original auction item. We originally were going to make a photo collage wreath of the students in her class. However, my mom had the idea of giving it a more utilitarian aspect, as well. She wanted the piece to be decorative, but also serve a purpose. My mom picked out a mirror that had a wooden frame with French curve cut outs. We arranged the photos that I had taken and editted over the course of the week on the frame. I then proceeded to spend 20+ hours cutting out every French curve. 2 Xacto knife blades and 2 sore arms later...voila! Ha ha...sounds easier than it was, but the hard work paid off-the mirror sold for $210.00! As an alumni of Sacred Heart, I was glad to contribute to the school's benefit, and it was wonderful working with my mom. Our collaboration was a success. ;)

Valentine's Day

"Suga, Suga", original digital photography, digital effects
This photo collage was named after an inside joke that Hunter and Cole have together (Title credited to musicians Babie Bash & Frankie J). I created this piece in honour of Valentine's Day and to show that there is genuine love in the world. The couple's chemistry is evident on camera, which makes them a great couple to photograph. Often, it's hard to photograph more than one person because there are so many more variables that go into the composition. However, Cole and Hunter are a pleasure to photograph because they are both naturals in front of the lens-and even more so because of how they "click." O, shout out to Cole and Hunter-thanks for all the awesome weekends...looking forward to many more. XD By the way, the quote at the top is credited to Audrey Hepburn.

More Katie

 "Katie", original photograph series
This is my second post of photographs that I took of Katie...all of these are unedited. {:

Love you, Mom

"Young Adulthood", original photograph with digital effects
Just having fun with this photograph, instead of doing other things that are productive...
I decided to title this one, "Young Adulthood" because it was inspired by a graphic in the Wall Street Journal. It was a comical picture of a teenager's brain, that I found very funny and accurate in a strange way. The article was about all of the things that occupy a teenager's mind, and the picture showed words, such as: "Angst", "Vroooom", and "Heartbreak". I decided to piece together my face in different values and colours (with different proportions) to show how this is such a transitional time in my life. It is a transitional time in many teenager's lives (and all young adults, too)-I wanted to portray the different sides of me that may develop or happen to be an influential part of who I am now. As for the background....that's ,"City-Scape Puddle Reflection" (thank you, Mom for helping me title it!).

City-Scape Puddle Reflection

"City-Scape Puddle Reflection",acrylics on canvas
So...using the palette knife was awesome! This painting was the first time I used my palette knives, and it was so much fun. This painting took me three stages to complete. The goal for this painting was 1. to explore the texture effects that acrylics can create, and 2. to have fun. I had considered using Gesso to amplify the textural effects, but, instead, I decided to apply the paint in layers. My art teacher pointed out that I like working in layers. This isn't really something that I noticed until I stepped back and look at many of my works in a row. Intriguing? Seems so. Hope you guys enjoy this piece (I know I enjoyed making it...and having a mini photo shoot with it :P). Peace.

Dancing through time

 Dance Studio Series, original photographs.
These are just a few moments that I captured with my D3100 while I was in the studio with some dancers from LC. I really enjoyed working with all the dancers-they were all very photogenic and talented. Top to Bottom: "Secrets", "Paris", "Criss-Cross", "Vinny". Shout out to Jen, Paris, and Vinny for letting me photograph their dance session. Keep on dancing-it's captivating.

(I miss You)

"Distraction", original photo with digital effects.
 Yea, plaid rocks. Hunter-you know it's not real flannel...but maybe one day I will own real flannel. {: This is a photograph that I took in the middle of a homework marathon. One of the best things that experience and my family has taught me is that it's okay to take breaks. I used to work for hours and hours on end without a break, and didn't realize how I was running my self down. I do still work very hard, and still let my work ethic overcome my relaxation time, but it's something I'm working on...the beautiful thing about life i that you always have a chance to do better. This is just a record of me trying to do better...and allowing myself to be distracted, if not, procrastinate in the healthiest way possible. Love you, Family, and you, too Poppy in heaven (I miss you).

Doin' Me...?

"Self-Titled", original photograph with digital effects
This is a photograph if my friend, Cookie's (aka: Cookie MonMon) shirt (absolutely love the shirt slogan...). I applied digital graffiti over the photograph I took. Many people laugh when they see this piece because the whole, "doing me"-along the lines is a common slogan in pop culture to celebrate being single. However, I have heard so many people say, "I'm doin' me", but they're always talking about dating someone new or hung up on someone. I have met only a few people my age that are truly content being single. So this is just a parody on those who would love to just do themselves, but subconsciously end up doing just that last. :P Oh, by the way, this is his first rap track, check it out, http://soundcloud.com/dtwashi/suck-me-off?utm_campagin=timeline&utm_content=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fdtwashi%2Fsuck-me-off&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=soundcloud?facebook_banner=1