12.16.14: kman

Happy birthday Kardinsky!

Some works of his:

S

12.5.14: finalization

Hello to all.
This is the end of the project. It's arrived.
I'll be frank: I haven't done anything these past few weeks.
Well, no painting at least.

On a brighter note...
Last week I had the opportunity to chat with one of my mentors, Theodore!

(Insert the post about my painting and such)

In the brief 10 minutes that we chatted, I learned that canvases come pre-primed, and that I must be more careful when it comes to trying to maintain an original section after manipulation. 
I really appreciated how he took time to explain the science behind the chipping though. I was about to ask him, "Why? How" and him being amazing, answered with a crafted response. Thanks Theodore!

This is it. I mean, I had hoped to fit in another painting. I planned on outlining something in pencil and then incorporating glitter or other media into the canvas, but with finals, and other tests and projects, there's not time for it. Throughout this semester, I have learned a lot about painting, but I feel that I didn't get to employ my knowledge to its full extent. Perhaps in the near future I can continue this short lived endeavor.
Many thanks for everyone's support in this journey.

S

11.14.14: reflection

Good day mates.

As of today, there's only 3 more weeks left of the project. I know I just started my first painting last week, but I already feel sad about the approaching end. I know, I know... "Why can't you just continue this next semester?" I fear I won't have enough time to do so! In just one painting I have learned much, and with continued practice I know that I would be able to become more skilled at it. I mean, next semester, I plan on enrolling in the Directed Studies class, so maybe I can do it as an extended project and see what I can learn through an onsite mentor (Mrs. Nollner), if she would be willing and able to (macro = ingrained in this brain).
I'd like to thank all the people who have left such sweet, constructive comments on my blog. I would like to take some time to respond to Abi's comment:

I will argue with anyone who says abstract art isn't real art. I'm all about expressing things away from the concrete. I really love that painting with the flowers, and I hope to see more of your work on here. I know the feeling of your artistic energy being burned away by the week. Maybe if you buy the paints, you'll find more time for it? Also, I'd love to read about any particular artists who inspire you, or any trips you make that sort of spark your creativity (I'm always seized by the urge to create after visiting the High). Have you considered experimenting with multimedia, or is the goal mostly painting? With abstract art, anything goes, I suppose, so you might be able or expand this, if not this semester, then someday!

Abi, I see that you asked for any sources of inspiration (trips perhaps to museums or exhibits). I haven't yet gone to the High, but I am always inspired by nature. Waking up so early, I sometimes able to see the beautiful mixed colors in a sunrise. Little things like leaves and the breath that comes out of speaking mouths... little things inspire me. If I carried around a camera all day, I would snap pictures of everything, and I'd maybe come up with 20-30 good pictures. These pictures would be of things that I found interesting or what not... inspiration! Also, I think for this next painting, I will try to experiment with other cool things! I have tons of nail polish bottles that are just laying around and I have millions of little tubes of glitter! I know I'll have fun experimenting with these extra goodies.

But getting to the soul of your question:
No time (or leftover money) for new paints! I have had to ration it by mixing in some water and thinning solutions. Maybe in the future :)
I haven't visited a large museum, but I am inspired by everyday things.
Multimedia: yes, but in the future.

For now, I guess I'll get around to painting some more. My short-term goal is to have another painting done soon!

S

11.7.14: creation

Heulloooooo!

I FINALLY painted something!

Why did I ever think painting would be easy? 

It wasn't.

No, not at all.

First I started off by mixing red and fuchsia, which resulted in a salmon color. I then used the largest angled shader I had and began painting in one corner, starting out with thick lines and then moving to the opposite corner in a curvish fashion. I repeated the same sequence using yellow paint. I then painted the opposite end with electric blue and a dioxide purple, repeating the same extended curves clear to the salmon and yellow part. I kept doing this until I got stuck. At this point, I didn't know where to go, or what to do. I then decided to add in a contrasting color, black. Oohhh... it didn't go as well as I thought it would. I attempted to paint random lines in the middle, and before I knew it, I had spread the black paint all over the canvas. I became frustrated with myself. Why couldn't I do something so simple! It's just paint and canvas, canvas and paint. DING! An idea popped into this brain o' mine and I sprinted to the closest sink to see if I could still salvage my original curves. The black washed off, and the curved lines remained. Aymennn. I then spotted a lovely wine color that was hidden under the table. I had lots of blank white canvas spots, so I decided to try to fill them in with the brushes... and ended up doing the same thing I did with the black paint. As I washed off one spot, I realized that I could possibly make the painting look watercolory. I would only clean off about half of the wine paint. And so it came to be, forming the background that I have now. I left it to dry. I did notice that some of the original paint had begun to chip off in flakes! I have to look into that. About 20 minutes later, I decided to add some contrast, but in a simple way. I grabbed my detail brush and right in the center I began to paint a five-petaled flower. Nothing difficult. I then branched off and continued adding black petals to the outside, gradually increasing in length of the petals. I eventually had to switch out the little detail brush and replaced it with the ole' angular. I kept adding and adding petals. Once the entire flower had been painted, I went back about 10 minutes later to highlight the inside of the flower with lime green and electric blue, the little spark to my painting.

For a first attempt at abstract painting, I think I did pretty good.
Things I have learned overall from this first experience:

1. Take your time. Don't rush. It's a process, not a race.
2. Find something to rub under the paint (like a primer?). The paint will most likely end up flaking off if you just apply the pure pigment to the canvas.
3. Be more flexible with the hands and learn the different ways of the brushes.
4. Don't give up! 

Until next week

S 

11.2.14: motivation

Evening fellow blog readers!

As you all can tell (or maybe not tell), I tend to use more exclamation points when I am in a really good mood (and feeling more positive about this 20% project) as opposed to using periods.
Well, this time around I am feeling pretty good because I bought CANVASES!!! (finally)
I went to Hobby Lobby last Tuesday (it's been a while), and went straight to the canvas section. I have never seen an aisle as white as that one. Me being me, I was immediately drawn to the canvases with the stickers that read "classic" and "fine", but those tended to be the ones that were most expensive. I had to gently scold myself because I am trying to do things on a budget. I had stated in one of my past blogs that I wanted to use larger canvases due to facility, but they were expensive. Realllllllyy expensive. Ain't no high schooler with money to spend just like that. Also, the brushes that I so eagerly went out to buy are pretty tiny. There's no way I can paint on a 48 x 32 with brushes that are the size of my index and middle finger side by side. Instead, I went to the ON-SALE! section that displayed two 16 x 20 canvases for the cheap price of $7.99. With the mighty help of a coupon, I got a 40% discount! (Oh how I LOVE coupons). 

I know, I told myself not to put deadlines on myself, but I need to pick up the slower pace I have carried throughout this time period. I will try to paint something simple on one canvas. And, it's been a while since I've been in touch with my mentors, so I'll try to get a conversation flowing with them sometime this week.

Excited for the mysteries this week holds!

S

PS: This is how my blog looks like in Bosnian! How cool huh?

10.27.14: stagnation (part II)

Good evening everyone.

I have titled this post stagnation (part II) because I am at it again: nothing has occurred this week. Nothing exciting at least. I went to Walmart and saw the pretty colors of acrylics in huge bottles and thought, "If only I had time..." 

AND

it turns out that I actually don't have a blank canvas at home. My sister has used them all for her artsy room decor. You know, middle schoolers being all middle-schooley.

THEREFORE

I need to buy at least one-two blank canvases this week. I'll try to paint on that (hideous) thick paper (that falls apart when I try to remotely blend with my pinky) and just get into that feel for the paint. The deadline is soon approaching.

S

10.17.14: realizations

Hello everyone.

No painting yet.
College applications are the current cause of my daily migraines and have consumed my life morsel by morsel.

I have come to the realization that I shouldn't be "planning" on what day I will paint, and more importantly, I shouldn't be planning what I will paint! The purpose of this project is for me to learn how to paint abstractly AND to learn how to view things above one view point. I feel that I am missing the point of abstract paint: do not think, just do. I think this principle may very well apply to other aspects in life as well. Sometimes we find ourselves in a rut, but by just doing something a little something will react and then that something can possibly turn into something bigger and greater than that original something, you know? (This all makes sense in my head and of course when I try to type it out, it sounds awkward.)

My point is, I will just stop giving myself weekly deadlines. The big deadline isn't until December 5, 2014. That's presentation day. My major, overall goal is to have a few paintings to display. More than one for sure, but if I feel inspiration for only two paintings, I will feel satisfied with myself. I need not pressure myself into painting 6 pieces (like I originally had intended).

Til next week.

S