Show Season

I love art shows, museum exhibitions, and pretty much anything to do with artwork. Even if I don't have work up, I really enjoy going to shows and seeing what other artists are displaying. I'm not saying by any means that I don't like to be in shows - I absolutely love it, who wouldn't? With the show season quickly approaching this year, I've really started to reflect on the pieces I have done this year and which ones I think are the best. I really wish I had more motivation and had produced more pieces this year. I know I did manage to complete a few really good pieces, but I just don't think I have worked up to my potential. With that said, here are a few of my favorite pieces that I would like to be entered into art shows:

87 Boxes - I really enjoy how this piece turned out. I like that it is sculptural, functional, and even considerably comfortable.

Pieces of Time - My other favorite 3D piece is also functional. I think this piece really stands out against my typical 3D work, which is more feminine and nature-like.

Times Square - This semester I have worked a lot with color in my 2D work. This piece really sort of started it, with it's sort of surrealistic feel from all the colors reflected by the lights and water. This is probably one of my favorite photography projects.

Feathered Hair - This portrait shows that experimenting with color I was talking about. I just recently did this self-portrait, and I love how it turned out, I just think it needs a little bit more work.

Sitting Amongst Shoes - Surprisingly, this piece turned out to be one of my favorite pieces in my portfolio. I really surprised myself with how realistic the two heels in the back ended up.






I have a few other pieces in my portfolio that I would also really like to see submitted for shows, but I think these five are a good example of my work. My feelings towards specific pieces changes all the time, one day I like it, and the next day I find something about it that I hate, then go on the next day once again to think, "wow, I really did that?" So, as of this very second, these few pieces are my top choices, but who knows, tomorrow I will probably go back to hating one of them.

I feel like my art work stands out from my peers by the sole fact that it is individualistic and falls under my own style. Everyone in this class seems to have a very unique style, and I don't think there is an easy way of determining who exceeds who, being that we all have our own type of work. I believe that we all are in this portfolio class for a reason - that being the fact that we find a passion for art and excel in our work.

PanPastels!

Today Molly and I went to Webster University for our art portfolio review that determines whether or not we get into the school of art there. I was a little nervous, but I think I feel confident with how it went. Hopefully, by next week or so Molly and I will know, (fingers crossed)! 

Anyways, that's just some boring information, the real content of my blog comes from a different part of our trip  in St. Louis. We were driving along with our little GPS, when we passed this place:

At this point Molly may have yelled out "Artmart," you know, how when you're driving along and you read the signs you pass out loud? It was sort of that type of situation, but that's besides the point. How could we pass up this magnificent find?? We're always tempted by art supply stores, and often time whenever I go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels for something, I end up spending way more money than I had planned. So, we quickly turned around and, as the Garmin freaked out because we weren't following her directions, we made our way to artmart. And, you know, we both just HAD to stop to take a picture of the wall outside. We went inside,  and I sound like a complete art nerd, but this place was wonderful. 

As were were exploring, I came across something called PanPastels. I've never heard of them before, but they sounded interesting.

 

Aren't they so pretty!!

So this is what this interesting new(for me) medium is:

• PanPastel Colors are genuine artists’ quality pastels, uniquely packed in a pan format, available in a range of 60 colors.  PanPastel Colors were developed so that artists can easily lift, apply and control pastel color, just like true painting! The pan format holds the color like paint for easy application. 

Pretty much, it's pastels that are in a little container similar to a make-up compact, that you use little sponges and spongy brushes to apply to pigments. Of course, I wanted these, so I grab one of the kits to check out the price. It was a kit with colors ideal for portraits, including 20 panpastels and a few brushes. It cost $99. Oh No! Why are art supplies so expensive?? I didn't end up purchasing any, but I plan on ordering some, because I really enjoy pastels, and I think these would be really fun to experiment with. (Molly got some, so I may have to be trying them out, seeing as she never would have discovered them without me! ahahaha)