the real concentration #11

concentration #8

concentration #11 I HATE THIS AND WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT

concentration #10

concentration #9

concentration #7

Concentration Statement Addition

My concentration is based on the process of applying paint, ink, or other mediums to a surface. Through this process I will also incorporate a self portrait I have photographed. I will then work back into the applied medium in order to enhance the emotion I am trying to portray. 

concentration #6

concentration #5

concentration #4

1.What suggestions will you use to demonstrate an obvious and purposeful use of the elements and/or principles? If this project were to be turned in to the College Board today it should be very clear what element or principle of art the work focuses on.
2.How can you create a more engaging design using one or more of the principles of art?
3.Do you feel that your work demonstrates your idea (concept) while also creating an effective design using the elements and principles of art? 
4.What did you try to do to create informed risk-taking within the parameters of the project? Think about what we have studied thus far in the year (this is where the artist should be moving beyond the basic mastery of concept and presenting the idea in a new way to take a risk).
5.Think about your personality and your personal vision for your artwork – what did you try to do that represents who you are through the parameters of this project (structure and the self-portrait)?

I added purple to enhance the other purple that was in my work. This was suggested in the critique. I focused on how I was applying the paint and what I was making through this loose process of applying the paint. I think I mainly focused on value by adding water to make lighter values with the ink and applying the ink straight to the paper to make darker values. Yes, it's a self portrait displaying an emotion. I added the newspaper and text. This was something I haven't tried but I think it makes a cool mechanical design. 

concentration #4

concentration #3

1.What suggestions will you use to demonstrate an obvious and purposeful use of the elements and/or principles? If this project were to be turned in to the College Board today it should be very clear what element or principle of art the work focuses on.
2.How can you create a more engaging design using one or more of the principles of art?
3.Do you feel that your work demonstrates your idea (concept) while also creating an effective design using the elements and principles of art? 
4.What did you try to do to create informed risk-taking within the parameters of the project? Think about what we have studied thus far in the year (this is where the artist should be moving beyond the basic mastery of concept and presenting the idea in a new way to take a risk).
5.Think about your personality and your personal vision for your artwork – what did you try to do that represents who you are through the parameters of this project (structure and the self-portrait)?

I focused on line, texture, and value in this project. I incorporated lines throughout all of the piece. I wish I had not added the purple in the top part. It didn't turn out the way I wanted it. I could add more value shades and textured paper to make it more engaging. Yes it is definitely conceptial. I think it's more then just a bunch of lines because I added the similar self portrait and the paper on top. I added the paper coming out and the self portrait. I think even the different colors together was fairly risky... at least for me. Definitely... it's very loose. I had no idea what I was doing until it was done. It's very spontaneous like all of my other projects.

ye-uh.

ye-uh., originally uploaded by .k.hall..

Please, please, please don't cut part of this off flickr. I made this... I like it, probably cause I like the song.

Concentration #3

amazing.

amazing., originally uploaded by .k.hall..

simply amazing.

it cut my last picture off...

For Anne., originally uploaded by .k.hall..

sad. go to my flickr though www.flickr.com/k_hall7

day fifteen.

day fifteen., originally uploaded by .k.hall..

this is my day fifteen for 365 days for flickr. every time I read that verse I feel renewed. it makes me want to praise God, it's completely how I feel.

everything is gonna be alright

everything is gonna be alright, originally uploaded by .k.hall..

something I should remind myself of often. I should start writing on here more. AP english has drained the life and creativity out of my writing. I can't even remember how to write creatively. I miss Ms. Gibson. This photograph sorta reminds me of my third concentration piece. Vertical, yellow, brownish colored. HMMMMM, where am I going with that painting?

1.What suggestions will you use to demonstrate an obvious and purposeful use of the elements and/or principles? If this project were to be turned in to the College Board today it should be very clear what element or principle of art the work focuses on.
2.How can you create a more engaging design using one or more of the principles of art?
3.Do you feel that your work demonstrates your idea (concept) while also creating an effective design using the elements and principles of art? 
4.What did you try to do to create informed risk-taking within the parameters of the project? Think about what we have studied thus far in the year (this is where the artist should be moving beyond the basic mastery of concept and presenting the idea in a new way to take a risk).
5.Think about your personality and your personal vision for your artwork – what did you try to do that represents who you are through the parameters of this project (structure and the self-portrait)?

For concentration #2

I added my motion images in a specific way to enhance the composition. I also carried out the orange. I could have and should have maybe pushed value more. Most of my colors were all one value shade looking back at my image now. I think shape, line, and my composition is strong in this piece. I think that I pushed my dream like image well through shape and space. I poured paint... enough said. No but I also added lots of different mediums. I used my photographs and my paint and also watercolors. I also drew with charcoal. I think my personality definitely comes through in this piece. It definitely exudes my loose style well. The colors and free motion of it all definitely shows my style.

concentration #2

concentration #1

new concentration idea

- bed spread, sheets

- window curtain

- shower curtain

-paper

- canvas

- trash bag

Concentration #1

I took my classmates suggestions and added the tree above my head. I pushed the elements texture and line. I also had an active grid that was made through my cut up self portrait. Yes- I feel like my art demonstrated my idea and created an effective design using the elements of art. I used risk taking by using a photograph I took. I also tore paper in order to create texture. And I used a lot of the same cool colors which was risky. It demonstrates my personality because there is a picture of me on it and because I think it demonstrates my loose style well.

inspiration...

so I did what you told me to do, Mrs. S-D... I looked up Helen Frankenthaler. I love it, I love all her pieces. It totally reminds me of something I would do or would hope to emulate... fail but try of course. 

this is amazing and inspiring... in fact on my most recent thing that i've started the green in this looks similar to the green in mine.

 

I am hoping to do a citrasolv transfer on top of a self portrait i've taken. We will see.

personal essay I wrote for english...

The reason I post this is because my art collage is about this experience... well not just this one but the whole trip to nyc in general. Part of the art assignment is to have a creative writing part so i will expound upon this trip when I write that. But for the mean time...

Nicholas

His name was Nicholas. And that was all we knew. He had no last name to speak of, just Nicholas. That was all we needed to know, because his spirit told us the rest. Every hardship he had been through, every time he was used, every person who had wronged him; it was all perfectly displayed in his tattered and torn clothing, his rough and filthy skin, and his beaten down yet hopeful gaze. 

It was day four of my first mission trip to New York City. The first few days my youth group had spent time feeding the hungry, putting up prayer stations in rough neighborhoods such as Harlem and the Bronx, and doing other various evangelistic projects. It had been an intense week full of growth, but I still felt awkward and shy in sharing my faith with people. I had witnessed my friends experience break through moments and life changing interactions with people, but I had still not felt something really significant happen to me. On this particular day we were going to participate in something called “The Five Dollar Challenge”. We were going to be given five dollars per group and sent off to a park where many young adults lived. We were supposed to take the five dollars and walk around the park and pray that God would lead us to the right homeless person. Once we felt like He did we were to offer the homeless person food or something that they needed and purchase it with the five dollars. This park had a notorious section where all of the young people lived. It was where they did drugs, got drunk, slept, and hung out. We were supposed to target that area and approach one of those kids. The idea was daunting and I was scared out of my wits. With little faith in my ability to approach someone, my group and I went on our way in search for someone to help.

I remember walking over to the area and being at a loss for words. There were probably 30 kids ranging from ages 18 to 25. What struck me the most was that they all had similar clothing on that consisted of ripped canvas shirts, leather, and combat boots. Many of the kids had long dreads in their hair. It looked almost like a cult because of the similarities in their outfits. Lots of them had cats on leases. They had homemade tattoos that they used needles and India ink to make. They wore upside down crosses and anarchy symbols around their necks. It was clear that a sheltered girl like me who walked up in nice clothing was in the wrong place. 

It wasn’t long until a guy who looked to be around 20 approached me and my group members (Lindley, Chelsea, and our youth group leader Gene). The guy asked if any of us had a cigarette and from there the five of us began a conversation. We talked about all sorts of things ranging from religion to ice cream. Nicholas broke every stereotype and preconceived notion we had about him. He wasn’t begging for money as we talked to him, but rather he was having a real conversation with us. I remember feeling shocked and blessed that this guy would pay us the time of day. We were sheltered and well feed. We had homes and money. It was easy for us to come into this park for a few hours and act like we cared about these people. Nicholas didn’t feel this way about us. He saw the sincerity in our spirits. He was genuinely happy to converse with us and he proved to be an incredibly intelligent individual. As the conversation continued we decided it was time to offer him the money and from there we decided to walk to a restaurant. We found a place that was serving Borsch soup, which happen to be one of Nicholas’ favorites. He was proud of his Russian heritage and was actually fluent in Russian. The authentic Russian soup thrilled him. Sitting in that little café, I looked at him in wonderment. “How did a seemingly ‘together’ individual end up in such a bad place?” I thought. Nicholas told us we could ask him anything so I decided to build up my courage and ask him what had happen and how he ended up homeless and hoping freight trains with no destination in mind. “Nicholas?” I slowly began to try and put my words and thoughts together in a way that I wouldn’t offend him, “So… What… happened? I mean, I mean how did you end up… uh…” “How did I end up homeless and a loser?” He joked as he completely read my mind and took away the embarrassment and awkwardness I was feeling. “I guess so?” I nervously laughed. Nicholas then explained to me his life story in a short twenty minutes. He went to college, Virginia Commonwealth, he started using every drug known to man (you name it he used it), he ended up in bad relationships, his mother died of cancer and he used a lot of the money she left on drugs, and he lost control of his life. He became dependent on the drugs and apathetic about school, jobs, friends, and family. He ended up dropping out of school and ran out of money and his only option was to become homeless. He then showed me a homemade tattoo on his arm. It said “Kristen”. He explained that Kristen was his girlfriend and that they were in love, but he ruined things with the drugs and when he dropped out of school he lost touch with her. Sadness consumed his eyes when he talked about her. In that moment I could tell that he really loved, cared, and missed this girl. The emotion he showed made me realize how much I related with this guy. He wasn’t just some bum on the streets of New York City. He was a person with real feelings and thoughts. He wanted the same things I wanted. He didn’t choose to live on the streets. He only got wrapped up in the wrong things and never got lucky like the rest of us who made it out of our bad decision seemingly okay. We all make and have made horrible choices, but Nicholas got unlucky and never escaped them. Our lunch soon ended and we began to walk back toward the park. As we continued to talk about random things, I soon realized we still hadn’t “ministered” to him. We hadn’t asked him to become a Christian or pray or anything. But maybe this was us ministering in another way? As we reached the edge of the park I felt sad for Nicholas. It was like he had to step back into reality, but his reality consisted of nothing; no home, no real friends, no food. Being the reliable youth leader that he is, Gene asked Nicholas if there was anything for which he needed prayer. Nicholas said that instead he wanted us to pray together and for each other. “It’s a tough life and you guys need prayer just as much as I do,” he told us with a smile. So we did, right there on the sidewalk the five of us stood with our fingers linked and we prayed. We prayed for Nicholas and we prayed for each other. We thanked God for our encounter with Nicholas. We told Nicholas that he had taught us more than we taught him. He thanked us for talking and really talking to him and listening to him. He said it was refreshing to have people in their “right minds” talk and listen to him instead of just other homeless people. As we were about to depart and the rain that had been holding back all day began to slowly drop onto the pavement, Nicholas turned and looked at us. “I love you guys,” he said with sadness and happiness all in the same breath. And as he walked away I began to sob, because in that very moment I felt something real in my life. I felt something beyond clothes and material objects. It was a feeling much bigger than anything I had felt before. I felt I had made an impact on another person’s life. He genuinely loved us. It was so moving that tears poured down my face in unison with the raindrops. It was something so poetic. It was a total God moment; something far out of my control. I knew in that moment that I had helped someone and changed someone’s life and that my life had also been changed. 

Nicholas continues to impact my day-to-day life, which is something he will probably never know. In one respect I saw the effect that drugs have on an individual. I saw so many of my friends in Nicholas. Just because they may not be using drugs to his extent doesn’t mean they won’t or can’t. One thing leads to another and one bad decision can drastically change your whole life. Nicholas also showed me the power of conversation. We take for granted the impact we can have on people just by giving them the time of day. Everyone deserves to be heard and simply talking to people gives them that chance. I am obsessed and infatuated with the thought that I could impact another human being. That has always been something that thrills me. That is why I write and do art, because it’s a direct way of impacting someone. Therefore knowing that I impacted Nicholas gives me goose bumps even today. The last thing Nicholas taught me and I continue to practice is empathy. Empathy is one of those things that if everyone had a little bit more of the world would be a better place to live. With the understanding of other’s situations, comes patience and acceptance. The old me would have discounted Nicholas’ worth. It’s easy to be selfish and ignorant when it comes to other people. When we don’t take into account other people’s situations, we miss the beauty of growing and learning by talking to different types of people. The amount of knowledge we can glean from other people’s situations is immeasurable. It’s something no book or teacher can teach us. When I was forced to ignore my self-centeredness and my ignorance and actually “get my hands dirty” and speak to people out of my comfort zone, I met the most beautiful human being. Someone who taught me that everyone deserves a second chance and that not every situation is as it seems. People are too important to give up on. Everyone has something to offer and until we realize that we will continue to live in an ignorant world. I pray everyday that Nicholas will figure things out and find a home and a job. I may never know what happened to Nicholas, but I know because I met him I will never be the same girl that I was before. 

hmmmm

hmmmm, originally uploaded by .k.hall..

so even though the purpose of this blog is for my ap art class and the concentration and all, I am going to still put up a lot of my photographs. Hope you don't mind mrs. s-d :)

picz.

various pictures from my flickr. www.flickr.com/k_hall7

hello.

Artist Statement

Throughout my life, art has always been a constant. It has always been something significant to me even at a young age when I had no real concept of what art was. Even though art is an immutable part of my life, by the same respect it is always changing. My style has developed, my taste has changed, and my medium of choice has shifted. Sometimes I use art as entertainment, sometimes I use art to express my mood and emotions, sometimes I do art when I am completely inspired, and other times I do art when I am completely uninspired. It is something that has captivated and mesmerized me my whole life. 

When deciding what I would choose for my concentration idea, I evaluated all of the different types of art and subject matter I was drawn to. I decided that I would focus on dream like images. After searching through my photo imagery, I noticed a common thread throughout all of the photographs. They all tended to evoke a dreamy feel. When I looked through my other pieces of art, I noticed that I was drawn to abstract, vague, imaginary, and whimsical images. I love marbleized paper and the process of drawing back onto the paper. I love photo transfers that leave traces of the image on the paper. When I found that I was captivated by this type of imagery, I knew my concentration would be dream like images. 

I hope that through my images, I will inspire people to interpret art freely. I think through the dream like images, there is a lot left up to the imagination. People are able to define their own meaning and purpose to my art. That is part of the beauty of art. It's free and it's open. 

ROUGH DRAFT, very rough.