Masked Identity

 

 

Masked Identity

A Quiet Soul

Materials: Cardboard, wire, black tape, sealing glue, hot glue, fabric

Dimensions: 18 in. X 20 in. X 5.25 in.

Artist Statement:

The main structure of this piece is the shape of a sheep skull. My name, Rachael, is translated to mean “ewe,” which is another word used for a female sheep. I can relate to being a sheep as I find the creature to be quiet and sensitive to me. I do not like to make a big commotion, but if I get stressed out to a point, then that is when I will release my loud voice and disturb the peace. Similar to how a sheep is only quiet until they are in danger, where they will cry out. While I also find sheep to be sensitive because of their timid nature and gentle looks. I am a sensible person, I try my best to toughen up, but it is hard for me to be strong when I hurt someone else feelings or see someone else in pain. Being sensible has its positives and negatives, it just depends how you use it.

I made it the skull of the sheep because of my interest in collecting animal remains such as bones and furs. I would not define myself to be a morbid person, as I am someone who always wants to look on the bright and lively side of life. But the idea of skulls and death have always poked at my interests. As someone who believes in God, I do always wonder “where will we go when we are done in this realm?” I always seem to come up with fantasy ideas of what the afterlife could be. Its one of the many ways where I can express my original ideas and stories, one of the few things that classify me as an artist.

I stick with the color black for the mask because it’s the color that sticks out the least to me. Usually, black is used to outline what you want to see pop, but when it is alone, it looks like it disappears into a void. The black color hides me as I am an awkward introvert, who does not like to show off or be noticed. I’ll only show my true self if I let you in, so only when the mask comes off you will get to see who I really am. I try my best to come out of the mask and associate myself with others, but I always return back to my mask. There are times when I feel like it is all right to speak, and other times, I do not feel like speaking at all.

To hide from the outside world, I covered the inside and back with fabric fur. I wanted to make sure none of my face or head was visual while wearing the mask. The fabric fur acts as a comfort for me. Having something warm and soft against my face or body relieves me of my stress and worries. The fur can also muffle sound, making it hard for me to hear any noises outside. I do not enjoy loud noises as it can break not concentration or interfere with the sounds in my head. I like the quiet because it lets me think. It lets me be able to hear my own thoughts inside my head which can help me control my feelings and stay calm.

 

Process Photos

 

Research Artists/Inspirations

 

Gladys Paulus

 

http://www.gladyspaulus.co.uk/gallery-2/

Craig Green

 

https://craig-green.com/

Nick Cave

 

http://www.jackshainman.com/artists/nick-cave/

 

  

3D to 2D

3D to 2D

Creature Cave

Program: MediBang Paint Pro

Size: 31.3 in. X 31.1 in.

Artist Statement:

I manipulated one of the final photos of my memento piece to create this imagery. I took out the center of the memento piece and then copied it at least five times, resizing and pasting it over the next one. Until eventually I got the design of what appears to look like the inside of a tunnel or cave. I started to add monster designs between the layers of the memento to make it appear that the cave is full of monsters who are hiding and waiting to attack. I drew out an end to the "tunnel," making it appear that light is shining through an opening. Lastly, I put up a layer of color that was turned on "multiply," to not only make the cave seem darker but to also bring out the details in the wood of the memento piece.

I really wanted to add my own touch of what I am interested in by designing creatures to go along with it. I am generally a cartoonist and I love to create character concepts. I also love the idea of mysterious or abandoned places that seem to go unnoticed by people, especially old buildings and natural formations such as caves.

Process Photos

Memento

Memento

Materials: Wood, Beeswax Wood Preserver

Dimensions: 3.75 in. X 3.75 in. X 1.25 in.

Artist Statement:
 This piece represents a trip to a particular place where it is not really allowed to be able to take any souvenirs home from it. The summer after my graduation, my family and I went on a trip to the Grand Canyons along with some other destinations. At the time, I was not really big on the trip idea. It was just after graduation, we were flying which I don't like, and we were going to do big hiking trails which I'm not a fan of either. But, in the end, it ended up being one my famous vacations, particularly because of the Zion River Trail.
One of the last big trails we did before we went back home was the Zion River Trail. A massive trail that isn't actually a trail, but a river that you hike through. The trail had no ends, it is not a loop or circle, it is just a continuous river. What made this trail so memorable for me was that it was probably one of the first trails I truly enjoyed. Other trails beforehand I was taking with shoes that ended up being too small for my feet and made them unbearable to walk on. Here at the river trail, I didn't have to worry about the tightness of my shoes as my feet were just being soaked in cool refreshing water. Another great thing about the trail was that even though it was really hot out, you didn't feel hot at all when you were standing in 60 degrees water. The trail was crowded with other people, but it did not take away from the beauty and sounds of nature that still surrounded me.
In the end, however, we had to make out way back fast as I was the only one whose legs were breaking out in hives. Even if we had to leave, it was still by far the best thing about that whole trip.
I wanted to make something that represented the canyon we were in, where it was deep and carved out by the river. In the center, a hole was cut out to show another piece of wood that was poked by a nail to represent the texture of goosebumps or hives I received from the trail. I wanted it to be a little part of the rest of the piece because the trail still defeats the memory of getting hives while on the trail. I hope to one day return to Zion Canyon and revisit this trail once more.

Process Photos

Research Artists 

Joan Lurie

 

 http://www.joanlurie.com/portfolio/2015/web83.jpg.php

Anthony Roussel

 

 http://anthonyrousseljewellery.tumblr.com/post/100985228202

Carrie Dickens

http://www.carriedickens.com/#/homehere/

Floating Architecture

 

Floating Architecture

The White Palace

Materials: Gummed Paper Tape, Cardboard, Masking Tape, Spray Paint, Hot Glue

Dimensions: 1"10' in. X 3"1' in. X 0"10 in.

Artist Statement:

For my floating architecture piece, I took inspiration from the architecture periods of Asian and the Renaissance. Both of these forms of architecture use the similarities of being clean, smooth, repetitive, and having a uniform and symmetrical styles. To incorporate these styles, I wanted to keep the structure symmetrical. The curving part and top part of the structure was inspired by the roof style of Asian architecture, where they're curved and usually are decorated with small structures such as designs or statues. The triangle patterns were inspired by the designs of both Asian and Renaissance, having repetitive patterns in their designs. The color of white represents the cleanness of both architectures but also how the Renaissance style mostly used white because it reflected light and made everything glow in a "holy" light.

I called the piece, "White Palace," because it reminds me of a fantasy white castle that you could find floating in the sky.

Process Photos

 Research Artists

Nina Lindgren

https://ninalindgren.se/art/floating-city

Daniel Agdag

 http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2016/02/daniel-agdag-cardboard-sculptures/

Francesco Romoli

http://www.russelaid.com/imaginary.htm