Rachael Koelker 3D Blog

Friday, September 28, 2018

Memory Drawing

Looking Back on Childhood Memories

Dimensions: 18' X 8.5' In., 12' X 5.5 In., 9.5' X 7' In.

Materials: Lead Pencil, Charcoal, and Indie Ink

Statement:

In class, we first did a blind contour where we had to draw while trying to remember the inside of our childhood home. I chose to draw four rooms that I felt like I remembered the most.

In response, I drew over the pencil markings and drew in more details of what I think the rooms looked like back when I was around the age of five or six.

The lines and proportions of the drawings are not perfect as the memories of my childhood home are not perfect either. The lines and incorrect proportions also reflect as if a child was trying to recreate their home from memory. Charcoal was included to create shades, but just like the lines, the coloring and smudges are all over the place to recreate the feeling that it is a child drawing as children do not maintain inside the lines, they like to think outside the drawing and explore more, just how I was a kid when I would try to explore around my home and area.

Redrawing these rooms brought back memories of events or things that took place in those rooms but similar to the home, none of them are perfect, and some of them seem more detailed than others. These drawings reflect of what I thought my home was when I was a kid and I wanted to capture my younger self with these drawings, taking in the little memories I have left of the house.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Spatial Tape Drawing

Swimming up the Column Waterfall

Materials: Painter's blue tape, Sketchbook paper, blue ink markers

Statement:

The column is located in my parent's home, between the front door and the dining room table.

The piece was inspired by one of the collections my mother has in the home. This collection is her blue and white ceramics pieces, such as vases and plates that are on display throughout the house. I was inspired to create a waterfall scene based on the pieces that were Japanese scenery. The piece was also inspired by my brother's work, where he did tape pieces in his apartment of a map and tree.

The waterfall flows down the column and onto the floor. In the middle, I made the tape come off the trim of the column to appear that the waterfall is falling off the trim. Koi fish swim up the waterfall, to reach the top where a lonely tree stands. The top part is the waterfall coming off a rock cliff while the bottom is a geometric design inspired by the wood on the floor of my home.

Contemporary Drawing Challenge: Transparent

Contemporary Drawing Challenge: Erasing

Contemporary Drawing Challenge: Thread

Contemporary Drawing Challenge: Cardboard

Cardboard Creature Mask

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

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