2D Final

For my 2D Design class we were free to choose whatever we wanted to do. There was one criteria, or two. One is that we had to go to the univeristies art museum and find inspiration. So I picked a Japanese woodblock print. I've never done a woodblock and wasn't sure if my teacher would let me, but to my surprise he did. So, he lent me some tools, and took me over to the printing room where a print teacher hooked me up with a really nice carving tool and a linoleum board.

So this is my very first attempt of a woodblock print. It's one foot by two feet. To be honest, I wanted it to be twice the size, maybe triple but I couldn't find a cheap enough piece. I just got done carving the thing and took a picture with my phone. Usually, when I do art I like to plug earphones in my ears and go far away, but for this project I found myself falling in love with the sound of the tool carving out the wood. I wish I could type the sound onto this blog. kirrrgghhh kirrrrrrggghhh. Holy shiz, it is beautiful! I also really enjoyed the virabration the tool made when it sliced through the flesh of the board. Maybe woodblocking is my thing :) (?)

I want to make a series of six different faces, at least. But it's due next Friday, so I know I won't be able to do it but maybe I can do at least one more.

I'm planning on printing it on mulberry paper, and water colouring red on his face to make it look more like kabuki. Kabuki (歌舞伎, kabuki) is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers (Wikipedia). My mom likes taking my grandma to watch Kabuki. It's their thing. I've never actually seen it in person, but I've seen parts of it on TV. It's very beautiful but can be extremely boring. They move super slow and the singing is monotonous. I bet you could check some vids out on youtube. And when I say "you" I mean blogger.com, because I don't really know anyone who actually reads this blog.

self portrait

My Drawing 2 teacher assigned us to do a self portrait. I don't think I have ever tried to draw myself realistically. I look ten years older and Mexican - not half Japanese, half Americano - but it's a good start.

Ah yes. I recently found out I got accepted into the art program at my university. They only accept 40 students so I am really grateful for the opportunity. As I was waiting for the art programs response I started doubting that I would ever get in. All I had to turn in as my portfolio were mostly sketches because they wanted pieces that were done within the last two years. The last two years I've been doing volunteer work/not doing art. So I was super excited when I found out I got in!

A drawing.

My final drawing last semester, done in pencil. The assignment was to incorporate vanitas and trompe l'oeil. My inspiration was the traditional Japanese woodblock prints.

Stina Persson

One day, about six or seven years ago, I was roaming around a book store in Japan when I came across a big, white, fat book of Stina Persson's work. It simply amazed me and I've been in love with her stuff since.