PERSONAL
Just for Fun – Personal Works
Mixed Media
Can you guess what this piece is? Is it really a completely abstract piece?
This is the pattern of the Tango Romantica, a diamond dance in ice dancing. It was one of my favourite set pattern dances.
I used charcoal and drip paint for this. The darkened areas on various curves show the key elements in the dance and the deep curves and edges required.
As I transitioned out of the competitive world of figure skating I focused on my art. I love the contrast of clean lines and perfectly realistic shapes against a messy, bright, stained background. I feel like the juxtaposition I created here is a reflection of the sport. Just like the title says, it’s messy yet beautiful.
Medium: acrylic paint and cherry pie filling on canvas paper.
The Shoe, The Child’s Dress, Full of Expressions . . . while I wasn’t the biggest fan of abstract art at first (my need for perfection taking over any possible enjoyment or understanding of it), over time and through various obstacles and identity crises, I learned to appreciate it. I also realized I actually had an inclination for it. The abstract work I’ve done make up some of my most unique art pieces. I now enjoy the process. Who knew abstract art could become therapeutic for a perfectionist?
Here are the abstract pieces mentioned above.
This was a fun one!
Medium: Acrylic paint on wood, hot glue.
Process: I did a small version of this in a sketchbook before starting the main piece. After that I sketched out the piece on the square wooden board. Next I used a drummel to carve grooves. I painted with acrylics the entire piece. This was followed by adding hot glue to the areas that I carved out.
I plan for this piece to be part of a series. I enjoyed making it and using different techniques. I would like to create more planets on wood in a similar composition while continuing to experiment with different techniques according to the look of the particular planet. This will be an ongoing project.
SKETCHING
Series 01: “Why am I taking a Theories of Society class?”
I spent so much time during school (high school and University) drawing during class. In University I decided it was time to stop doodling all over my lined papers where notes should be going. So I got myself a mini pocket-sized sketchbook that I brought to class. While this would make sense if I had been studying Fine Art and in a drawing class, it was perhaps a little more unconventional for a Sociology major in a Theories of Society class. Never the less, I had a wonderful time!
Here are some pieces from the book.
An End to a Story
This piece was one I truly created for myself. I determined what elements I wanted to be included and then flowed them together. It is an expression of a moment in time when I was picking up the pieces of an ended dream and trying to find myself. While it was difficult, I knew how much skating gave me and taught me. I wanted this piece to reflect that.
Austin Kleon – How to Steal Like an Artist, TED Talk
I’ll never forget my last semester of my fourth and final year of University. I finally figured out the perfect way to study and retain information. Took long enough! I had an exam in Religion, Media and Culture in which I was given prompts prior to and then wrote an essay based on one of them. I took a big page and printed out a whole bunch of icons. There was an umbrella term to which I displayed with a big umbrella. Underneath, I pasted icons where they fit to detail the different elements contained and subsections that they included. I had a gavel to symbolize law, a outline of a building to show institution, etc. When I got to the exam I drew out my essay and the points I wanted to make. The images I used to study instantly came to mind. It was such a great feeling. I only wish I had figured out that method sooner. I could have written all of my notes throughout my schooling days using pictures and icons! Perhaps I’ll make a “How To, Study” guide for the visual learner . . . and here it goes, getting added to my list of personal projects I want to do. I’ll never run out that’s for sure.
On a slightly different albeit similar note, I was intrigued to learn about Sketchnoting! This is a piece I did sketch noting a TED talk by Austin Kleon called “How to Steal like an Artist”.
