Process Portfolio

Darrien Higgs
Candidate #: 002843-0115
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Painting
Skills & Techniques

Experimentation
Experimenting has been key for me throughout the creating
process with finding my strong points. With painting, I
started off by utilizing traditional techniques such as
blending and shading. These techniques were difficult for
me however, as I did not prefer these techniques with other
mediums such as sketching. Projects like my self portrait
(beginning of process shown left) started off with blending
hues and creating value through shading.

Preferred Techniques
Through experimenting with blending and shading, Ive came to learn that line work and
painting in solid colors to achieve smooth textures was what I was best at. Not only did I
prefer these techniques because I worked better with them, but also because they fit best
with the aesthetic I wanted to achieve with influences from contemporary art. To achieve
the look of clean lines I often used masking tape and rulers to help outline the desired
image as well as to create a clean barrier between seperate forms. Attaining solid colors
and textures was achieved through even coats of paint and clean brushstrokes.
Acquiring New Skills
Working with lines has allowed me to enhance my skills in this area. I have become more
confident with this technique where I am able to create smooth edges without the aid of a
ruler or tape. My craftsmanship has also improved with the precision needed for line work.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Painting
Process
Process: Unity in Color
I began this piece by painting the entire canvas with white acrylic paint in order for the
squares that would remain white to appear as a white out shade that cannot be achieved
with just gesso. With the design layout of how I wanted to divide this piece, I started to
create straight black lines with the help of tape to divide the canvas into a variety of squares
and rectangles. After the layout was on the piece, I began to fill in each individual square
and rectangle (as seen on the left) with cobalt blue, red, and yellow acrylic paint based on
the pattern layout I wanted to achieve (see planning images/sketches). As I filled in each
divided section I took time to make sure that all lines were clean and straight and that the
colors were vivid and solid. Sketches for
Unity in Color
After each section was filled in based on the color and pattern layout as well as all of the
lines being clean and straight as desired, I took my other design layout sketch (see planning
images/sketches) and projected it onto my canvas and began transferring the image
throughout the entire piece. Once the entire design image was on the canvas, I began to
paint the outlines of the shapes and figures filling in each shape based on which colored
section it was on top of (as seen on the left). With the white sections I painted the outlines
and shapes blue and for the blue section I did the exact opposite by filling in the outlines
with white. I followed this pattern for the other sections as well, painting the outlines in the
yellow sections red and painting the outlines and shapes for the red sections yellow.

I later added geometric faces inspired by ancient African masks to further connect the piece
to the Neo-Expressionism movement. I also added different sized googly eyes and
repeatedly painted Unity in Color near the faces to personalize the piece.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Painting
Process
Process: Natural
I first started this piece with a masonite board and covered it with
layers of yellow acrylic paint. When I first began this piece, I was
not sure one what exactly I wanted to do. While I did have several
ideas, I decided to go with adding barrette clips in primary colors as
it not only would add to the mixed media component but it would
also symbolism natural hair culture.

Next, I began to add the basic details of the piece including the
head shape, eyes, nose, lips. I also began gluing down barrette
clips near the head so that it would start resembling her hair shape.
With the basic shapes of the features in place, I began to add more
dimension by using bold black and white lines.

Sketch for Natural

Then, I began to add more details to the facial features to make the
figure's characteristics more distinguishable. This includes the eyes,
nose, lips, and cheekbones. I also continued to add bold black and
white lines to further define these shapes. I later added flowers and
butterflies in the background of the figure to provide more
symbolism and detail connecting to the title of the piece.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Painting
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation
Artistic Inspiration: Unity in Color
I was immediately drawn to the works of Keith Haring for inspiration when I began this project. I
wanted to create a simple geometric piece that still would convey a deeper message despite it's
simplicity. Haring uses solid lines and colors to create straightforward images often in the form of
abstract figures. With his work, he frequently works with social and political themes, in which the
different characters displayed tell a story of common issues seen in modern society. In his final
piece The Pisa's Mural, the figures shown throughout all have their own distinct characteristics,
shapes, and colors. Haring wanted to convey the theme of harmony in the world, where the 30
Keith Haring. The Pisas Mural. figures shown all represent an aspect of peace coming together in unity like a puzzle. The colors he
1989. used are much more subtle in this piece compared to his other works, and are used in inspiration
http://www.comune.pisa.it/english/
doc/the_mural_of_keith_haring.ht of the colors seen throughout Pisa to create harmony with the environmental setting where the
m mural resides.
Cultural Inspiration: Unity in Color
When researching the artists I chose to take influence from for this project, especially with Haring's
style, they instantly reminded me of ancient African sculptures and other forms of African art. The
aesthetic of African art has been known to heavily influence the work's and styles of a variety of
modern artists, especially within the Cubism and Neo-Expressionist movement. With Haring's work, he
has claimed to have taken inspiration from Picasso and other artists that were influenced by the use of
human figures often depicted in African art. Like Picasso and other cubist artists, Haring wanted to
sway away from traditional fine art styles with depicting naturalism and human behavior/conflicts with African Bronze Statuette. 19th
Century. Fertility Figure from
creating images that have figure like qualities, but also appear flat and vivid almost like a cartoon. Like Ghana.
Haring, I also took inspiration through researching the forms of African sculptures and how they used http://www.visual-arts-cork.co
m/ancient-art/african-sculpture
geometrical shapes to portray human characteristics in a more abstract way. .htm
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Painting
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation

Artistic Inspiration: Natural

Della Wells. Peggy and Little T.
Collage.
http://mainstreetgallery.net/folk-
or-self-taught-art/della-wells/
While I wasn't completely sure on how I wanted to go about this project when I first started it, I did
know that I wanted to incorporate the collage style techniques of Della Wells and David Driskell.
Wells, a local Milwaukee artist, uses cut outs, usually from magazines and other resources, to
create her images. Her cultural pride and heritage is a common theme seen with her pieces,
expressed through storytelling. In her piece "Peggy and Little T", Wells tells the story of a young
girl in a colorful environment with details such as a flower, eye portraits, and a chicken. She states
that her work often does not express specific motifs, but she does convey her personal folkore with
subtle symbols representing the civil rights movement.

Artistic Inspiration: Natural

David Driskell is an artist and scholar in the field of African American art. He also utilizes collage
techniques in his works to express folkore of his heritage. In his piece "Dancing Angels", he
resonates with traditional and ancient African art as well as his personal history. Details, such as
the the striped Benin cloth, makes reference to the banded quilts his mother made when he was a
child. The angel's face, in which half resembles modern features and half ancient African features,
conveys the nature of Driskell's heritage represented in his works.
David Driskell. Dancing Angels. 1974. Oil
and Fabric Collage on Canvas.
http://americanart.si.edu/collections/searc
h/artwork/?id=73857
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Painting
Reviewing, Refining, & Reflecting
Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Unity in Color
Being as excited as I was to begin this piece, I was also very much
excited for it to come together in the end. At first, I wasn't planning on
combining artists and meaning in the way that I did and wanted to just
focus on one single artist. Wanting the styles of contemporary art to be
present in my pieces, I think I did well with not only including this but also
with combining artists that have dissimilar styles and meanings behind
their works. Reviewing my piece overall, I think that my idea of using
shapes and lines to portray figures didn't turn out as well as I planned.
When looking at the piece, the shapes and lines throughout sometimes
tend to look more like graffiti hand style writing rather than figures, making
the piece overwhelming and chaotic to view. With this, people viewing the
piece may interpret a different meaning, but I honestly do not mind this at
all because it can make the piece more interesting to discuss and view. I
also think that my color layout choices could've been organized better.
Putting similar color tones together ended up not adding contrast from the
background layout to the design as I planned. Adding smaller lines to
specific forms helped to fix these mistakes with making the piece's colors
contrast against each other as well as distinguish specific shapes as
human forms.
Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Natural
This piece has probably been one of the most
spontaneous I have done as well as one of my
favorites. It was a spontaneous process because I went
with the flow for the entire idea and did not have a set
sketch for the entire canvas, including the details, as I
went about it. I just started with the central idea of
making a piece on natural hair culture, added shapes
and details as I went along, and came up with the idea
to add old hair barrettes and clips to the piece for more
dimension and to add interest. This has been one of
my favorite pieces I have done because I feel as if it
reflects my personal upbringing spot on. While it was a
challenge to complete this project without an exact
plan, I am especially happy with the results and hope to
create more mixed media and collage projects in the
future.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Printmaking
Skills, Techniques, Process
Research for Skills and Techniques: Vertigo
Since this was my first time ever creating a block print on a linoleum
canvas, I thought it would have been best to research online for some
tips and to learn more about the process:
1. A linoleum print results when a piece of linoleum has pieces cut
out of it, is then inked and is finally printed
2. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife,
V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas Final Carved
Tools Used
representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed Linoleum Design

3. The cut areas can then be pulled from the backing. The linoleum
sheet is inked with a roller or (called a brayer), and then
impressed onto paper or fabric.
The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press
http://www.instructables.com/id/Linoleum-Block-Printing/
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/lino.shtml
Planning: Vertigo
I originally had a completely different idea when beginning the block
printing process. I at first wanted to do an image of an open mouth with
an eyeball inside to represent the obsession of fantasy and reality. I
then realized that this idea would most likely come off the wrong way to
others. I also knew it would be hard to relate this concept to culture and
I didn't want to have my piece inspired by an art movement I have
already used previously. So I ended up deciding against this idea and
swayed more towards Op Art and conveying the theme of balance.
Process: Vertigo
1. With the finished sketch, I transferred the image onto
the linoleum canvas
2. Using larger carving tools, I began carving out the
shapes and stripes that I wanted to appear white on
my final piece
3. To begin printing, I placed a small amount of the black
water base ink onto a metal tray using a palette knife
4. Then, using the brayer tool, I rolled the ink thoroughly
on the tray until smooth
5. Using the same brayer tool, I then rolled ink onto the
carved out linoleum canvas until completely covered
6. To finish printing, I placed two pieces of paper on top
of the inked linoleum and used a baren tool to help
transfer the ink smoothly from the canvas to the paper
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Printmaking
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation
Artistic Inspiration: Vertigo
When I first learned that we would be completing a block print piece and how to create one, I was
instantly drawn to the works of Bridget Riley. Riley is a very well known Op Artist who frequently
used black and white lines and shapes to create her earlier optical illusion pieces. In her works,
such as Movement in Squares, she creates black and white square shapes resembling to a
checkerboard that get thinner in size towards the middle. The illusion to this technique makes the
eye think that the squares are almost falling inwards. I was inspired by this piece because I also
wanted to convey this similar illusion of falling or off-balance. I was also inspired by an optical illusion
I found online. Unfortunately, the piece did not include a title or artist, but I wanted to use it as
inspiration because I thought it perfectly suited the theme that I wanted to convey. This illusion
includes asymmetrical black and white lines that form square shapes. I was inspired by this illusion Bridget Riley. Movement in
Squares. 1961. Tempera on
as well because I wanted to also include an asymmetrical design to my piece to further convey the board.
theme of off-balance or "vertigo". http://www.op-art.co.uk/bridget-
riley/
Meaning: Vertigo
The pressure to maintain a balanced lifestyle is definitely apparent at this point in my high school career.
From completing schoolwork on time, to maintaining a good GPA, to handling a part-time job, having a
social life, spending time with family, and completing chores. All of these different aspects seem to
constantly pile on top of each other, making it difficult to equally balance each of these things out. What
has definitely become my worst habit is putting more emphasis and importance in some of these aspects
more than the others. Even with this habit, I constantly find myself obsessing over how I want to live the
Untitled Optical Illusion by ideal balanced lifestyle. I wanted to portray this obsession in my piece Vertigo with the use asymmetrical
Unknown Artist. black and white lines and square shapes inside a rectangular canvas. With this asymmetry, I wanted the
https://www.pinterest.com/ric
hambrose/artist-bridget-riley/
piece to be relateable to those who also struggle with balancing out their lifestyle.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Printmaking
Reviewing, Refining, & Reflecting

Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Vertigo

The block printing experience has been an interesting process overall.
Being the first block print I've ever created, I definitely had a few struggles
and fails that I learned from. With my first block printing design, my biggest
struggle was trying to do intricate and smaller designs with a larger ended
carving tool. While I did realize that there are smaller designed tools
Original Block Print
specifically used for these intricate details, I ended up learning this too late
and my first design didn't work out. While I did end up liking the design for
my final piece, I'm not completely satisfied with the end result. The lines on
my final block print didn't turn out as clean as I wanted, ironically making
my piece look too asymmetrical. My biggest struggle with completing my Final Sketch
final block print design was having good craftsmanship. Since I was
already behind when I began carving and printing my final design I ended
up doing it kind of sloppily. My canvas wasn't completely even and ended
up having a lot of holes through it. Even with these struggles I did enjoy
creating the block print, and I am proud that I was able to create a new Original Sketch

design with a new artistic/cultural inspiration in the time that I did.

 Two-Dimensional Forms: Graphics
Process

Planning: Milwaukee Flag Design

To begin planning for the Milwaukee Flag Design project, I created 1 in x 2in
rectangles on a sheet of paper and used markers to color in my ideas. I
created 9 rectangles to show my designs. Using Adobe Photoshop CS6, I
ended up creating 2 of my original flag design sketches that had the potential
to be for my final piece.

Process: Milwaukee Flag Design

Create a new file on Adobe Photoshop CS6 with the dimensionof 8in by 11in
(20.32cm X 27.94cm), a resolution of 300, and a white background
Create a blue and yellow stripe with the rectangle tool, should be
symmetrical to each other (11in for width)
Create a red stripe, also 11in in width, but with a shorter height than the blue
and yellow stripe
Create a white circle with a red border, place accordingly above the red
stripe created previously
Erase part of the red stripe that was created in step 3 and half of the circle
created in step 4 according to the Summerfest logo design (creating the Flag Sketches
semi-circle/smile of of Summerfest logo)
Create 2 symmetrical red circles (eyes of Summerfest logo) and place
accordingly under semi-circle arc
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Graphics
Process

Planning: Tub Girl

I had a wide range of ideas when I first began this project, from a much different idea of
illustrating two women in a bathtub together in a non-sexual way enjoying each other's
company to just changing the features and characteristics of the single girl shown in the
image. I decided to go with one girl sitting in the bathtub, who seems rather insecure of
her personal self rather than enjoying a relaxing time in the bathtub.
Process: Tub Girl
1. I first began this project with making a simple yellow background and checkered
1 2 floor using Adobe Photoshop. During this time I wasn't completely sure of what I
wanted to accomplish with this piece, but I did know that I wanted it to be bold
with high contrasting characteristics and primary colors. Once this image was
finished, I thought it most resembled a bathroom scene and decided to go off of
that idea.
2. Next, I began by adding lines to the top and bottom of the yellow portions of the
image to make it resemble crown molding that is found in modern homes. I then
edited an image of a claw foot bathtub and made it transparent. I went with the
color red to provide further contrast and stick to the theme of bright primary
colors.
3. Once the bathtub and background were done and I was satisfied with the image,
I began to trace and sketch a figure of a woman who appeared inside of the tub.
I experimented with a variety of skin tones, features, and hairstyles until I was
3 4 satisfied. I ended up going with a brown skin tone, red lips to match with the
color theme and to provide contrast, and big hair to add personality to the piece.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Graphics
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation
Artistic Inspiration: Milwaukee Flag Design
For my design, I was highly influenced by the Chicago, IL city flag as well as the Denver, CO city flag. Both designs are fairly simple
and symmetrical, yet full of symbolism, all in which are important elements in creating an impressive flag. I wanted to incorporate these
same elements into my own design by using only 3 basic colors (red, yellow, blue) and simple shapes and lines that symbolize
Milwaukee as a whole. Even though deemed as "the worst designed thing you'll ever notice", I also took inspiration from the original
design of the Milwaukee flag. In the original design, there are a variety of images that represent Milwaukee, such as an Indian Head to
represent Native American origins, a gear to represent industrialization, waves to represent the three lakes Milwaukee was founded on,
and a yellow barely stalk to represent the brewing industry. I wanted to include all of these important symbols into my design as well,
but instead of using complex images I wanted to represent these details with colors and shapes.
I was also inspired by the well-known Summerfest logo. Known as "the world's largest music festival", I thought it would be neat to add
this symbol. Since this logo is simple and effortless, it was easy being able to incorporate it into my final design without going over the
top. Not only did I want this symbol to represent Summerfest, I also wanted it to represent the fun-loving and culturally diverse sides of
Milwaukee. Summerfest grounds is a place known to have a variety of different festivals that celebrate a wide range of cultures,
ultimately bringing everyone together as one whole city. I also wanted the Summerfest logo in my design to represent The Hoan Bridge
located downtown. It connects Interstate 794 to the Lake Freeway across the Milwaukee River inlet. I wanted The Hoan Bridge to
represent how it connects the city's diverse set of cultures and people, and how all of its citizens are united as one.
Summerfest Logo Meaning: Milwaukee Flag Design
designed by Noel Blue Stripe: represents the geographical location of Milwaukee on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan
Spangler. and how it is a port city, industrialization of the city
http://summerfest.co Red Stripe and Circles: represents a well-known cultural landmark, Summerfest, and how it signifies the
m/history/ importance of celebrating culture and diversity (red stripes represents smile of logo, red circles represent
Flag of Denver eyes of logo) as well as the central Hoan Bridge, connecting the city from north to south uniting citizens (red
designed by Margaret stripe represents Hoan Bridge connecting city from North to South, two circles represents different cultures
Overbeck. from all parts of the city uniting together as one in the middle)
https://www.collinsflags
Yellow Stripe: represents the Brewing Industry and it's history, a significant symbol in Milwaukee as well as
.com/viewcity.cfm?CF=
Denver the growing economy
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Graphics
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation

Roy Lichtenstein.
Woman in Bath. 1963.
Artistic Inspiration: Tub Girl Oil on canvas.
http://www.museothysse
For this project, I was inspired by the works of pop artists Roy n.org/en/thyssen/ficha_o
Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein was inspired by a romantic comic-strip. bra/335

Woman in Bath features a basic range of primary coloursblue, yellow

and redapplied using Lichtensteins characteristic Benday dot
technique. The womans hands and face, outlined by thick black lines
against a white background, stand out from the static geometry of the
tiled wall behind her. Here, in his treatment of a subject often
addressed in the history of artin the form of The Bath of Venushe Experimenting
succeeds in challenging appearances, replacing the mechanical with Details
reproduction of the cartoon by the manual work of the painter.
 Two-Dimensional Forms: Graphics
Reviewing, Refining, & Reflecting
Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Milwaukee Flag Design
With the overall completion of the Milwaukee Flag Design project, I can say that I enjoyed it for
the most part. I personally love graphic design and digitally manipulating images through
photoshop so this project was right up my alley. The most difficult part with creating my design
was definitely creating the red stripe that incorporated the Summerfest logo using photoshop. I
ended up overcoming this obstacle and happy with the end result. What I definitely could have
done better with completing this project would be to make sure every aspect of the flag is
perfectly aligned and symmetrical so that if it were to be flipped it would look exactly the same. I
could have also improved how I presented the idea of the putting the Summerfest logo into my
design by making it look more original, because others may believe that my flag design only
Other Possible Design
represents the music festival and copyright/plagiarism issues could come about. I believe that
(Milwaukee Flag) the final design for my flag was successful and it overall demonstrated the key components to a
well designed city flag.

Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Tub Girl

When I first began this piece, I did not intend for it to be a studio project and that it would just be a
personal illustration that I have created on my free time. After looking deeper into the reasoning
behind why I decided to create this piece, I thought that it would be perfect to use since it not only
represents my personal stlye, but it also conveys meaning to a problem that I care about. Digital
illustration and manipulation has come to be one of my go-to mediums to use, but I still found
myself having trouble with combining illustrated images with real life objects and still make it all
look coherent and proportional. While I would like to possibly add more symbolsim and images to
the background later, I am overall happy with the results of this project.
Experimenting with Details
(Tub Girl)
 Three-Dimensional Forms: Found Object/Clay
Skills, Techniques, & Process
Researching Clay Sculpting Techniques: Tell Me
Process: Tell Me What to Swallow
What to Swallow
Gather all materials
Grogged clay is better at supporting itself and
Knead clay as needed
ideal for large sculptures, while finer clays are
Use a dough roller to flatten clay into a slab
good for small-scale work. It is worth
With an exacto knife, carve out the shape of the outside of the yakity
experimenting with different clays, as sculpting
yak toy (red mouth part)
is often a highly tactile experience; the physical
Next, gather more clay, knead as necessary, and flatten out into a slab
qualities of one clay may suit you more than
with dough roller
those of another
Carve out the white teeth with an exacto knife
Sculpting with clay often involves supporting the
Score inside edges of red outside pieces and teeth, put pieces
structure as it is created. Small-scale pieces can
together so they resemble the toy
be supported with scrunched up newspaper,
Once done, bake inside kiln/oven (depending on type of clay used)
pieces of sponge, or sticks with clay applied to
Place finished clay piece accordingly with added found object pieces
each end.
Larger pieces can be supported by constructing
internal walls and structures as you build.
Be aware that any non-ceramic materials that go
into the kiln as part of your ceramic works,
internal supports or other additives, and which
burn away during the firing, may result in
harmful fumes. Adequate ventilation is vital for
all firings and ideally extraction fans should be
fitted.
http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-art-and-artists/cera
mic-sculpture/a-couple-of-cool-clay-sculpture-techniqu
es/
 Three-Dimensional Forms: Found Object/Clay
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation
Claes Oldenburg. Giant BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and
Tomato Sandwich). 1963. Vinyl, Kapok Fibers,
and Painted Wood.
http://whitney.org/Collection/ClaesOldenburg/200
2255as
Eddie Goldfarb. Yakity-Yak Talking Teeth. 1949.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/yakity-yak
-60-years-of-teeth-that-talk-back/
Artistic Inspiration: Tell Me What to Swallow
With Tell Me What to Swallow I was inspired by the works of Claes
Oldenburg and the infamous "Yakity-Yak" toy . Claes Oldenburg
portrays the ideas of originality that is hard to come by with modern
advertising and artworks. He shows this in his works by duplicating well
known images that tend to challenge originality that is found in pop
culture. I was influenced by the Yakity-Yak toy because I thought that
it would represent the theme I wanted to convey perfectly. Using both
inspirations, I wanted to mash both the concept of consumerism and
pop culture together.By doing this, I wanted to show how I struggle with
expressing myself as an individual and how I struggle to openly
demonstrate my own original ideas. With the main image of an inferior
version of myself looking upon a deemed superior version of myself, I
wanted to express Oldenburgs ideas of how media affects society. I
wanted this piece to represent how consumerism can take a toll on the
world when used negatively or in a greedy manner.
 Three-Dimensional Forms: Found Object/Clay
Reviewing, Refining, & Reflecting

Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Tell Me What to Swallow

My experience with clay sculpting has been an interesting process overall.
Being the third clay sculpture I've ever created at Reagan, I definitely had a few
struggles and fails that I learned from. With my first idea, my biggest struggle
was trying to do intricate and smaller designs with a larger ended carving tool.
While I did realize that there are smaller designed tools specifically used for
these intricate details, I ended up learning this too late and my first design didn't
work out. While I did end up liking the design for my final piece, I'm not
completely satisfied with the end result. The overall smoothness of the clay
piece didn't turn out as clean as I wanted, making my piece turn out not looking
like the yakity-yak toy how I wanted it to. My biggest struggle with completing
carving out the pieces I needed for the design while still having good
craftsmanship. Since I was already behind when I began carving and
smoothing out my final design ended up doing it kind of sloppily. The sculpture Sketch for Tell Me What to
Swallow
wasn't completely symmetrical and ended up having a lot of holes through it.
Even with these struggles I did enjoy creating this project, and I am proud that I
was able to create complete the project in the time that I did.
 Lens-Based: Lens Media
Skills, Techniques, Process
Research of Skills and Techniques:
Hackneyed
Since this was the first time I've ever used
Adobe Photoshop CS6 to manipulate images, I
had to do some research on the program to
figure out which tools I'd need to use to get the
look I was going for and how to utilize them.
Rectangular Marquee Tool (M): use this tool to
make selections on your image, in a rectangular
shape.
Gradient Tool (G): you can use this to make a
gradiation of colors.
Rectangle Tool (U): by default it draws a Shape
Layer in the form of a rectangle.
Lasso Tool (L): use this to draw selections in
whatever shape you would like.
Photoshop CS6 Toolbar.
http://www.fotodovana.c
om/2013/03/penjelasan-f
ungsi-toolbox-pada.html
Planning: Hackneyed
At the beginning of the creating process, I had a completely different idea in mind.
I wanted to more so portray desire in my final collage with Magritte being a main
influence. I then thought it would be cool to combine two different artists and two
different ideas into one piece. I decided to combine the concepts of originality and
desire with both Warhol and Magritte as influences.
Process: Hackneyed
Create a new file on Adobe Photoshop CS6 with the
dimensions of 24in by 36in (60.96cm by 91.44cm), a
resolution of 300, and a white background
Create 9 symmetrical white rectangles with black
borders that evenly fit the canvas
Sketch for Hackneyed
Open the images being used in a new file and use the
Lasso and Marquee Tool to cut out the part of the
images needed
Click on the filter tab and add the stamp filter using the
colors black and white onto the unedited photos
Copy, paste, and create 3 duplicates of the new filtered
black and white images onto the original canvas and
place them accordingly into the rectangles created in
step 2
Duplicate the black and white filtered images again and
change the colors of the stamp filter such as red and
white, blue and white, and yellow and white (these colors
should have 2 duplicates)
Place all new duplicated layers of the photos into the
rectangles created in step 2
 Lens-Based: Lens Media
Communication of Ideas & Intentions/Critical Investigation

Artistic Inspiration/Meaning: Hackneyed

With Hackneyed I was inspired by the works of Andy Warhol and Rene Magritte.
Andy Warhol portrays the ideas of originality that is hard to come by with modern
advertising and artworks. He shows this in his works by duplicating well known
images that tend to challenge originality that is found in pop culture. Rene Magritte
often expresses desire in his pieces. He portrays desire in his works through Andy Warhol. Campbell's Soup Cans. 1962.
surreal images, usually of people, who seem to have desires that they cannot Synthetic polymer paint on thirty-two
reach or obtain. I was influenced by both Warhols and Magrittes ideas, wanting to canvases.
https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learnin
mash both the concept of originality and desire together. With the duplicated g/andy-warhol-campbells-soup-cans-1962
images and color patterns of the collage, I wanted to show Warhol as an obvious
influence portraying how my piece is hackneyed and lacking originality. By doing
this, I wanted to show how I struggle with expressing myself as an individual and
how I struggle to openly demonstrate my own original ideas. With the main image
of an inferior version of myself looking upon a deemed superior version of myself,
I wanted to express Magrittes ideas of desire. I wanted this image to represent
how the inferior version of myself desires individuality and looks for guidance
towards the superior version of myself who acquires individuality and confidently
expresses this. Rene Magritte. The Lovers. 1928. Oil on
canvas.
http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/
rene-magritte-the-lovers-le-perreux-sur-mar
ne-1928
 Lens-Based: Lens Media
Reviewing, Refining, & Reflecting

Reviewing, Refining, Reflecting: Hackneyed

Based on the theme of this project on personal and cultural
expression, I think my final collage piece overall portrays who I
am and the internal conflicts I have. While I am satisfied with my Original Idea for
Hackneyed
final piece, there was a few things that I have personally
struggled with and would have wanted to improve. My biggest
struggle with creating this digital collage was definitely making
the squares and images as symmetrical in size and placement as
possible. In order to get the look I was going for, I had to create
several layers of the same image, making it difficult to move the
pictures in the placement I was most satisfied with. I also
struggled with coming up with the idea for my final piece. As
stated above, I originally had a completely different idea but went Experimentati
against it since I wasn't happy with how it turned out. Changing on with Ideas
my idea last minute was a huge setback for me, and caused me
to finish this project late. But even with these setbacks, I still
managed to complete a digital collage that I'm proud of.
 Gallery Visits
Portrait Society Gallery (May 2016)

Gallery Inspiration
Back in May of last year, I visitied a few galleries throughout the Historic Third Ward of downtown Milwaukee, one
in which included the Portrait Society Gallery of Contemporary Art. The artwork of this gallery inspired me greatly,
as some of the artists I have discovered have significantly impacted my own work. Rosemary Ollison, a local artist
represented by the Portrait Society Gallery, has greatly impacted my work most. Her pieces deal with her identity
as a black women and celebrates the power and individuality of women as a whole. She often collects glass,
leather, bracelets, beads, bones and jewelry and utilizes these materials into sculptural works. When not working
with sculpture and found objects, Rosemary spends her time creating detailed quilts and innovative drawings.
These drawings have caught my attention instantly when I first viewed them, as her portrayal of human figures
using geometric forms and vibrant colors has inspired my later works involved with the Neo-Expressionism
movemnt. Rosemarys use of symbolism to represent her pride of her identity and cultural background has also
inspired me, especially seen in my pieces Natural and Unity in Color.