Art Production Experiences

Shannon Michel
2018
Art Production 1

Reflections
by Shannon Michel, 2018

Black and white construction paper

9” x 12”

Artist’s Statement
The contrast of the black and white colors in
this Notan Paper Cutting piece creates a
balance and a type of harmony that
reminds me of yin and yang. Although this
type of art has a universal procedure to
create, each individual can add their own
styles and make it their own.
Art Production 2

Mark it Up
by Shannon Michel, 2018

Watercolors, watercolor pencil, sharpie, and

graphite pencil on sketch paper
9” x 12”

Artist’s Statement
The different strokes, marks, and paths of
direction in this piece depict how I held
the writing tool, and what tool I was using.
Art Production 3

Matter of Perspective
by Shannon Michel, 2018

Watercolors, watercolor pencil, sharpie, and

graphite pencil on watercolor paper
6” x 9”

Artist’s Statement
The different stroke marks, and various
shades, create the illusion of three different
distances in this piece. The exaggerated
colors I chose for the sunset depict the
vibrant hues in the New Mexico sunsets.
Art Production 4

Negatives and Positives

by Shannon Michel, 2018

Black construction paper, Xacto knife,

tracing paper
6” x 9”

Artist’s Statement
Cutting out the negative space created a
more simplistic design. I chose the
railroad ties because of the clean lines,
and the protruding railroad spikes. The
railroad spikes create almost a 3D effect
in the piece.
Art Production 5

The Perfect Mix

by Shannon Michel, 2018

Oil Pastels, watercolor paper, scissors

12”x18”

Artist’s Statement
The first step of blending together different
colors to create new ones, manifested the
idea that you can create more from less.
While these shapes may look “random”
they were intentionally cut and placed this
way. I love the way that abstract pieces
such as this one can be interpreted in
different ways by different people.
Art Production 6

Busy Bee
by Shannon Michel, 2018

iPhone camera
4”x 6”

Artist’s Statement
This close up photo inspired by Georgia
O’Keeffe’s close up flower painting. I loved the
dramatic contrast in color between the blue of
the sky and the red of the flower. Then the
more subtle contrast between the red of the
flower and the green of the grass. The bee
half hidden in the shadow is the perfect detail
that makes the picture.
Art Production 7

Busy Bee Sketch

by Shannon Michel, 2018

Graphite pencil, sketch paper

12” x 18”

Artist’s Statement
In this sketch based on the previous
photograph I really focused on the
shadows of the picture. The shadows, as
well as the negative and positive space
gives the piece dimension.
Art Production 8

Mixing Grid
by Shannon Michel, 2018

Watercolor paper, paint brush, watercolors,

water
12” x 9”

Artist’s Statement
Each row of this mixing grid reminds me of a
gradient scale. Starting on either end with
two different hues, finding the middle and
the steps in between. This shows
relationships between colors.
Art Production 9

Busy Bee Watercolor Painting

by Shannon Michel, 2018

Graphite pencil, watercolors, paint brush, water,

watercolor paper
12” x 18”

Artist’s Statement
This painting is the final step of the O’Keeffe
inspired close up photo. I simplified the photo
and focused on the shading, and the contrast
between the sky, flower, and grass.
Art Production 10

Warm and Cool

by Shannon Michel, 2018

Chalk pastels, three leaves,sketch paper

12” x 9”

Artist’s Statement
Experimenting with warm and cool colors
can be surprising. In this piece I layered
cool colors on top of cool colors. I layered
warm colors on warm colors. I also
layered warm colors on cool colors and
vice versa. One might think that warm
and cool colors should be layered to
create contrast, however one of my
favorite sections is the one where I layed
orange on yellow (warm on warm).