2D : Project 1 – My Line is Emo

Mark making study/ Artist References / Inspirations:

Karin Ceelen & Leslie David – Were the first 2 artists that I researched on for this project.

Although Karin uses paint and Leslie used pen. Both of them have a certain neat circle in their work, which intrigues me.

– Karin Ceelen – Leslie David

After further studies, I realized that Gthomasart an artist that teaches other about mark making. Explain it as if it is similar to the technique stippling.

Using different strokes with the same brush can create multiples of outcome and variations. Letting my mind wonder about the pressure, and how it can affect the gradient of the mark.

Next I chose Melissa Mc Cracken a synthetic artist, although she is not a mark making artist her works inspired me in making my final pieces. A summary of her background, Melissa Mc Craken was born with a condition that allows her to see sound as colors. Thus she plays music ( preferably jazz ) when painting her works.

– Title of work: Misty

I was strongly inspired by the abstractness of her works which was similar to mark making. Her works spoke emotions which is very related to this current project.

After that I thought of how I wanted to give my prints a life of its own. Not something controlled but naturally created by the ink/paint/material itself.

James Nares (Painter) and Callen Schaub (Abstract Artist) were great examples of how I wanted to experiment with my works.

James Nares uses paint to create strokes which looks like moving waves or water even though it is just a painting.

Similar but different in method. Callen Schaub uses gravity to help create his works. Like swinging paint across his canvas or dripping it around by slanting the canvas to tilt one side.

After experimenting. I realized my prints are starting to look like the galaxy to me.

Process Part One – Making of my Galaxy prints:

I chose the theme Galaxy, as I felt that feelings are in un-tangible and un-explainable, like a cosmic spectrum from outer space.

Its extraterrestrial, uncontrollable and there is a huge spectrum of ways to feel. Like many different types of stars in space they each are there from a different reaction.

One simply cannot describe exactly how they feel.

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Fear

I wanted to show the scariness of being alone and lost in space. A dark, cold and unknown area.

Using linoleum to reverse the positive and negative space. ( Mediums: Print Ink, roller, linoleum, sponge)

[https://media.salon.com/2013/10/p184uveqav1fsh1ac77m21i21o493-620×340.jpg]

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Joy

The milky way is like a beautiful lit up path made for you, leading you out from the cold darkness.

https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/blueshift/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/eso0932a.jpg

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Surprise

Exploding stars, when a star explodes it would create a dramatic effect. Like fireworks.

http://topnews.in/usa/closest-brightest-supernova-poses-new-questions-about-exploding-stars-226443

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Love

After a star explodes it creates a super nova, they are seen as the most colorful reaction from a star. Super novas normally have a swirly motion. I depict super novas as love, as I felt love is like a whirl wind of emotions yet colorful at the same time. Love to me is also a reaction that explodes unexpectedly into a dynamic expression.

Supernova

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Sadness

Like blood splatters and rain drops, I tried to express angst and devastation. Where an in individual is at their lowest point.

Anger

Trying to depict a rocket exploding in space. Anger to me is like destruction. Where one have the feeling to obliterate everything against their path. Frustration when things do not turn out the way they expected.

– https://www.polyvore.com/dried_blood_splatters_photoshop_brushes/thing?id=36829287

– http://sbiii.com/sci-tech.html

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Study Test Prints on Pressure:

If the pressure is asserted forcefully, the ink will be thicker and darker. Leaving lesser positive space however if the pressure is applied lightly, the positive space will be wider; there will also be more grey areas.

Process Part Two – After consultation, Conjuring a flow and story:

Flow Chart of story – Mini composition and position of prints

Left overs from the final mark making prints.

Created with Chinese ink

Playing with gravity

Final Outcome – Presentation:

Story

Fear – Being abandoned alone in space in a dark and cold unfamiliar place.

Joy – Finally finding a milky way to guide you out of the darkness.

Surprise – The milky way’s stars suddenly explodes around you as you travel.

Love – Eventually the explosions stops and all that’s left is a breathtaking sight, filled with

super novas.

Anger – In the amidst of the stars, there you found your rocket ship blown into pieces.

Along with the traitor.

Sadness – Devastation as you know there is no hope and purpose to reach for any longer.

Abstract Mark Making meaning:

The roughness of the black in the background, represents the feelings of insecurity. The intention was to create tension and paranoia to the viewer.
The second piece is done horizontally as I want it to be clear that it seems like a straight path and not a jagged one. It is noticeably brighter at the ends to create a effect of it shining.
Thirdly this piece links up to the fourth one. Where they both are round thus showing a action sequence happening. The stars exploding, I used splatters to make it seem like there are star dust flying out.
After the explosion they become swirly circles. With the remains of tiny speckles around. The speckles make the white and black not so contrasting to the previous as it is grey. Thus the work would look smooth to the viewer.
The splatters were created using gravity and the forceful swing of the brush filled with ink. To me that is the viewer zooming their vision closer in the dust speckles and there they found the remains of their rocket, along with the traitor.
Lastly this piece is very similar yet different from the first. This is intended as the purpose for it now is different. Instead of creating insecurity and paranoia, I want the viewer to feel like everything is very clear now like the solid background. Concluding the story.

Struggles:

Compiling the final pieces together. Trying to decide which is the most impactful and would leave the appropriate impression I would want to relay to the audience.
Controlling the mediums to create the effect I want.

Solution:

Asking many peoples opinion in what they think and feel when they see the piece.
Prepare extra paper, practice before applying and test on tracing paper first.

Process Part Three – Creating the Final: