5. Transformation

 

Title: Whale, It's Over

Size: 16" tall

This final transformation challenged me, but I decided to go with the flow and completely destroy the canvas from before. The pillar of the sculpture collected all the wood, and the canvas paper itself served as the base of the whale sculpture. I attempted to create the whale strictly from my imagination, which means I used no references for this piece. I felt like making an incredibly 3D piece would challenge me further, and it sure did. This piece resulted in a lot of improvising, burnt fingers from hot glue, and manipulation. However, through all the bumps and burns, it came off as a wonderful piece with the marks of what it was before.

4. Transformation

Title: Meteor Shower

Size: 18" x 24"

This next transformation opened up the last one and placed the stuck ripped pieces of paper on a canvas. I was inspired by space, as the inside pieces reminded me of rocks in a space. The black canvas served it well, and different "meteors" came forward or receded into the canvas. I drizzled acrylic paint to get orbital imagery and how things float around in space everywhere. 

 

3. Transformation

Title: Sketchpad

Size: 10"x7"

This next transformation took a 3D sculpture and flattened it down into the smallest flat surface I could make. It had many layers of Modge Podge and now added tape and clean sheets of paper into the mix. When completed, I doodled a fun image of my dog as it reminded me of a whiteboard. All of the stuff that was on the outside before now sits on the inside, hidden away from the viewer. The goal was to crack this open again, like a geode.

 

2. Transformation

 Image is missing, but here is a description: 

This piece transformed the paper by ripping it into tiny pieces. I took an oval piece of cardboard and built around it with the shredded paper. A glitter was added for a childish feel. It was 3D, but still flat, like a messy cutting board. One side had a royal blue covering the entire half.

Title: Shredded

Size: 10" x 4" x 3/4"

I completely transformed this piece by challenging my normally 2D explicit brain. Going forward, I would not recommend hot gluing a transformation so much, as breaking it apart again became a huge challenge for the next transformation. Overall, this one was my least favorite transformation as it lacked the most concept.

1. Transformation

Title: Don't Read into Me

Size: 3' x 4'

 

Multiple panel

 

    This piece aims to delve into my love for ocean life and science. Growing up, science museums and nature documentaries were an integral part of my learning and everyday life. I couldn't care less about Cartoon Network or Disney Channel. This piece allowed me to connect back with my younger self, who I miss deeply. The blue whale depicted reminds me of motherhood (my mother), as I often associate whales with having a small baby with them. By stripping away the skin and blubber, these magnificent, almost unreal, creatures show their mortality. Underneath, we all are a pile of bones that we will return to. This circle of life may be a simple concept, but it is how the world works whether we accept mortality or not.

Quick Challenge Reflection

    Throughout the quick challenge section of our class, I learned how to use found objects in many ways. This semester, I had many financial issues, which led to me using materials I would not normally pick. I discovered that small, quick challenges led to more disappointment in my work. I couldn't put hours into just one piece; instead, I had to improvise to create multiples. Although that encouraged more creativity, I prefer jumping into one concept and making something I like out of it. 

    The quick challenge that stood out to me was my found object work. When I jumped back into digital art, I loved using bright colors and different brushes. It was nice not to feel any financial pressure with my digital work. It also opened up memories of drawing characters back in high school. 

    Lastly, I would like to use materials that are simply around me in my work more. There is something organic and special about using something that might be thrown away or put to waste. I love the idea of repurposing things, and letting these nonsentient objects live a life they wouldn't have.