This course taught me the fundamentals of 2-D Design. See my assignments below.

Software: Adobe Photoshop

Medium: Photography, Pencil, Ink, Watercolors

 

Assignment: Free Study

  

Assignment: Value Exploration

  

Assignment: Color Portrait

  

Assignment: Warm/Cool and Bright/Dull Colors

August 20, 2010 Biographical Statement:

“A work of art is a world in itself reflecting senses and emotions of the artist’s world.” – Hans Hofmann

Throughout my life, I have always had interest in the world’s aesthetic aspects, the creation and use of sound, and how the use of certain technology captures our memories, mainly for the reasons of self expression and being an inspiration to others. To me, art is the product of human creativity that has the ability to affect the senses or emotions. Art can be seen, perceived, heard, felt, tasted, or smelt. Everything we do is a work of art and our life is the canvas. As our portrait transforms to reflect the influence our experiences have on us, we hope a masterpiece is revealed. But every work of art starts with some spark of inspiration.

My creativity blossomed as a young girl with the gifts of an artist’s hands, a musician’s ears, and a photographer’s eyes. I first discovered these gifts when two very special women sparked an interest in art, music, and photography. Inspiration first came from my mother who adorned our home with beautiful treasures which included her own custom painted wooden décor, family portraits, and precious items. Her lively spirit and profound passion for art, beauty, and traveling greatly influenced my life. Similarly, my grandmother also has a home adorned with beautiful décor. Her home once included a small piano that was given to me when I took interest in learning how to play at the age of six. I took a couple years of piano lessons and I’ve been playing ever since. She also has a love for traveling and spending time with family. Her occupation as a realtor often allowed for me to accompany her to show houses to potential buyers. It was through those experiences with my mother and grandmother that I began to cultivate my gifts in the interests of art, music (specifically piano), and photography.

Also at a young age, I realized that I had a heartfelt eagerness to serve our community and to educate our youth. When I was in fifth grade one of my teachers gave me the opportunity to substitute my lunch time every Friday to mentor a girl in first grade named Sunny. I loved spending time with her in the classroom and helping her with her work. However, it wasn’t until years later that I learned I could incorporate my love of education and my love of creativity into a future career. Given the right tools to flourish and the support, motivation, and inspiration from my loving family, close friends, and caring teachers, I was set on a journey down a road of infinite potential.

At times, the road and its surroundings would transform and present many challenges, but in retrospect they were just opportunities to help me grow and discover my strengths and weaknesses. During my early teenage years I experienced a mild degree of depression due to my parent’s divorce and not feeling like I fit in at school. I was a shy girl with low self esteem that struggled with “perfectionism” and “indecisiveness” among many other things. I wasn’t the best at putting my thoughts and emotions into words so I began to use my gifts and talents that I was blessed with as a therapeutic outlet of self expression. The art I would create, music I would make, and photos I would capture are really what kept me in control and safely between the dotted lines on the road. Nothing else could compare to my passion for art, music, and photography thus steering me to apply them to my education.

During middle and high school I took many art and technology related classes. Advanced Art, Animation I and II, and Digital Photography easily became my favorite classes in school. In those classes, I learned about many types of media and how I could use them to express my ideas effectively. The classes weren’t something I struggled with unlike my English class, because I didn’t feel as adequate and I had a natural ability to draw and shade realistically and take and edit skillful photographs. It was through those classes that I recognized my learning style and the conditions in which I learn the most. Basically, I’m a visual and hands on learner who learns best in a harmonious environment where I can concentrate effectively. If my environment is loud, dirty, or untidy I will not be able to focus. I also learn best where there’s structure, order, and organization yet at the same time plenty of opportunity for creative freedom. I’m a detail oriented person who requires plenty of time to complete my work and dislikes the stress that comes with being rushed. The challenges I endured and opportunities I experienced throughout my teenage years aided in developing a deeper passion for creativity which has set my ambitions on a career focused upon it.

In the future I would like to work for an animation company that produces animated TV shows, movies, games, and interactive media for families with children (ex. Disney, DreamWorks, Cookie Jar Group, Sesame Workshop, Blue Sky Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, etc.). I specifically want to target the younger children by working for a company that produces educational TV shows seen on PBS Kids, Noggin, Nick Jr., Playhouse Disney, etc. In my opinion education is extremely important and animation can be an effective way to educate our youth. I want to help influence the younger generations by contributing to the teaching of important life lessons that will benefit them. Even if I’m part of a team, I’ll be playing a significant role in the development of the next generations to come.

After graduating UTD with my Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in ATEC, I plan on either going out into the animation industry, going to graduate school to get my Masters Degree in ATEC, or becoming a preschool teacher. It all depends on whether or not I can find a decent job or if I feel the need to better my skills and increase my knowledge of animation and/or education.

As I continue my journey along the road of infinite potential, I hope to learn more about how I can incorporate my passions of art, music, and photography as well as my love for educating our youth into my future as well as become an inspiration to others. I know the road and its surroundings are forever changing, but with hard work and determination, I will progress and become miles closer to my destination. And although I do not know where this road may lead to or what challenges and opportunities lay ahead, I’m excited for the journey and for my portrait to be complete.