Imag(e)ine
Title: "Growth"
Size: 36 in x 36 in Medium: Silkscreen October 2018 Exhibition TextThe silkscreen "Growth" is a piece that conveys the idea that a united community grows together but continues to be down to earth and attached to its beginnings or "roots". In the work the tree and the falling leaves represent the community as whole. By displaying the tree's stage of abscission the viewer can know that the image represents "growth". Purposely from a different point of view if you look at the image upside down you can see roots and the same frame of the falling leaves.
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InspirationFor this piece I was inspired by two paintings. The First painting was "Roots" by Frida Kahlo and the second one is "Tree with Crows" by Caspar David Friedrich. After having researched I chose to demonstrate how the ideal community would function and the importance of unity within that community. Three aspects that helped me show what I visually had in mind were the Tree, Roots, and Leaves in both works. After observing both paintings I realized that the many branches in the tree are a mirror of roots so I decided to create a piece that even if it can be seen as two things it has one meaning. Another thing that inspired me were the dark and warm hues in both Kahlo's and Friedrich's paintings.
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PlanningStencil Sketches
For this piece it was clear to me what stencils I wanted to create in order to deliver the message of "growth in a community". I thought since the background image is a tree it would be complete if I made leaf stencils inspired by those in Kahlo's piece. The second stencil I made was the word 'Unity" which is what ties together the meaning of the piece. When I drew the word I made it in a different font and added lines around the sides to make it look unique as if it was a stamp. |
Process
Stencil Making Process
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Silkscreen Printing Process
- The first step is to chose what color ink do you want to make your prints with. Up to two colors can be chosen.
- After choosing the ink you mix it for it to be at a good consistency. Once you've done that you grab the silkscreen and you place it where the metal rim is facing down towards the table.
- The third step is to grab your stencil and place it over the silkscreen. Making sure the image is in the middle of the screen you fold the excess patty paper to the sides and tape them in place.
- After taping and making sure the stencil is secure you can turn the silkscreen over (metal rim is facing upwards from the table). Once that is done you can place the screen where you want in any direction on the background image.
- The fourth step is to add ink with a spoon on the upper area of the stencil.
- With the squeegee, using a bit of pressure you pull down the ink and make sure to spread it all over the stencil.
- After spreading the ink you remove the silk screen and the print is done.
- If you want to continue using the same stencil and same colored ink you keep spreading the ink and making prints.
- In case you want to change the stencil or use a different color you have to remove the stencil
- After removing the stencil you must wash the ink off with water, wipe the water off and blow dry the screen until its completely ready to be used again.
Critique
Compare
In the piece "Roots" and "Tree with Crows" Kahlo and Friedrich use dark hues, similarly in my piece I used their color choices as inspiration for my silkscreen piece.Another thing in common is the use of form for both the tree in "Growth" and the tree and roots in "Tree with crows" and "Roots". Contrast In contrast from my work both of the inspiration pieces have more detail in the images created. Also another difference between my piece and the inspiration paintings is the medium through which they were made. The piece "Growth" was made through Silkscreen medium while "Tree with crows" and "Roots" were oil paintings. |
Reflection
I was very pleased with how this piece turned out overall. If I were to pick over both of my silkscreen print pieces I would choose "Growth" due to the fact that I was able to execute what I had planned. While making this piece the silkscreen printing process ran way more smoother since I was a bit more experienced after completing the first one. After having gotten used to the process I was able to make many prints of the leaf stencil all around the background.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you you were able to "identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork" - Kahlo and Friedrich influenced the way I created the background and what stencils I used to create the piece. Their techniques and the art principles that the used also helped guide my art.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? - My overall approach was to display the growth of a community.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? - I've known that many communities are made up of different people that share different cultures nevertheless people work together and interact together everyday.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? - The main theme was "community" and it helped inspire the images created and the stencils I would use to portray it well.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? - While reading my research I realized that the inspiration artist connected well to the theme of "community" and closeness.
Clearly explain how you you were able to "identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork" - Kahlo and Friedrich influenced the way I created the background and what stencils I used to create the piece. Their techniques and the art principles that the used also helped guide my art.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? - My overall approach was to display the growth of a community.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? - I've known that many communities are made up of different people that share different cultures nevertheless people work together and interact together everyday.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? - The main theme was "community" and it helped inspire the images created and the stencils I would use to portray it well.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? - While reading my research I realized that the inspiration artist connected well to the theme of "community" and closeness.
Citation [MLA Format]
- Frida Kahlo: 100 Famous Paintings, Complete Works, & Biography, www.fridakahlo.org/roots.jsp.
- “Frida Kahlo Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-kahlo-frida.htm.
- Stigmatization of St Catherine of Siena by BECCAFUMI, Domenico, www.wga.hu/html_m/f/friedric/3/303fried.html.
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- Frida Kahlo: 100 Famous Paintings, Complete Works, & Biography, www.fridakahlo.org/roots.jsp.
- “Frida Kahlo Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-kahlo-frida.htm.
- Stigmatization of St Catherine of Siena by BECCAFUMI, Domenico, www.wga.hu/html_m/f/friedric/3/303fried.html.
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