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(http://lhs.loswego.k12.or.us/z-mcbrides/AP/2009/09APbreadthconcentration.htm)

I had so much fun in art this year. My concentration was hard at times but overall I think it was definitely worth it and I improved tremendously. At the start of the year I had a hard time completing pieces with a middle ground. My favorite piece of work that I completed was the forest painting on cardboard. Although I found myself struggling with my procrastination I was able to push through and finish all of my pieces successfully. By the end of the year everyone including myself pushed to finish all of their art right before the art show. I think that any future students that want to take this class will be successful if they stay on track and do not procrastinate. If you stay focused and get most of your work done in class you are sure to have a great productive year!

what artist inspires you?

A local Portland artist I find inspiring is Joel Harris. He has three main sections of art work. They consist of modern art, landscape, and sketchbook. His landscapes are especially cool for me because they are very similar to my concentration. His landscape pieces are paintings of all different shaped trees. The shading on the landscape paintings are really important. I feel like they really seem to frame the trees. As well I really enjoy his sketches. They are mostly very detailed in black and white and pretty graphic. The section of modern art is very graphic with bold colors. I love how in each painting he has a focal point that draws your eye in.

Another artist that inspires me is Monroe Hodder. Her work is inspiring to me because I find her take on abstract landscapes very interesting. Especially the way she uses lines and color to convey her message. Her art always appears simple but yet complete. I am currently working on a piece for my concentration that is inspired by her landscapes.

March Madness

It's time to start fresh on the next two ideas for our concentration. I got some really good advice from the last critique and thought the way we did it was really cool. I have already started on my next two pieces for my concentration and I am very excited. My goal for this month is to be as productive as possible with my work and just get as much done in class as I can. This way I won't be rushing last minute to finish the two pieces on time. My next two pieces are both going to be done with acrylic. One on canvas and the other on wood. I have two awesome pictures (thanks to Mrs. McB) from a forest that are going to work well with my concentration and will be really fun to paint. I can't wait to start the painting!

February Critique

My concentration is the damages and distortion the elements have on trees. For this time around I tried to focus on the leaf from a tree. The first one I really worked on my layering. I water colored the trunk of a tree and then on top distorted the surface so the tree was just barely showing through. On one of my last layers I added in a leaf with black colored pencil but then it didn't really turn out well so i took some of it out. My second piece I took a closer look at a leaf and produced a zoomed in version. It is frustrating because I feel like I am at a road block. I'm not really sure where to go at this point. Mrs. McBride suggested possibly going to a paper mill and so I think I am definitely going to check that out soon. If you have any more advice for me please let me know.

Concentration advice?

The zoo was so much fun I really enjoyed it! Although it was snowing and extremely cold outside I think we all got some really cool pictures. My favorite part was visiting the lorikeets because we were able to get up really close and take pictures. Also their colors were bright and bold. When we were walking around I was able to find some really interesting bark textures on trees but I feel like I'm maybe kind of getting stuck with my concentration. I really want to take the trees to the next level but I'm not sure how to just push my ideas further. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment. So far I'm working on a picture of a leaf turning into a tree as well the roots of the tree growing out of the ground.

Start of concentration

zoo trip!

I am so pumped to go to the zoo! I hope everything works out and we are allowed to go because if not that would really suck. Hopefully it doesn't rain. That would be a bummer so pray for nice weather!! I'm thinking I'll be able to find some inspiration at the zoo to help me with my concentration but if not it will be a fun trip no matter what, totally worth it. Maybe I could find trees that have been like distorted or damaged by animals I don't know something like that. Either way I'm really excited. Can't wait! I'm also super excited to see the monkeys because they are my favorite!