way overdue.... my experimental color theory works!

These go way back to the color theory painting assignment. As part two of that assignment, we were to have an art experience, getting lost in different mediums and just having fun. I did! The following works were created with acrylic paints, metallic ink, matte medium transfers, and drawing. Inspired by cities, wildlife, geometric shapes. On 8"x1' and 1'x1' wood panels.

mixed media work

A combination of paper transfers and acrylic paint. This work was inspired by fluorescent cell images- science is a wonderful and sometimes beautiful mystery.

in a dream.... collage work

This dream-landscape collage was inspired by old-fashioned train stations. To me they symbolize the excitement and adventure of traveling, in the days before people dreaded airplane rides and car trips. I included myself in this collage, stepping off the platform into a new city. I also wanted to include an autumnal setting- inspired by the changing colors of the trees!

"create your own" composition

For this open ended composition, I decided to retake one of my earlier still life photos, incorporating some of my favorite elements from each one. I also chose to use a blue background instead of white to offer some contrast to the yellows in the objects.

distorted photo

I played with contrast and exposure levels on a photo I took for a previous assignment for my photo distortion composition. I think it has a dreamlike feel, and I like the way the lines in the composition are highlighted.

A few singular objects....

As part of an exploration project to choose a composition for our panel paintings, we photographed objects by themselves. I was able to play with lighting to create different shadows which was fun! I have never really photographed objects this way before (creating my own setting/lighting) and it was a great experience!

still life photos

Here are a few of my photos taken for a 'still life' assignment, composed of objects that have personal meaning as well as kitschy/masculine/feminine-type objects. 

Prop Part 2

The second part of this project was a puppet/mask to coincide with the poster for our march to Monroe Park. I made this figure, a girl's head with a computer screen as a face, out of cardboard and drywall spackle. I covered the computer screen with headlines from recent articles about cyberbullying and drew the girl's face on the screen as if she were trapped inside. Her hair is electrical wire.

Prop yourself up!

Our latest project in Surface was a two-part project called "Prop Yourself Up" which was all about raising awareness (and not being afraid of controversy!) for a certain cause we felt passionate about. After reading so many news articles about tragic cyberbullying deaths and other internet-related tragedies and losses of privacy, I felt very concerned about the direction that our high internet use is taking our society, especially college students. As Facebook grows increasingly less private and it becomes easier and easier for others to view and exploit personal information, I think we need to re-examine our internet use and perhaps cut back- looking at the negatives instead of only the positives. 


The first half of this project was a propaganda poster. I modeled my poster after vintage travel posters I looked at during my research. I tried to give the poster a vintage look to contrast the modernity of the internet. Through the symbols I used, I tried to convey the message that there are negatives as well as positives when it comes to the internet, and it may not be as innocent as it seems.