Art Historical context

When I was in Italy we went to a place called Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city, founded around 7 BC by colonists from a Greek city. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins were noticed again as recently as the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While the main features of Paestum are currently the standing remains of three major temples, what impressed me the most is what I found in the museum. There are tomb paintings and stone busts, along with many other incredible artifacts, but nothing fascinated me more than the Illuminated manuscripts. I studied them for a long time, impressed by the great amount of detail, and whimsical little markings. I spent a long time documenting them in my sketchbook. 

Since then I began adding to the pages of my sketchbook more and more intricate designs and patterns I found anywhere from the most unusual places to the most beautiful and renowned works of art. The idea of using these ancient designs in a contemporary way intrigued me, and I felt passionate about drawing for the first time in a long time. 

This experience influenced my decision to get my BFA in Drawing and Painting. I created many paintings that incorporated the patterNs and designs I found during my exploits in Italy. There is one symbol that I adapted as my own, which I included in all the paintings, drawings, and prints that I made. 

I was excited when I got accepted into the program, however, I found that I did not completely understand why I created these compositions, or what they meant. Now I can see that they are emphasizing the details that make things as wonderful as they are, although they may go unnoticed if you do not look for them and make the effort to recognize them. It is what kept me going as an artist, so I could get to where I needed to go.



I continued to make these designs in my sketchbooks, but moved on to more conceptual art. I was pushed and challenged in the Installation class and really enjoyed the Digital Art class I took in the Fall of 2010. In these classes I created art that exploited my feelings. It was very uncomfortable, but I have found that it is in the uncomfortable situations that push you out of your comfort zone that you grow and progress most. It is there that true greatness is discovered.

In these classes, along with Studio Seminar, I was introduced to contemporary artists who excited me. They broke the rules that I was taught to keep and took new approaches to art that I had not thought of before. Contemporary art is the art that is being created right now. Some museums consider any art created since WWII to fall into this movement. It is conceptual. It holds meaning. It can make you look at things in a different way. Which may be why distinctions between the high and low arts have started to fade, as contemporary art continues to challenge these concepts by mixing with popular culture.

While I was in NYC I saw firsthand some of the work I had learned about. Incredible works from the artist John Baldessari were stunningly more impressing in person that they were on a computer screen. The meaning was the same, however. John Baldessari dared to take familiar images, with recognizable subject matter, and replace parts of it with a flat color. He challenged the meaning and context by doing this. His works are amazing, but not because of the effort put into flawlessly painting the images, capturing the accuracy of what is depicted. It is because of the poignant meaning and subtle references. It is because the concept is strong, and the execution is clean.

I also changed the context of the images I used in my animations and digital collage by taking one person from a photograph, already loaded with a history of its own, unrelated to my art, and combining it with many others. I like the baggage these loaded images brought because it allowed my compositions to hold many histories, just as each person at a party brings a different history or life baggage with them in reality.

Annie Poon is another contemporary artist who has greatly influenced me. She creates lighthearted animations that have an unfinished quality. This is something I really enjoy. It brings a life to the animations that I admire and relate to. 

I tried to accomplish a similar rawness in my own animations by allowing it to lack a seamless or overly finished quality. It looks as if I took a bunch of people, all the friends that I have collected like some kind of kleptomaniac, and pasted them into one setting.

Another artist of this movement who I have thought about in consideration of my own art is Emily Fox. A fearless artist who puts her pride aside to perform somewhat ridiculous and embarrassing things for the videos she creates. Whether it is swimming in a pool to perform aquatic dances or exhibiting her ballet skills in a skintight leotard.

There is a sense of raw, unadulterated exposure that is something I desire to find in my own animations. While I am not exposing myself physically, I do use stop animation to expose my feelings. Specifically the uncomfortable feelings I have when I am alone in a social environment.



I created animations to explore my feelings and desires. I found this process challenging because I wanted to the crowd to be made up of people I know, my friends and loved ones. I wanted to make sure all of their faces could be seen, because they all mean something to me. This would not make a natural looking composition, though, so I had to remind myself of Rembrandt.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was an artist in the 1600s. He was a Dutch painter working during the Baroque period. Baroque is a style that is used to exaggerate motion and easily interpret detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture and painting.

Rembrandt was a determined artist who took risks and did things differently. In his painting, commonly known as The Night Watch, he composed a group portrait of a division of the civic guard in an unusual way. Instead of painting them in a neat row or sitting at their annual banquet, he depicted a moment in time in a natural way. To have someone hidden behind another person, or obscured in some other way was uncommon because paintings like these were paid for by the group.



I proceeded with my compositions, taking care that they looked natural, swallowing the importance of the face of my friend in order to create an environment that represents a potentially real moment. They are still in the image, which means they are present at the event depicted, which is just as significant as if their faces were visible to the viewer.

My Signature Origin

When I was in Italy we went to a place called Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city, founded around 7 BC by colonists from a Greek city. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins were notice again as recently as the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While the main features of Paestum are currently the standing remains of three major temples, what impressed me the most is what I found in the museum.

There are tomb paintings and stone busts, along with many other incredible artifacts, but nothing could fascinate me more than the Illuminated manuscripts. I studied them for a long time, impressed by the great amount of detail, and whimsical little markings. I spent a long time documenting them in my sketchbook. Since then I began adding to the pages of my sketchbook more and more intricate designs and patterns I found anywhere from the most unusual places to the most beautiful and renowned works of art.

The idea of using these ancient designs in a contemporary way engaged me, and I felt passionate about drawing for the first time in a long time.

This experience influenced my decision to get my BFA in Drawing and Painting. I created many paintings that incorporated the patters and designs I found during my exploits in Italy. There is one symbol that I adapted as my own, which I included in all the painting, drawings, and prints that I made. I was excited when I got accepted into the program, however, I found that I did not completely understand why I created these compositions, or what they meant. Now I can see that they are emphasizing the details that make things as wonderful as they are, although they may go unnoticed if you do not look for them and make the effort to recognize them. It is what kept me going as an artist, so I could get to where I needed to go.

I continued to make these designs in my sketchbooks, but moved on to more conceptual art. I was push and challenged in the Installation class, and really enjoyed the Digital Art class I took in the Fall of 2010. In these classes I created art that exploited my feelings. It was very uncomfortable, but I have found that it is in the uncomfortable situations, that push you out of your comfort zone, that you grow and progress most. It is there that true greatness is discovered.

Go Forward with Faith

Have you ever been to Disneyland? It’s the most magical place on earth! it’s full of fatty foods, cartoon characters, awesome rides, and the longest lines you will ever stand in! I love it.
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you don’t think about the lines when you prepare to go. that’s why you get blisters on your feet. but in reality, you are spending hours of your day in LINE! why would you do that?
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in some cultures, people will get in line because it means food. i had a professor who tried out an experiment with a couple friends. they stood in a row and within minutes there was a line forming. as they realized they had created a false promise for these people, they sheepishly, one by one, left the line.
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at Disneyland, all the lines lead to good things. and you can choose which one to get in. you either get a deliciously hot churro, a picture with Mickey Mouse, himself, or a thrilling and adorable ride.
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not only do you get what you’re promised, but the atmosphere while you’re waiting is fun and inviting. AND you have your family and friends to talk to creating wonderful bonding experiences!
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i have heard that standing in line is what hell is like, but i would like to submit that is it what life is like. Heaven is different. Heaven is what we’re standing in line for. only, it lasts a lot longer than a ride at Disneyland, and is infinitely better!
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you see, what we don’t always realize about standing in line, is when we move forward. slowly but surely, we go from the back of the line to the front. and if we are wise, we spend our time in line growing closer to the people we love, recognizing the beauty around us, and becoming better for the wait.
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when i was asked to speak on “going forward with faith” i almost laughed out loud. this topic is one that i have been dealing with a lot lately, and honestly, i think this was the answer to my prayers. i am grateful to have the opportunity to study this topic and share the things i have learned.
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President Packer shared a story about a time when he felt a difficulty moving forward. He said, “We once had a major decision to make. When our prayers left us uncertain, I went to see Elder Harold B. Lee. He counseled us to proceed. Sensing that I was still very unsettled, he said, “The problem with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” Then he quoted this verse from the Book of Mormon, “Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).
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He added, “You must learn to walk a few steps ahead into the darkness, and then the light will turn on and go before you.” 
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one of the key principles i discovered in moving forward with faith is patience. 
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President Uchtdorf describes patience as the ability to put our desires on hold for a time. He says, “Patience was far more than simply waiting for something to happen—patience requires actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don’t appear instantly or without effort.”
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in the Strength of Youth, we learn that much is required of us. but we are taught that we are capable of reaching our full potential. we should ask ourselves two questions: 1. Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live? and 2. How have I been blessed by living these standards?
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when we put the Lord first, He will make much more out of our lives than we can do by ourselves. (just as in institute this week. A member of the temple presidency spoke, and he said, talking about marriage, look for someone who loves the Lord more than he loves you. Because if they love the Lord most, he will love you more than he could have if he thought he loved you more) He will increase our opportunities, expand our visions, and strengthen our ability to meet lifes challenges.
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President Uchtdorf said, “Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.”
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even when things seem to be going all wrong, if the Lord is first in your life, you can know you are right on track! Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own, for He is the source of all wisdom.
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Elder Holland said, “Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as “hope for a better world.” For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of ‘good things to come.’”

​He counsels, “Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope. “Pray always, and be believing.” Indeed, as Paul wrote of Abraham, he “against all hope believed in hope” and “staggered not through unbelief.” He was “strong in faith” and was “fully persuaded that, what God had promised, he was able to perform.”
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when we choose to get in line, we have faith that whatever we are getting in line for will be worth the wait. likewise, when we chose to come to earth we knew it would be worth it. and we can choose to endure well while we’re here if we exercise faith we can know it will all be worth it. 
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President Uchtdorf said, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!”
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go forward with faith. in whatever you are working toward. 

Elder Holland encourages us, saying, "Don’t give up. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”
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Pray to our Heavenly Father daily. express to Him your gratitude, and the desires of your heart. Study the Scriptures and apply what you read to your life. Go to church every Sunday, feel the Spirit, and let it change your heart. these are the "primary" answers, but they really do make all the difference, if you apply them.
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When You go forward with faith, you will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you.
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testimony

A Special Guest...

Hi!

I'm Tiny Lisa. I'm really shy, so I don't say a whole lot, but people really like me anyway! They always come up to me to have their picture taken with me. I don't do anything to provoke them, I'm usually just standing in the corner -smiling at them. What can I say? I'm a people watcher and I have a happy disposition. I don't see why I wouldn't, life is beautiful. When I am around, I can't help but be noticed.  I go to lots of parties and  have lots of friends. Will you be my friend, too? 



Alright, I'll be honest, lately, I've been working on some top secret detective work. No one catches on. They just think I'm standing in a dark garage for fun, I guess. I'm not gonna lie, I think it's pretty funny how they jump everyday when I startle them. It's not like I jump out screaming (like some would) I just stand there, in the light of the moon, or really just a little night light thingy... 

I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything... (ever)! When I turn sideways it's like I disappear. 



Well, until next time! I'll be standing here.

I got sham and it ain't glam, it's talent!

As some of you may know, I really love plays, especially musicals. Who doesn't like it when people break out into song and dance?! I actually do know someone. When I was in NYC on a field study last year, one of my art professors showed he was a snob to plays. He liked operas, but he said that plays were the kitsch of the theater world. Low shot. I've been to an opera. In Milan. I fell asleep*.

Well, last night I had a dream and many of my friends from my last ward were in it. We were talking and someone said something descriptive using the word "sham". Someone turned, seeming confused (I think it was someone from my new ward) so the person who said it broke out into song, "I got sham, and it ain't glam..." waving her finger with attitude, then the rest of my old ward-ies joined in, finishing by raising their arms theatrically as they held out the last word, "it's talent!"

Who knew that was a thing? I learn so much while i'm asleep. I should do it more often...

I like my new ward well enough. The Bishop is phenomenal! And the people are pretty nice. Pretty and nice. But it's kind of different than what i'm used to. All the people are, well... they come from rich families. That's not a bad thing, but they just seem like they are still in the mindset that daddy will get them whatever they want and fix all their problems, and pay all their bills. They dress really immodestly - glamorously, and many of the comments people make are really shallow. It's like they mostly abide by the 'rules' of the church, but don't understand the gospel or live it's principles because they love it and WANT to live it. It's weird, but It's giving me a different perspective, which is always a good thing.

I think my dream was addressing the different dynamic of people and caliber of character. The one thing I wrote down in my notes at church yesterday was this:

I realized today that I am more attracted to those of spiritual strength than to any other kind of strength or physical attribute. If someone is doing their best, and seeking for virtue, they are the kind of person worth having in my life.

In movies, tv shows, or plays, the main character will more than likely be physically attractive. As the plot thickens, however, we may learn that they don't believe in God, or are lacking some other virtue, like chastity or they may have a drinking problem, or chicken pox, but we still root for them to win the heart of the heroine because they are the main character, and they are SO attractive!

But in real life, if I meet someone like this, I stop rooting for them. I don't mean I stop rooting for them to make good decisions, I just don't bring them closer to my heart and I don't see them in a romantic light.

In short, I guess I feel my old ward is more worthy of musicals, not because of how glamorous they are, but because they have what it takes to be in my heart. And that's sham. Apparently. So says my dream. :)

I got sham and it ain't glam, it's talent!


please forgive me for this image... it's more of a journal entry for a sketchbook about a dream I had than art I should be showing to people. It's not even completely accurate, there were guys singing too. But it applies here.

*I probably wouldn't have fallen asleep if it had been a more beautiful opera. and if I had been able to see the stage more easily (our seats were the ones rich, famous, or royal people would have sat in a long time ago to BE SEEN, and not to SEE).

Danger

I was just thinking about some of the dangerous situations I've been in and thought I'd share a few.



One time, when I was in Rome, two of my friends and I heard about this gelato place that was supposed to be the best gelato in Rome or something. We were told, "it's located in a creepy little alley that  normally you would never want to go down..." Well, that sounded like a good enough description for us, so we embarked on going down every creepy alley we could find. We never found the gelato place, but boy, we saw some stuff... I wasn't really scared, but looking back, maybe I should have been.

One time, when I was swimming in the freezing waters of Lake Como, I almost drowned. The current combined with the low temperature, combined with my less-than-expert swimming abilities dragged me toward the small pier, and under the water. It was completely worth it though. One of the most fun things i can claim living through!

One time, I got my heart broken.

One time, when I was in New York, I was trying to meet up with some friends, but I kinda got lost and took the subway to a part of town that was sketch. It didn't take long for me to realize I wasn't in a place I wanted to be in -alone- so I got back on the subway. I don't know if I was in any kind of real danger, I HAD been coming from the temple, but anything could happen.

One time I was in this souvenir shop with my dad, but when I tried to leave, the witch locked the doors with her dark powers and cackled. She tried to to attack us, but I woke up screaming. I don't have many dreams that make me wake up in such a way, but since we were on vacation, I also woke the rest of my family. (sorry)

There are more serious dangers I have been in, but who wants to read about those? I can make art about those, and not have to talk about it with words... I think these are the things that inform the way I view life. They broaden my outlook. Sure, dangerous events make good stories, but they can also build character, and strengthen my abilities to conquer even more.

New Year's Goals

I'm not the best at making new years resolutions, but I am pretty good at setting goals for myself and reaching them. Over the break I was thinking about how I'm going to spend my time this semester now that I don't have classes. I am still working on a couple reports I wasn't able to finish because of an emergency that came up, but I need to be creative and feel fulfilled.



Goal #1. Make art everyday

I didn't get a degree in Studio Art for nothing so my first goal is to make art everyday. So far, I have done this. I have worked on a portrait nearly everyday, and now I have quite a few more self portraits. I need more faces, so let me know if I can do a portrait of you! I have also been working a lot on my younger sister's wedding announcements - which has been really fun and exciting. I've made a few different ones and they all look great. I'll post them after they have their official debut.




Goal #2. Exercise regularly

Well, this is awkward... I don't know what to say here... Haha. Okay, in my mind, I was thinking I would go running every morning. That hasn't happened yet. I think I do better with a running buddy. Anyone? I can say this, however, there are 2 flights of stairs in my new apartment (mom, that's TWO), and I have to go up and down them everyday. Multiple times. I have also walked to and from campus...



Goal #3. Apply Alma 38:12

Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. I love that it says to use boldness, but not overbearance. I want to incorporate this into my everyday life, and into the parts of my life that are not as successful as others. Okay... Do you want to know a secret? The scripture wasn't exactly the goal I wrote down, but I think it is a more reasonable one. i'll leave the actual one up to Kimber this year... Oh yeah, I think i'm doing okay on this goal too.