Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jerry N. Uelsmann

Jerry N. Uelsmann

This image has been digitally transformed by a digital artist that goes by the name of "Jerry N. Uelsmann". This image
to me represents inspirations and passions. The things in life that keep you going. The image is of a little row boat isolated in the ocean and a pair of hands cupping the ocean. It is as if this is the most important thing in the world as he is grasping it in his bare hands. Doesn't want to let go of his passions. Maybe it is signifying a jump in his life where he has had to sacrafice something he loves for something like... work or children. On the other hand it could just be an inspiration that he holds close to get him through life... always looking back at his row boat to be reassured. The colours in this image are quite dull being all different shades of grey. It gives a real sence of depth and emotion through the image. The contrasting negative space really illuminates the ocean and the clouds because the colours are so contrasting; Black and white. This creates a strong focal point of the image: the row boat. This image really gets you thinking about the things in life that motivate you and mean the most to you. I think to thi artist this atmosphere and scene is a real place to just get away and relax, forget about all the problems in life and just enjoy the relaxing sounds of the waves and the chiming sea birds.

Check this site out :)
He is an amazing digital artist, His works all have strong depth and emotion...

http://www.uelsmann.net/

FreedomGrowls

This is my third avatar and I have decided to call it “FreedomGrowls”. This image is exploring my free spirit. I like to live the way I want; like the things I want and I don’t let other influences affect that in a negative way. I have photo shopped a few different images together to create this image and each have a symbolic meaning. I have chosen to include a white, snow tiger as a visual representation of myself because a tiger is strong and has a strong sense of self, which I like to think I do as well. The tiger is strong on the inside but a calming, gentle, soft white exterior hides that. It is also delicately leaning down with its front paws in the fractal-layered lake just dipping in to the intensity that lies beneath. The balloons floating in the background are there for the tiger to look up too when it is ready to step away from the intensity. It is a constant reminder that when the hard stuff is all over you can just float away peacefully. The colours in this image are all soft and quite placid to give create a relaxing atmosphere until you look down and see the fractal-layered lake where all the intensity lies in life. The lake is a representation oh school and work in my life and the balloons above are carrying my dreams and aspirations, always flying overhead reminding me of what is ahead. This avatar is just a visual representation of my dreams and passions and the freedom of like that I enjoy.

Cyborgatorium

This is my second final Avatar. I have decided to call this piece “Cyborgatorium”. This piece is representing my imagination. I have used various fantasy images to bring this image to life. They have been lightly blended together to create a whole new world… my utopia. On the left hand side is a digital representation of me, as I would imagine myself to look in another world. I have the same facial features but my hair is long and dark, I have scales protruding down my forehead and luminous veins slowly moving up from my chin to my cheek. I am also wearing an outfit that reminds me of a medieval warrior, scales and all. My head is taking on the form of a dinosaur that is linking this image of the future with the past: the Jurassic period, which is actually one of my favourite periods of time. On the right hand side is a flying unicorn/bird/dragon, which is very mystical all on it’s own. My eyes are directed looking at the flying creature, which creates a strong linked focal point, firstly you look at the cyborg and then her eyes direct you toward what is flying toward her. The cyborg (me) is quite out of proportion to give the viewer the impression that she is looking down upon her thoughts, dreams and imagination inspired land. It is my mind exploring and opening up to the world. The places I’ve visited the things I’ve experienced and my inner thoughts and interests are all flaunted sparingly throughout this utopia. The colours are bold and in some areas lit up, this is enhancing the magical, futuristic and surreal atmosphere. There aren’t really any specific symbols in this image; everything just blends together to give a representation of my mind and me.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Black Determination

This is my first final Avatar. I have decided to give this the title “Black Determination” because it is a representation of a certain aspect of myself. This one is focusing on my individuality and determination. The focal point of the work is definitely the image of me morphed with a black panther. This really is the point in the work that all the meaning branch out from. Black Panthers to me have always been very self aware, determined and I can image that whatever they set there mind to… whether it be the kill for lunch or sitting back and sleeping… you cant stop them once they have made the decision. To be honest I am much like this too. From when I was five years old to now my parents have always said that I have always been very determined once I set my mind to something… I wont back down. I have included particular symbols to represent other aspects in my life. The moon in the bottom left corner is a symbol for my passions and dreams. I always have them in the back of my mind for motivation. I have placed the moon half hiding behind a cloud showing how close they are but I still have to work hard to get there. Another symbol in my piece is the abstract fractal pattern shining through along the bottom half. This pattern shows intricate and delicate thought. I tend to think things through a lot and sometimes too much, I look at things very closely and analyse the quite deeply. I thought that the fractal image demonstrated these qualities perfectly. It’s a gentle image but you can see all the detail and precision. To really bring this piece to life I have used many of the elements of art to give it deep expression. Colour is the main element I really focused on that almost dominates the image. I have used a background image of space that is made of different vibrant shades of purple and blue. I chose the colour purple to really take hold of the image not just because it’s my absolute favourite colour but also because it is a colour that portrays royalty and power. It’s a colour that really motivated me to strive and take hold of what I want and this is exactly what this piece means to me. The line in this piece is really quite flowing and organic as much of it looks like it has just been splashed and splattered on the background. The line flicking my hair was really important to create unity in the piece to match with the free-flowing colours and shapes. This image is one of my favourite I have created so far because it really explores a deeper side of my personality and I think that through the symbols and the representation of me it gives a strong and affective voice to the image.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Artist: Benedict Campbell

Benedict Campbell

The image he has used is the album cover for Pink Floyd's 1973 "The Dark Side of the Moon". The album was released containing lyrics relating and speaking up about conflict, greed, the passage of time and mental illness.
Campbell has used a contrasting colour scheme to enhance the focal point, obviously being the rainbow racetrack coming towards you. The image is suspended in a solid black background which gives the impression that it is floating; thus creating the impression that time has stopped and everything is suspended in air. The colours enhance this as the bright colours of the rainbow are flowing gently around the empty space. This creates a happy, free, and exciting mood. There is a contrast in line where the triangle is very geometric and the rainbow flowing from it is extremely organic, this demonstrated the idea of there being something exciting at the end of every hard trip. The geometric triangle is a very dull, grey/blue colour which isn't very interesting. Then the flowing colours and ko-carts racing down the track are very happy and exciting. The meaning behind this Digital piece seems to reflect on the original meaning behind the Pink Floyd album incorporated in it. The Triangle is referring to the not-so-happy things in life, for instance mental illness, greed and conflict as mentioned earlier. It is then leading out to the rainbow racetrack for go-karts showing that there is a good side to everything bad. The idea of the Passage of time is flaunted through the airy portrayal of the images and the go-karts are contrasting this giving the impression that time is driving away... fast. This image is an interpretation of the Pink Floyd album using visual language, humour and creativity to take the original image beyond mimetic representation.

'I am passionate about the image and therefore I will use every means available to me to create the image...’ – Benedict Campbell

To read more about Benedict Campbell...


Monday, March 15, 2010

Avatar III: Individuality and Freedom

DeviantArt

Deviant Art is a virtual website where you have an Avatar of yourself. You have a "Blog" and you post up all your artwork. People can look at it and comment on it. It's a place where people can be who they want to be through their imagination; what they put to paper. It's a place to free your imagination and let others see things the way you do. You are essentially what your art says about you. The virtual society Deviant Art is really interesting to be involved. You see the ways different people portray certain things. You can also receive comments about your art to get to know people that may see things quite similarly to you. It really is a great way to open your mind to exciting, new and bizarre creatures or environments that other people create. This website links in with our topic this term very well because its all about the visual representation of yourself. The things behind the exterior, beliefs, values, passions. It's your mind in colour and shape and form.
It's about how you feel and how you would portray yourself.

Monday, March 1, 2010