Joe
DECONSTRUCTED SELF PORTRAIT
acrylic on masonite
This self portrait was influenced by several artists, graphic and illegal street, which reflects how I am thinking at this point in my art. I have been working on a comic book which draws on my history of abuse and it feels as though it is just a flood of ideas that have been cascading out of me. While working I have been studying other artists, such as Banksy and Alex Ross, it has helped me to understand where I want to go and how my style has been influenced by these artists.
I think that if it is looked at closely enough, the style in which I painted shows some homage to Ross and Banksy, as well as Mr. Brainwash. In the process of making this piece, I realized I was influenced in more than a stylistic manner, and in the way of street writers I found myself seriously considering defacing some of the school property for my art.
I really love the graffiti like feel to your piece. The choice in the color palette really draws one in and the imagery really makes one question what's happening. I really enjoy the large scale that this piece was presented upon as it makes a statement to shout out at others to look at it. The only suggestion I have is possibly adding a light wash upon the white areas in the image to just give it even more color and make it pop more. The use of different shapes and arrangement is very effective.
ReplyDeleteThough you cite other artists as your influence, I definitely see your style in this piece. I think it is so fun to figure out what is going on in this scene. It looks like a mad playhouse. I see that you have a very vivid imagination. This piece is so strong because it has a solid presence of you and your personality. As a deconstructive self portrait piece this effective in showing process and thought.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that the beam of color from your forehead over to the right is blasting eye balls that are in the hand of an "unknown". this shows me you definitely have done your dues in understanding symbology. Everything here works for me accept for the yellow rectangle on the bottom. Maybe it brings to vibrant of a color or it is just to blocked off... I'm not sure. All together this piece has very strong symbology.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting self portrait, I can't stop looking at it. I love all the lines you've used. I agree with Cheyne, the yellow is a little too much but I'm not sure why. I would suggest leaving the yellow block of color but maybe add some graffiti there; either words or stencil. I feel like some type of spray paint would make it feel more like street art, although you have captured the style very well as is. Your painting looks much different here in a smaller scale and it deserves to always be seen as a larger piece.
ReplyDeleteThis piece draws me in with its strong illustrative quality. I really like how the portrait becomes something so much more and reveals to the viewer these pieces that make up the artist. There are ao much movement in the piece from the eruption of color at the bottom to the beams of the eye. The piece keeps your eyes moving around the canvas with diagonal lines and I also think the picture doesn't don it justice. I feel like you may have ran out of time and I feel like more creative ideas could fill the voids in the piece and could still avoid being over crowded. I really enjoy the style and I think it could be exaggerated.
ReplyDeleteI really like the texture you present in your work. I also think the concept was really nice and could be developed better given extra time. also contrasting styles made for an interesting reading of the piece overall
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw this I wasn't really sure what was going on or what to think. But the more time I spent with it, the more it started to come together and all the elements really starting working together. I like your choice of colors but as colorful as this is I would like to see just a bit more color, as the white spots really stand out. I think this is a interesting way to depict your influences and how it relates to you. My eye goes all around the image which is great. I think it might be nice to see some stencil work in there, maybe in the more empty spaces. I really love that hand, it's very nicely done.
ReplyDeletethe influence from street and comic book art shows clearly in this piece (particularly in the upper left section). the way the shirt is rendered in contrast to the face was a good choice for the composition, but i would have liked to see more imagery in the right-hand part of the composition.
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ReplyDeleteI know you were having trouble finding a way to balance out your painting when you first started. Your painting is well balanced because the right side is so full of color and the left is full of objects. I also feel like you captured Mr. Brainwash's color palette in this particular painting
ReplyDeletehttp://fashionista514.com/artwork/mr-brainwash-has-hit-a-nerve/
I love the color intensity in this painting!
Your use of shape and space is very good in this piece. Much of it feels very flat, but at the same time there is a solid sense of depth here with the placement/overlap of different elements.
ReplyDeleteThe colors are a good start, but They don't feel as committed as I'd like in a piece like this. They are neither pure enough or dirty enough, which is off-putting for an image like this. I think the most successful part is the thoughts coming from the head. It really captures the idea of thinking and stream of consciousness, which is reflected in the chaotic and somewhat surreal/unreal image that has taken over the "Real world" outside of the brain.
This piece is really quite hysterical to me as it really seems just like brain-throw-up. I love it. The palate of the entire piece is really hard to digest especially in the brain "dream" that looks moldy. I wish you had time to fill in the rest of the blank space, as it feel a little unfinished. This piece really shows your background as an artist, and I can really see your influences throughout the entire piece.
ReplyDeleteThis, my friend, is a trip. It reminds me of a vision that can only be understood by the one who originally experienced it. Each object within seems to have some personal meaning that evades me - I view this as if I am peeking into a moment within your mind. I enjoy the break in what I see as perception or existence, the split of self into different aspects. The color pallet you chose keeps the feel of the piece light. Interesting work.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a great harmony going on in this piece, I remember discussing balance with you when we looked it in progress. It looks very much like watercolor and ink. I feel as though this is your inherent style -seen in most of all of your pieces. It seems somehow unfinished. The brownish-tan gunk coming up out of your head seems like an underpainting, waiting for more paint to develop a more uniform style.
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