Sunday, October 20, 2013


Jasmen
DECONSTRUCTED SELF PORTRAIT
acrylic paint, epoxy resin on acrylic board


             There is a time and place for deep, meaningful conversations and deconstructions, but the first conversation with a stranger is not one of them. I love art, and I love why artists make art, but reading the depth and meaning of everything in a piece get’s tiring. In response to this, my self portrait piece is very shallow (Heh, that’s a pun I came up with just now.)

            This is simply a self portrait in subject and materials, as I incorporate two passions of mine. There are no other meanings; I just wanted to show off my love of art and water. I invite you to touch the water and relax; the artist rather take things easy than stress about this piece’s meaning. 

12 comments:

  1. I really love this piece as I also have a huge love for water. The details in the shifts of warm colors throughout the hair and face is really nicely done. Rather than getting your character in water but rather a superhero flying through the air. My suggestion to make the water distinct is by creating more tonal changes in the water to really demonstrate this matter. I wish we were able to see your piece in water how you imagined as I think this would have really brought your concept in a different stronger light. I really enjoy the use of materials to create a ripple effect sending off a vibe of waves of water.

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  2. You did a good job of capturing the reflective quality of water. This piece doesn't take itself too seriously as does the artist. I don't have really much else to say other than this is a fun painting to look at.

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  3. I love your artist statement... I agree with your opinion that finding meaning in everything isn't always necessary. Actually, with your lack of "meaning," I find your painting more interesting because I don't need to try to understand some BS concept; I can just look at your piece and enjoy and interperate what I want. With that said, the simplicity of this is great. I remember some people saying the background could be mistaken for sky, but I don't see it. You've created some awesome free flowing(floating) hair, and it looks as though it is suspended in water. The resin also is a nice touch in your attempt to create a water effect.

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  4. really cool concept and use of materials. good execution of the view point and achieving the desired took without an easy way of obtaining the visual

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  5. It would have been great to see this presented in the way that you intended, submerged in water but it is still nice without it. However the resin, while functional, also adds a water like effect which is nice. I enjoy the idea behind this work, I think that often we over think things and make them way too complicated, but yours is just about relaxing and taking a moment to catch your breath. I think it would be nice if the water had more of an opacity and movement to it, it feels too static. It would have been nice to see more of you under the water, it feels just a bit odd that only part of you pops out and the rest can't be seen. The face is nicely rendered, with some really nice value changes.

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  6. I would have also liked to have seen this painting underwater, but the painting on its own is still very cool to look at. It might be the resin, but the face in this painting is a bit hansel and gretel witch of the woods. that actually did not bother me though since it was really interesting to look at because of that.

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  7. I also cannot help but want to see it submerged in water, such a creative idea. I like the resin on it and admire your guts in playing with the resin. Seems very tricky. Your painting style is beautiful and you captured the motion of submersion from the water. It gives me the feeling of "the moment before" the breath, and I feel like it creates a tension for me that make the piece that more engaging immediately. I think all your ideas are very creative and you take on a lot and I give you props.

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  8. I think your painting does exactly what you wanted. As a viewer I got that you like the water, and it makes you happy. When I first saw this, I laughed because you reminded me of how fun being in the water can be. It also made me miss summer and my kid pool. Great Job!

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  9. This is a fun painting to look at. And I'm glad your artist's statement reflects and encourages that.
    While I do think that in terms of deconstruction this piece would be better underwater, I think that it is also a strong piece on it's own. The main disadvantage is that when it is displayed vertically the idea of water is less apparent. In terms of the technical aspects of this painting, I think your work is good. I think adding more chromatic temperature variations would help a lot (I don't see any cool colors in your skin tones) Especially as your figure would be receding underwater, I think more atmospheric type perspective would really help strengthen the idea of being underwater.

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  10. The resin is a wonderful touch to this piece. For some it looks like your flying for me it looks like you are escaping from the abyss. The hair is render very well... i know you wanted to set this under water but I find that I may like this piece better without the water because it has the texture. The only thing i think would be nice to see on this piece would be a frame.

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  11. I love you application of resin within this piece, even though the waviness of the resin is not exactly what you were going for. From my perspective it seems like your being launched through the sky out of a cannon rather than underwater. I feel that if you hand included a light wash of blue in another layer completely, it would convey more that you are underwater.

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  12. Jasmen, I love this :)
    I love your statement; that sentiment definitely comes across in this piece. And I agree! I love to see artists capture such lightheartedness, and to be able to create it in such a way that it becomes contagious is truly impressive. The use of resin is so well executed that you captured the look and feel of water, and the rendering of yourself underneath it is fun both visually and emotionally. Truly awesome piece :)

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