Arts Explorer #3: Fine Art Critique

This week our creative arts class had a field trip to the Art Gallery of Ontario. It was a very interesting opportunity for us as we were able to experience creativity in a different setting and were even provided strategies as to how to make experiences more interesting for future students. The work of art that caught my interest was the painting: Winter Woods 1915, by Lawren S. Harris.

My initial reaction was very positive as I felt like this scene was somewhat familiar. The image of pine trees covered in snow symbolized a very Canadian winter to me. I later learned that Lawren Harris was a member of the famous Group of Seven so he did focus mainly on the Lake Superior region and Canadian landscapes. I feel that Lawren Harris was trying to show the world how Canada looks during the winter months. This was relatable to me as I have lived in Canada all my life and have had my fair share of cold and snowy winters.

picture retrieved from: http://www.sivertson.com/images/products/big/1Winter.Woods.Harris.jpg

The most important element to me in the painting was the color as it made me feel relaxed. I found a sense of calm coolness towards the bottom of the painting mostly due to the cooler primary and secondary colors used. At the same time I felt a sense of rising warmth in the painting as the top of the landscape has warmer looking colors creating visible foliage through the snow, possibly due to the sun melting it away. This highlight reminded me of the very cold days of winter we are experiencing currently, because on bright sunny winter days the sky looks deceivingly warm and bright however it is still bitter cold. Another highlight of the painting was that it had many layers of paint which added texture and a realistic sense of layers of snow and ice on top of the trees. Finally the way in which the colors softly mixed reminded me of Canadian winters since snow literally falls everywhere and there are no limits as to where snow can fall in Ontario. Therefore it creates a type of mixing and covering of landscapes.

Art Word Of The Week: COLOR

I think color provides a visual sense of lightness or darkness to any object. Color does not have to be the same as there are many possible variations. Color has been put into categories and color wheels which describe it as warm, cool, primary, secondary, intermediate, neutral or complementary. Color is a very important aspect in everyday life as it is part of an individual's personality and it brings joy. Without color, our world would be boring.

 

Arts Explorer #2: Instant Sculpture

My instant sculpture took some thought since we had to use materials not intended for designing which was hard. I finally decided on using a package of pink bendable straws I had in my kitchen cupboard. After deciding to assemble the straws together, lining them up, I realized what my sculpture could end up being: a model of an outside lounge chair. Since the straws were bendable, I positioned them upwards to make the incline of the backrest. As I was hot gluing the straws I really started to enjoy my creation. In the summer I love to lounge outside in the sun on a deck chair, so creating this sculpture reflected a part of my personality and enjoyment. 

After gluing and bending the straws I realized my chair needed legs. I found two hair curlers and hot glued them to the bottom of the chair which raised it up for the legs. I also cut one curler in half to make a headrest on the back. I made arm rests by simply bending the straws into a triangle on each side. After the chair was created I decided to add a few more personal touches of my own, by using a small drink umbrella on the back and using a pencil eraser and cap as a drink. In the end I was very happy with my instant sculpture, considering I had no real idea at first. I was able to realize that as I went along, the initial creativity with the lines (straws) were able to lead me to a final product which resulted in a slight reflection of myself as well.

Art Word Of The Week: Line
I feel that a line is a continuous mark following along the same path. Lines can go in many directions and do not need to be straight. A line can be thin or wide, drawn or 3D, straight or curved. Lines can represent a type of order and direction, but at the same time they can go their own way and be creative.

Line designs related to my instant lounge chair sculpture this week, since the main shape of it was inspired by straight straw lines. In this case my lines were bendable and 3D however they still maintained a design order and ended up resembling a spontaneous lounge chair idea. I never would have thought it was possible to create a sculpture with straws but I have learned for future teaching activities that simple materials sometimes are the hardest creative challenges.

picture retrieved from: http://www.paulburwell.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bendy_straws.jpg

Arts Explorer #1: My Creative Inspiration

What Does Creativity Mean?

Creativity: to me, is adding your own personal touch. I see creativity as the ability to incorporate personal interests and desires for discovery into a process working alongside outside influences to find a unique end result. Creativity does not have specific rules or limits, it can occur through endless forms of talent.

In other words, creativity can alter an existing idea or trend to make it one's own. Here is a popular attraction, which many people pose with for a picture (usually appearing to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa...) however this man's creativity puts a spin on the existing idea and makes it his own.

retrieved from: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/399633119_fc6ec2eea3.jpg

My Creative Inspiration

       My personal inspiration is, and will always be music. Ever since I was young, I have always loved to sing and have enjoyed a wide variety of music. I took singing lessons for 8 years and participated in competitions and exams. Today I have less time to formally practice, however I listen to music everyday and sing along to all my favourite songs on the radio. Sharing my voice with others was a challenge for me since I was only comfortable singing for my family. Participating in singing helped me gain the confidence I still use today to present in front of larger groups. My unique hobby came into great use in both my child-based school placements as I was able to add music and songs into my activities. I plan to continue to use music as a great teaching strategy when working with children in the future.

      About a year ago I decided on two music notes for a tattoo behind my ear. I used creativity to make my inspirational love for music more unique and personal for myself. The tattoo literally symbolizes my permanent love for singing and music in my life.

my tattoo