Project 1 Critique

I got very mixed feelings about this piece and that could very well be because I deliberately did not finish it so a lot of people had ideas of what to add to it to make it more complete and some said to leave it alone, it is successful the way it is. Those who said it did not look finished suggested filling the white corner so the eye doesn't involuntarily leave the piece. Professor Fichter suggested discovering a focal point and really communicating that focus to the audience because right now there are lots of interesting features, but they are seemingly unrelated or unfocused. Others said it was beautiful, they loved the white space and the intricacy of the strokes of the material.

I was very satisfied with the feedback I received. It was pretty much what I was expecting to hear, which I believe can be a good thing because it means the convictions you have about your piece communicate to the audience as well, and whatever you might do to improve the piece will hopefully also communicate well.

"Protector's Excursion"

This is a possible title I am thinking of for this piece and the direction I think I would like to take it in. Since my dog is a very large part of my path and really the only reason I can complete this particular path psychologically, I feel he should be the focal point. I am planning to explore Merlin (that's my dog's name) and his behaviors a bit more and see just how he interacts with his surroundings as he travels the path that I do.

Preface & Chapters 1-3 Summary

Art Lessons: Meditations on the Creative Life

Deborah J. Haynes

The preface went into why Dr. Haynes decided to write the book - it is a manifesto of her beliefs and values that she is not trying to push onto anyone, but has decided to write them to help others think about how one becomes an artist and about creativity. She has written it for several different types of audiences, such as those who are looking for new inspiration or those who are scholarly. She divided the book into three sections, forming a mind, disciplining the body, and cultivating spirit. Then she went into some detail about her past, to give us some background.

The first chapter ("The Artist") focused on the word artist and all of its associated meanings and how it can be attributed to different people by different cultures and philosophies.

The second chapter ("Aesthetic Education") focused on not just traditional education, but all kinds of education including self-teaching and apprenticeship that can begin as early as before we learn to read and write. She delved into what she believes are the five ingredients to education.

1. Learning how to write: through writing we learn more about ourselves.

2. Develop a relationship to a tradition: that is learn about cultures and history; history is important to understanding why we are the way we are today.

3. Technical skills and knowledge of materials: know what you will be working with and take the time to learn it.

4. Contemporary cultural theory: enter into the dialogue and understand how the creative process and trends are changing.

5. Know your audience: learn about them so you are able to reach them through your work.

The third chapter ("School") simply explained the important role different institutions played in the authors journey to becoming an artist, writer and professor at University.