So here's the deal, I have been very neglectful of my blogging habits this semester for etching. So, what I have decided to do is openly discuss each of the assignments. Sorry, I am afraid I don't have any visuals. But still though I think it could be fairly informative. I'll begin with assignment one.

This is the plate dealing with a certain aspect of the place that I found the most interesting. The chimney turned out quite nicely. What I really like about this house is just how broken it was. There seemed to be very little holding it up. What you might call "pillars" holding up the front porch roof seemed like they could cave in at any time. Looking at it in an artistic perspective, it's very interesting.

This is my plate for the sense of place. Rather content with how it came about.

I think that the scratch marks that are abundant on the plate really help to accentuate the mood of this old condemned house. Sort of spooky.

This is my first print for Etching 1!! First in a series of six at least. Exciting!! Anyway, I know that it needs some improvement. But I do not think it is that bad for a first print.

Final Blog, Final project:
I am very pleased with the way that the final project turned out. The flowery/coral reef like design that seemed to repeat throughout the piece, I think, turned out to be very successful. I was pleased that I definitely added in more collage with this piece than anything that I have worked on this semester. In fact, I was so inspired by this that I am determined to complete more additional oil paintings dealing with the same theme. The drawing shapes that seemed to happen very spontaneously. I think that it could be pretty compelling with oil paint.
I worked very hard on this project. A lot of time went into it, as well as patience. Something that I would like to add in as a kind of side note: Dealing with the absences for the class, I know that there is no excuse when you get down to it. However, I feel the need to plead my case. I worked my ass of on four large paintings for my painting class. Staying up until the wee hours of the morning finishing critical areas. I never once lost sight of what I wanted to do with my variable topics assignment. However, I knew that the paintings deserved immediate attention. I mean no offense in saying that.
I think that the final project is proof that so much was learned throughout the course:
1) More fluidity and less timidity in drawing
2) Deep understanding and interests in abstract thought
3) Stronger interest in what were once unknown artists to me, and the concepts that they explore in their work
4) Evolution of individual color theory
5) Spawning of creativity through the use of a sketchbook, For once I have really been diligent with keeping a sketchbook and realizing that not every page has to be covered from top to bottom. Sparity sometimes can speak in its own certain way.
To Barbara: I thank you so much for helping me to find myself I hope that my endeavours as a student have been well received. I have enjoyed our chats and sharing our individuality. Thanks again.

Exhausted......definitely working really hard!

"2nd Response to Final Project; Visual Experience"
Something that has been added as of now to the collage is a warm parchment like paper. Cutouts in the shape that is still a homage to Matisse are appearing throughout the murky water. Sort of like fish or something. I went back into the drawing to pull a lot of the initial shapes back that were lost with the charcoal smears. I resurrected the old forms with a new layer of India ink. The murkiness that I want to create as a sort of mood is still there, however I felt that more description was necessary. I still intend to keep the color within the greenish gray family.