Breadth; (noun)
• the distance from side to side of something; width
• wide range or extent
This section shows my range of experimental art-making mediums. Displayed in this order are: copper, brass, steel, silk screen, plastic, graphic design, weaving, ceramics, wood, wall mural, cyanotype, plaster, and glass.
Copper, Brass, & Steel
To create these jewelry pieces and wall decorations, I used a variety of metal techniques:
sawing, piercing, riveting, polishing, heat patina, chemical patina, bezel stone setting, soldering, welding, and my personal favorite - plasma cutting.
Silk Screen Print
Silk screen printing is a highly tedious process. Each ink color was applied to the cloth separately and required its own stencil, totalling six hand-cut stencils. At the very end, I decided to add an unexpected red. Triumphantly, I think it makes the whole piece pop.
Plastic
Using a scroll saw to cut sheet plastic and a heat gun to melt it into form, I created a tree-inspired lamp. Plastic is a material we come into contact with multiple times every day, but is relatively uncommon to use in art classrooms (unless it's an upcycling project).
Graphic Design
Displayed first are two posters used to promote mass meetings for two student orgs I was involved with. The illustrations are hand-drawn, scanned, and edited on Illustrator, and the poster was arranged on Photoshop. A similar process was used to create the next piece, which is a bit of sarcastic environmental activism explaining the pollution caused by modern industrial farming. Last displayed is a poster created to promote a Halloween party for the Ann Arbor co-op house I lived in (Luther). The challenge of graphic design is to present the most important information in an effective, hierarchical way.
Weaving
I have incredible respect for all weavers past, present, and future. Weaving is one of the most laborious and attentive art processes I've encountered. Some aspects I enjoyed were the textures, fabrics, patterns, history, and practicality.
Ceramics
Through ceramics, I used techniques of measuring clay, wedging, slab rolling, dip glazing and brush glazing. Most of my final pieces turned out looking horrific after being glazed, but isn't that surprise reveal all the fun of ceramics?
Wood
Two different hippy projects to unpack here. The first is an altar dedicated to trees. The altar contains a tree stump painted white, stencil-printed images, and a poem I wrote from the perspective of a deciduous tree changing through the seasons. The second has twistable knobs with 16 deep questions about life. Its intended to be interactive, engaging, and social. Every part of the sculpture is made of wood, while the prototype is made of cardboard.
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Wall Mural
While living in an Ann Arbor co-op, I had the honor of painting a mural on the kitchen wall. Inspired by the color, style, and function of the kitchen, this piece adds a much needed feeling of order and simplicity. It's photographed in its natural environment - no holding back, no cleaning up.
Cyanotype Print
With pre-made cyanotype paper, I used CDs and found objects to create a series inspired by music. Cyanotype paper is made up of a chemical composition (ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide). To create prints, you place objects on it and leave it in the sun for 2-20 minutes (depending on the sun's intensity) and then rinse it under cold water. The sunlight creates a chemical reaction on the uncovered parts of paper it can reach, turning it blue. The parts covered by objects, and therefore untouched by the sunlight, remain white.
Plaster
Plaster is a gorgeous material that I would like to work more with in the future. For this project, I created an incense holder with a carved wind-inspired design.
Glass
I've had the opportunity to work with glass through my aunt and uncle, who have a successful business selling homemade glass ornaments. At Christmas, they set up a station for our family to make our own ornaments. The last piece is one that I designed, cut, and placed together while visiting them.