Social Justice


The social justice I wanted to expose was the immorality of Animal Testing. I wanted to incorporate the human instead of a animal because of the fact that the response of many people to defend the testing on animals is that it benefits humans so it worth it and that they don't feel anything. They use animals for their own personal gain. Animal testing can easily be compared to the Holocaust. Humans feel as though they are dominant and everything they can manage to have power over should be used for themselves. Instead of using their power for the better good they are only concerned with making their lives better. Even in the Holocaust the "Superior Race" used the Minorities as test subjects just as they do now animals. if we see that as inhuman and a tragedy then what makes this any better? They took advantage of the weak in order to advance themselves. Isn't that what animal testing is also? Under the "Animal Testing" there is "Human Testing" reflected underneath it to represent how it would be if it was a human instead of an animal. And at the bottom it says, "If is was you would it still be worth it?" This makes the viewer think of what they would feel it it was them. That is what the "You" and "Worth" is in white instead of black. The eyes are red-ish pink because when you think of animal testing you first think of the albino rats with pink eyes. The person in the   middle is made up on a few different pictures to it looks a little deformed like many of the animals end up. I wanted the person to be looking straight forward so it would give a sense of intensity and seriousness of the situation.

Lots of Self Portrait

Eyes to the soul

This photo seems to by a favorite for a lot of people. I like that my head isn't upright like most pictures tend to be. And I think that a good understanding of color is present in this photo as well with the eyes and flowers. The color match up also creates a sense of unity within the piece and just a beautiful connection between the dead flowers and myself. Eyes are a very important part of most of my art because I feel as though the eyes are the passage way to the soul. You can always tell what someone is thinking and feeling through their eyes. my personal story with this picture is that the flowers were from my boy friend. i don't mean that they were bought. We actually were walking around town and every time he say a pretty flower he grabbed it and gave it to me. by the time we were back home I had a bunch. The flowers were a reminder of what an amazing day that was and to day by day see them withering away was a constant reminder of the changing of times and how easily life goes on by in a blink of an eye. I feel as though this photo displays a good use of the elements and principals of design with the use of color, unity, and rule of thirds.

Sticks And Stones.

I like the extreme asymmetry of this photo with the complete blackness to the right and the light to the left. It reminds me of a stone figure and I like that I didn't hide my flaws I let them become one with the photo. It also goes along with the stone theme of this picture as well. When someone says become hard as stone they mean basically ignore everyone and become emotionally stale and still. This in a lot of cases is when you ignore and tune out the opinions of others. These same opinions are the ones that are the main cause for unstable self confidence problems.

Hide In The Light

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CD Cover: The Best Budz

This is the CD cover that I did for my friend Maxwell Jensen's band called "The Best Budz". The first picture is the pan-flit and top cover that would be in the CD case. The main cover is the one to the right with the title on it. I made the letters for the title which is something i might change later on. It fits me as a person but I'm not sure if it was the best choice in reflecting the band. It seems slightly too edgy for their earthy relaxed happy style. And the image in the background is a picture of a flower that I took and edited primarily using the Curves effect tool on Photoshop. Unlike with the letters I am very happy with the backgrounds end result. One of the ways they explained what they were looking for was Lava lamp-ish which I believe is close to that. The middle section of the first image I am very happy with. The way i did it was with a picture of a hand holding a flower that i altered with the Curves tool again. Then I made multiple copies of it and combined them while messing with the opacity levels and the placement of the pictures. The third one to the far left is a picture that I took of leaves obviously. I liked this ine because they did describe themselves as earthy which is why I used this one and i felt it needed to have a green aspect to it as well because of the description. To be able to represent them as they want. I feel the composition of it is good with the rule of thirds, repetition and color. I made the letters for all of the CD cover. Thew last image at the bottom is the back page. It is the same picture as the second in the middle because I felt it needed something to pull it together in some matter. It is also changed with curves but different than the others. If I could change this I would switch this one with the one in the middle of the first image. Because generally CD covers have song titles on the back.

SELF PORTRAIT-ish 

This piece of artwork that I did has a lot of hidden meaning and symbolism within it. I would agree that it doesn't necessarily "look" like me; however, with the discolored face and the awkward angle, who would resemble themselves...? This idea started to emerge from my mind when I was getting my hair done last. If you don't already know, I dye my hair very different colors very often. From brown, brown with highlights and black underneath, light brown, bleached blonde, black, dark brown with blonde streaks in front, and then lastly red. Mind you this in in the span of two and a half years. When I get my hair done they sit you in a chair to wash the chemicals out and the chair keeps your head aimed high up but your body normal. While people were walking by I imagined what I must possibly look like at such of an odd angle as this. And while I was looking up all I had to look at were these lights on the ceiling. The lights looked like small spotlights. So from that I imagined what if all those mini spotlights turned on me, then how unusual would I look? That is the reasoning for the position, surroundings and intensified lighting. The many colors of hair is because of the many times i have dyed my hair. I figured out that the reason I dye my hair so often is because when I look into the mirror I like to not look like myself. I like to not recognize the person in the mirror. This is because of my lack of self confidence. That is also the reasoning for the slicing of the art work. I always examine myself and take myself apart to the point where I'm left in pieces. Shambles perhaps. This is almost a full body self portrait other than my feet being missing. Which then meets that requirement. The other requirement was to make sure there was figure ground relationship which this is lacking. The chair and colors of hair do make part of surroundings; however, I feel as though that aspect could have been accomplished more efficiently. This is a mixture of chalk and oil pastel and also charcoal. Over all I feel as though I am happy with the results.

the insane ten.

So we had to create ten pieces in a week based around a word that we were given. My word was "Stretch". I went pretty abstract for this project and enjoyed doing it. I learned that there are many different ways to look at something. Many different interpretations. This project made me learn how to see things differently and not to always think only in my first thoughts and expand past my first ideas and let my mind see other possibilities. My time management was better than my norm, however; it still wasn't all that great. I did not wait to do them all the night before but I did leave about three for the night before. The fetus painting was I think my second favorite. It is made up of paint and plastic wrap. My first favorite is the water color one. The reason is was my favorite was because it was taking the word but using a subconscious way of thinking to create it. I sat down and cleared my mind then said the word and the first textures, colors and shapes that popped into my head I painted. Then I ripped it all up and combined them. I used oil pastels, acrylic paint, plastic wrap, water color pencils and sketch and wash.

Adventure Number Eight.

Well this adventure took place at my best friends house. I have been there many times but for some reason I didn't see all of the amazing possibilities until a camera was in my hand. Her grandma has soo many interesting decorations. Things you don't see every day. So for a good 30 min. all I did was photo rape her home. Every little decoration and nicnak I took pictures of. It was quite amazing the collection her grandma has. I will put pictures up soon:)

Adventure Number Seven.

Fate brought Dint Sweitzer into my life this summer. A life changing person this woman was. There was this art thing for little children on Pewaukee Lake and one of my friends asked me to help volunteer. So I went expecting to just paint faces or something. Well while I was there they had pretty much nothing for me to so I was drawing with chalk in hopes to maybe influence some children to join me. And Dint Sweitzer had her paintings set up on a table for people to see. And these paintings seemed to catch my interest for they had a twist to them. They were portraits but with real jewelry and real scarves attached. I've been having strange dreams of paintings such as this with a 3D aspect to them. My dreams in many cases intertwine with what is going to happen in the future. Whether it is my boyfriend's little sister having friends over, getting dumped for someone else or seeing my death. But after seeing her paintings I knew I had to talk to her to find out if there is any meaning and connection between the two.So I went over to get a closer look. She was excited to be able to talk about her work and we ended up talking for a little under an hour. We basically talked about our artistic journey and it was amazing to see this elderly lady that has more experience that I do years express the same exact struggles that I've been going through. This was just after my experience with the pre-college MIAD classes and I was somewhat artistically depressed. And to hear her say that she is still going through those same stages even after all these years made me feel better. For I was not alone. Granted that could be seen as something somewhat depressing because that means it will never end but at least I know it's not just me. She also told me about the Art Crawl event that was taking place in Waukesha on Main St. If it wasn't for her telling me about it that would have been an experience I would have missed. (Art Crawl is adventure number eight) So going to this thing for children brought an unexpected friend into my life and also gave answers to my dreams and on top of all that led me to another wonderful art filled adventure.

Adventure Number Six.

Well my sixth adventure of this summer took place at the Cave of the Mounds. And well a very important lesson this adventure taught me was to always bring my camera. The reason I didn't was because I assumed that it would be another typical day by my fathers house but instead something else was in store for me. The cave of the mounds is something I would advise anyone to go experience for themselves. It takes you into another world. It is an under ground cave with all these amazing stalactites and stalagmites. This cave is obviously naturally dark but with the scattered lights placed it made me stop and think how I always seem to paint things in the same lighting. If its ever outside I paint the perfect kind of sunny day. So that got me thinking of an idea that I haven't really ventured in much or if at all. I usually end up using lots of color. But with the absence of light that would cause an absence of color. And something else that was very interesting about being in this other worldly feeling place was how it was naturally monochromatic. Which also inspired me to try to incorporate this into my art. And on the side of all that, another reason why I should have had my camera was because of all the wonderful flowers that the above ground had. It was just amazing to see. Above and underground and how completely opposite the two were from the bright vibrant light filled color all the way to the one toned darkness of the cave.


Fun experience. :)

Adventure Number Five.

I attended an exhibit called MIX at the Tenth Street Theatre. It was quite an inspirational time for me even though it was short lived. All of the art was beautiful but that wasn't even the part that I enjoyed the most. My high school art teacher Mrs. Bjork was one of the artists showing their work. For me it brought a sense of reality back to art that I've been missing lately. I was able to see the person that I look up to and learn from on the other side of the fence. I was able to meet her mentor. And seeing her so excited about being able to show off all her hard work made me excited. This was a simple, however; life changing experience for me. It made me realize how much I would love to possibly be an art teacher in the future. I would love to be an inspiration to young artists just as she is to me. I want to be there to show them that a future in art is not far fetched. That it isn't an unreachable goal. And seeing those artists so excited about having their work on display was living proof that art can be in my future. And that my future is art.

Adventure Number Four.

While I was at MIAD my drawing teacher talked to each of us one last time about our work before we left. And this is pretty much what he said..

"Amber, people need to tell you more often that you are not good enough. You need to work harder and push yourself more. I feel as though you don't even try. You're not living up to you potenal. I think you know your better than a lot of others so you feel no reason to try"

And after that a lot of different emotions were taking over myself. I felt as though I was doing really well and I was trying the hardest I could. But yet he said I wasn't at all.

I was angry.
I was offended.
I was sad.
I was torn.

But through all that I realized that maybe it was a good thing. That maybe it because he could see that I can do great things. And it was his twisted way to bring those great things closer to reality. By breaking me to build me back up in a better way. To tear my down now when I'm still growing to make me stronger that way when someone else does the same i'm prepared. Odd motivation. Tough love in a way.

Adventure Number Three.

The painting class was difficult to enjoy at times mainly based on the heat. It was so hot in that room it was unbarable.

 But other than that aspect I actually really liked it. The first two paintings we did were rather boring but I learned how to dlend the paint better, how to make my own black, and the amazing differences that cool and warm create. I also learned to enjoy water colors much more. And that retarder and palate paper are my two best friends.

Adventure Number Two.

MIAD!

My wonderful pre college adventure. Well as some of you may already know, it was two weeks long. And for the first week I had absolutly no friends. Because I am socially challenged. But I can definetly add the possible excuse being that I decided not to dorm there so the making friends process was made twice as hard. But then I ended up making lots of friends and two that I continue to remain in contact with^^

But anyways. Basically everything I hate about drawing and painting we seemed to be completly focused on almost the entire two weeks. Cool dude.

I had to draw myself with my eyes closed and only touching my face.(even harder than it sounds)
I had to draw with chalk taped to a two foot stick on to a huge piece of paper on the ground.(not easy)
I had to draw other people but only their shadows.(no outlines)
I had to draw other people with out looking at my paper or lifting my pencil.(never turns out.)
I had to draw a persons face but backwards.(darken the whole paper..and start with erasing the highlights than the shadows darkening)

I hated every moment of that stuff...But I do realize that I learned a lot from it.
I learned to stop with concentrating on only outlines and start working from within.
I learned to really understand what I am looking at and not what I just wat to see.

Adventure number one.

The wonderful procrastination monster has taken over my entire being. (Yes, that is an excuse.) So I definetly without a doubt in my mind have let this avoiding process go on long enough. So time to make up for some lost time...

Well I went swimming numorus of times this summer and I caught myself being drawn in by the easily overlooked amazingness waiting to be seen within reflections. We go through out our normal days without even thinking twice about reflections. But something about them just put me into an artistic trance. And by that I mean my mind just ran though the amazing possibilites that await. Inspired I was. And from this inspriration I want to be able to see the world in a different way. Just as the reflections do. I want my art work to capture something no one normally sees.

(Ignore any spelling or grammer mistakes)