As far as techniques go, I used my standard digital collage techniques.  I used a bunch of textures for each image and combined them and manipulated them so that the color and feel of them somewhat reflect the element and it’s nature.  Much of my art is texture based and abstract, and that is a good reflection of me and my personality as well.

In the beginning of the class I really wanted to try new things that I hadn’t had a chance to try before.  I really like that we were able to experiment, although some of mine did not turn out as well, now I know what not to do!

I wanted these images for my final project to be funky, have a repetitive aspect to them be geometric and colorful.  I do believe that I have succeeded in that aspect.  I am truly happy with how my images are turning out.  I plan to frame them in minimalistic, simple black frames.  The main thing I still need to figure out is what my “energy” source will be to connect all of the frames.  I want something that lights up, so possibly some LED lights strung between each frame.  Hopefully the lights will run on a battery so that there is no unappealing cord hanging.  This will also make them more portable since they will not need to be near an outlet.

These images will be digital collages and will deal with scanned images, photography and textures.

There will be four (4) images, one for each state of matter. Possibly printed on different papers to better reflect that individual state.

***This is totally fitting since I started out college as a science major .

WELL……my collages did not transfer, even when I tried redoing them for the project revision. I tried sanded wood, smooth wood, modge podge, hand sanitizer, etc…  I am so frustrated that my textures turned out barely transferred and they all looked exactly the same even though they were COMPLETELY different.  I don’t know what I was doing wrong when transferring, I followed directions and tutorials to no avail.

I really wish I had a successful turnout, because I think these mixed media pieces would have been awesome. 

Since my initial idea did not go over very well, I decided to play more with my layered texture collages.  My goal is to turn these into a mixed media project ontop of the alternative printing.  Instead of printing my testures on standard paper, I think printing them on wood or heavily textured fabric or paper would add another dimension to them.  In addition to printing them on the alternative texture, I would like to add another aspect such as paint, or something that will create some more texture on top and then paint on that.  My layered texture collages are on another page on my blog.  Here are some works from other artists that are my inspiration and or I like the look of them. (it was not allowing me to put the image directly into the post so here are the urls).

http://susangoldsmith.net/category/mixed/page/2/

http://printmakingwithoutapress.blogspot.com/2011/03/mixed-media-prints-on-shibori-dyed.html

http://www.deborahfriedman.com/contact.html

http://artforstart.deviantart.com/art/Texture-19-mixed-media-PAINT-285932409

http://angelandspot.deviantart.com/art/Mixed-Media-Texture-293151469

**************Update. Forget everything that was said above. Starting from scratch. fjanjo.hbka.soidg’asi/lk

I am MUCH happier with how this revised version looks than what I originally showed in class on Thursday.  Figuring out and researching what a real, actual sunflower bud looked like was definitely key to making my images look complete.  I really did take all of Kim’s suggestions and implement them into my image.

My whole goal was to make one image but present it in a non traditional way that was also a work of art.  :)

 This is the look I want. I just need to figure out the “story” that I am telling. I don’t want characters, I almost want to show a process instead of  a story. I’m getting so frustrated!

I would like my images to keep the abstract collage, textural look that my work offers.  I am struggling on how to incorporate the right story into that, or come up with a narrative that lends itself to my work.  Right now I’m thinking of growth or blooming of a flower.  It would start from the seed and the plant would grow and flower would bloom at the end.  If anyone has any ideas of a better story for me, by all means…do tell!

Normally my artwork is about myself or is based off a memory that I have. I usually do not create work that is a “story,” so this is new for me.

**I realize these examples aren’t the most amazing, but hopefully the concept will be conveyed.

I enjoy the work of these artists:

http://eydilampasona.com/  - Eydi’s work reminds me of my own, except she uses mixed media whereas mine is completely digital.   I think it would be fun to create a work like my abstract texture collages using mixed media.

http://carolleigh.net/MontageAbstracts/Photomontage%20Abstracts/index.html  -  I also enjoy these very much.  They remind me of my own and also future works I would like to create.

My artistic goals for the class are to create more abstract collages but use some new techniques in the process.  I would really like for my work to be made with the idea that it will be printed and used in some aspect of interior design. That may be a print on a canvas, a print on fabric and made into a pillow, prints made into coasters, etc…  I like art that I can see and is displayed everyday.  I like turning the mundane everyday objects or tools into art.