concentration statement:

The focus of my art is to change the proportions of humans and human characteristics to create a convoluted scene. These unrealistic scenes are composed to make the viewer question the world of which they are observing. My ultimate goal is not to allow the viewer understand the world they are examining immediately, but rather to interpret their own idea of what is occurring. Each piece is constructed of magazine clippings, brought together and manipulated by photoshop. However, for some of my pieces I utilized my own photography to help further my overall vision of the piece I was creating. The principles and elements of art I focused on while creating each piece was rhythm, balance, shape and color. In my piece with the giant with kids running around on the table, it uses the aspect of rhythm to emphasize the movement that could be occurring in the scene, while also applying muted tones to emanate a vintage feel. In my yoyo fisherman piece, the abrupt line in the center gives the photo a symmetrical balance, while also establishing the appeal of a flat atmosphere. These guidelines assisted me in achieving my objective in each piece. Overall, I strive for the ideas presented in each piece to engulf the viewer in a sense of awe.

above photos are listed from left to right:

1. top left: "A Man in Deep Thought Wandering the Wheat Fields" (4.707"x7.36"); photoshop collage
2. top row middle: "The Universally Famous Car Salesman, Bob Salesman, Debuts His New Line of Cars to the News Channel: Space News" (5.023"x7.36"); photoshop collage
3. top row right: "A Woman Caught off Guard by a Photographer While Wandering the City on a Sunday Afternoon" (4.193"x6.67"); photoshop collage
4. second row right: "A Local Family Enjoys the Summer Weather on February 8, 1967" (7.36"x5.974"); photoshop collage
5. third row left: "A Church Picnic is Ruined by the Invasion of the Large Lady, Who Only Wants to Join in On the Fun" (3.857"x7.36"); photoshop collage
6. third row middle: "The Giants Watch the Small Children Play" (4.6"x6.67"); photoshop collage
7. third row right: "The Portal Between Dimensions Changes a Fishing Line into a Yoyo" (4.04"x10.267"); photoshop collage
8. fourth row left: "Don't Try to Run, Don't Try to Hide, They Always Know When You Lie" (6.36"x5.63"); photoshop collage
9. fifth row left: "Taking a Nap in the Sun" (6.427"x4.523"); photoshop collage
10. sixth row left: "The Mountain Couple in Search of Food Before The Snow Storm comes and Destroys Everything" (7.76"x11.0"); photoshop collage
11. sixth row middle: "A Man Tries to Eat, but the Pest Problem is Out of Control" (6.38"x9.7"); photoshop collage
12. sixth row right: "Planet Greebus" (5.69"x7.32"); photoshop collage

questions:

What are some of the most important skills you draw upon to create your work?

-Some important skills I have to use to make my work is using the principles and elements of art. I focus on color and manipulation of a situation to create my pieces. When I make my collages, I put things that I find interesting and combine them into one, using somewhat normal atmospheres and making them odd with the things in the foreground.

What are the most successful aspects of your work? Why do you believe it to be successful?

-My favorite pieces I have made are "Planet Greebus", and "The Giants Watch the Small Children Play". Those are my favorite and most successful pieces because of the simplicity of it, i didn't over complicate it and kept it fairly simple, something I like in an art piece. Other pieces like "A Local Family Enjoys the Summer Weather on February 8, 1967" I dislike, it looks too complicated with the background and the foreground and it makes it overall very busy and unpleasing to the eye.

What are some of the most significant things you learned through your AP Studio experience?

-I have learned what I like to do, and what I am drawn to with art. I was able to explore styles I never thought I would like, and it affected me positively in the long run. I also furthered my knowledge of photoshop, which will help me with any projects I want to accomplish in the future.

What advice would you give other artists coming into AP studio art to help them find success?

-Find a style you like and stick to it. Don't fall under unnecessary pressure of others telling you what you should do. Do what you like, and work hard to get better because it will make you happier with your results at the end of the year.