Positive vibes

Here's some shots of the little instalment I did in our school hall for my visual cultures course. The criteria was to create a positive sign or something that would encourage the viewer to be a better person.

thankfully the sun shun at the perfect time and looked really lovely when the class did the critque. 

here are some close ups of the little details. took me four hours to cut the boxes and fill them in agggh.

The following paragraphs are from the rational I submitted to my prof. :

       After watching the documentary Helvetica I began to view fonts in a different way. There was one comment in the film that mentioned that the font itself was created by looking at the spaces between the letters and the negative space around it. Rather than filling in the letters with paint/ink I chose to solely focus on the negative spaces around the letters and allowed the letter to somewhat emerge out of a box. It was extremely difficult to create the letters without filling in the letter itself but I found the end result to be quite appealing.

            The message I wanted to send across to the viewers of the sign was simple: “Get out of your comfort zone” and do something you usually would not imagine doing. I chose to have “Your Comfort Zone” written in a black circle to portray how our ‘safety bubbles’ or comfortable routines are boring, constraining, and limiting. One may feel like they’re doing the right thing or heading the right direction because they are so accustomed to that process (ex. Painting a certain way, keeping to themselves, or assuming particular roles). By making the phrase “Where the Magic Happens” in larger squares that included bright colours and various details I tried to illustrate the beauty of getting out of one’s ‘safe place’. I believe there is something undeniably lovely about trying something new and diving into the unknown because it is those times that one does the most growing as an individual. I simply wanted to showcase how doing something you’re not necessarily comfortable with can have a very positive ‘magical’ experience.

            In addition to the typography and the choice of the layout being visually appealing, I wanted the sign to be eye catching for students and faculty members passing by the sign. I chose the window on the second floor in the hallway that connects both the science and art wings together because I believe testing out new things applies to both fields (along with everyday life). Furthermore I’m hoping for the light to shine through the thin layers of water colour to give it a happy and somewhat whimsical/magical feel (like that of light shining through stained glass). If that fails to work then the idea of fresh air outside the windows will help add to the idea of ‘new things’ or a ‘fresh start’ which ties to the result of getting out of one’s comfort zone. I just really hope that the viewer’s make a connection to the beauty of doing something new even if it scares them.

affirmation

 i have the tendency to believe that my work isn't good enough. it may be due to the fact that i'm a perfectionist or maybe because i've only 'learned' how to paint/draw in these intro courses i've taking in university. i've always doodled and painted but nothing too big because i was always afraid of tackling such big empty spaces i'd always think "what if i screw up?" or "what if it doesn't look like i imagine it to be?". thankfully the two courses (painting 1 & 2) have helped me overcome those issues. last year i learned how to tackle what i thought then was a big canvas (ended up being about 26" X 36"?) and this year i tackled a 4 foot by 8 foot piece of plywood. it wasn't as scary as i had imagined, it was somewhat freeing and i think i'm addicted to larger surfaces now. anyways that went off on a tangent, basically i don't think i'm that great. i think the work i do to be mediocore because i don't exactly know how i do the things i do. but this month has just be confirmation in my talent lets say. my proffessor constantly mentions my brush strokes and to keep that movement- i honestly don't know how i do them i just do it and apparently it's pleasing to the eye. i've had classmates, friends, and even fourth year BFA students (one who rarely compliments a piece of work especially that of a first year-according to his girlfriend) complementing and admiring my painting. it's completely shocking to me, i just get overwhelmed with happiness when one person (outside of family) compliments my work and to have various people telling me i'm talented or simply gawking at my work is so soooo sooo just wonderful. i've had "wow!" "you painted that?!" "it's so beautiful" and i still can't quite filter it. today a peer came up to me in another class we have and said "i really loved your painting. it was one of my favourites out of the class" that just made my day. i just really needed that affirmation because i was getting discouraged. 

i pretty much just want to say thank you to all of you that have encouraged me with my paintings/photography it truly does mean a lot to me and i'm so grateful.

oh also, apparently my painting should go for $1000 (at least) according to a fellow student. that just blows my mind. i don't know if i'd sell my work though because i don't know who would purchase it...anyways yeah that's all.