Concept Development
Progress Pictures
My Final Painting
My Written Rationale
For this final project, I chose to explore the Space and Place theme. I was drawn to this theme because, as I spend time in the neighbourhood I grew up in, I’m constantly confronted with happy memories and how my life has changed. These changes are not always bad, but they make me very sentimental about the little person I used to be and what was special to me. The place that I chose to capture is the playground at my old elementary school, a few blocks away from my family’s home. Even before I was a student, I spent a lot of time playing there before and after school, waiting for my brothers. My favourite thing on the playground was the monkey bars. I spent so much time perfecting my routine and trying out the different types and heights. In all, the playground is a special place to me because of the times that I spent there conquering a challenge, and because of the school. Everything on the school grounds reminds me of the magic I felt as a young student wandering the halls and playing outside.
The main idea/feeling I wanted to convey was the nostalgia I feel, along with the sense of change that comes with growing up. My inspiration came from the two images below. One is of myself on the monkey bars when I was little, and the other is a picture that I took of the same place last week. Using acrylic paint and collage as my mediums, I painted the scene as I remembered it, with lush green grass and full trees; then I pasted fragments of its present state. I then used paint to match up the composition and colours. Finally, I added a cutout of my young self on the monkey bars going from one side to the other. I loved using collage as a technique for this project because I think it added a great sense of depth and intrigue to the composition. It also worked well as an amplifier for my chosen idea of change and nostalgia.
I changed some things in the painting’s composition compared to its actual nature. Firstly, I replaced the gravel field with grass. I thought that grass would add more depth and interest to the painting as well as capture the flourishing feeling I was going for. I also decided to paint in two children playing with a ball in the background. This is a nod to my older brothers who could often be found playing soccer while I was swinging on the monkey bars.
While learning about the Space and Place theme, I was very interested in Claude Monet’s painting, “The Thames at Westminster”. I like the colour palette of the painting. It feels very cohesive and calming. I also really like the different elements that can be uncovered in the distance.
While I was inspired by the opportunity to use collage, I had concerns about how to make sure it enhanced the composition of my painting. First, I had to decide where to use it and how much. I didn’t want the collage to take up too much of the painting because acrylic paint was my main medium. I decided to use it in a few places in the background, then again for the focal point of the painting. I also had to decide whether or not to simply paste the pictures on or try to blend them in. I matched the compositions up the best I could, but I thought it would be best to use paint to really make the pictures a part of my piece. I was also worried about mixing colours to match the pictures, and making sure that the colours from the pictures and the rest of my painting were cohesive. In the end, I think the pictures matched very well to the colours I mixed, and I think choosing to blend in the pictures helped.
My Painting Progress and Growth in this Course
My view of painting has changed from thinking that it is something difficult and stressful to a relaxing and enriching experience. Before starting this course, I was very intimidated because when I thought of painting, I thought of the amazing pieces you might find in a museum or a gallery. After practicing techniques, exercising my creativity, and learning about painting genres, I know that painting is for everyone, regardless of experience or skill. I have definitely enjoyed improving upon my painting skills and learning more so that I am more informed in the future when I pick up a paintbrush.
My main growth these past few weeks has been through the practice of techniques and exploration of art theories. There are so many things that I notice in paintings, like value, composition, and contrast, that I never thought of critically until I had the opportunity to play around with them in my own pieces. Once again, the opportunity to practice painting techniques and work towards a theme or meaning in my pieces was what helped me grow the most and gave me confidence in my painting skills.
