Artist Talk

Hi Mrs. Henstock! I originally planned to just say these out loud but under these circumstances you will find the answers to all your questions either listed below or incorporated into certain posts. :)

What effects me?
To be honest, I am probably a bad person because of this but I am not too effected by the political and economical situation of our time. Of course I know the current events and it may effect my life but I don't ever feel that it effects my art. However the current social and spiritual situation of our time usually does play a part in my work as I try to display my feelings on my spirituality or my opinion on today's society.

What is your purpose as an artist? How are you proceeding?
I believe my purpose as an artist is simply to express the beauty of God's creations as I love to capture people's faces and natural landscapes. These are the main things I focus on and I just continue by filling my sketchbook with portraits and painting landscapes. I do enjoy other styles of art but I find that continuing in this way is staying more true to who I am.

What is your next step after King's?
I am not pursuing an art career nor will I be taking any art courses in University but of course art will always be a passion of mine and I shall continue to paint and draw. Maybe one day I can do some freelancing but otherwise it shall remain more of a hobby.

Some Necessary Answers

My Medias: 
- Graphite on paper 
- Acrylic on canvas
- fabric  

Why I use them and how they relate to my concept:
I use graphite as I love it's simplicity. It is the most basic of basic art tools and yet is still great for creating my realistic pieces. It is easy and clean at creating value and soft shading but can also be used for precise lines, all with a variety of values.  

I use Acrylic paint as it is perfect for creating very detailed pieces in a short amount of time. Oil paint is also beautiful but it takes a long time to dry and is hazardous and so I prefer acrylic paint. I also enjoy the fact that I can layer acrylic paint unlike watercolour allowing me to just layer and layer until I reach my desired result.  

Finally I use fabric.... as clothes made of things other than fabric are probably not quite as comfortable. And I do try to make clothing that I could wear around.

I like to express realistic scenery and people in my work and that is why I use graphite and acrylic to be able to get every detail in a short amount of time. These materials mixed in with my ideas, result in my very soft impressionistic style of realism. I have a light hand with the graphite and I use a very natural hue of acrylic colors to add to that.

What is Christian art?

I believe christian art can really be anything. Most art depicts the beauty of something God has created so it is like praise. And if it does not depict a natural image then the talent itself needed to create the art was God given. Utilizing God's gift itself seems like you are creating Christian art.

My Favorite artist at the AGO

It probably isn't too big of a surprise for those who know me but of course my favorite artist is monet. For now and always.

But my favourite Monet paintings are not at the AGO and so I took the chance to explore other artists. 

I really enjoyed Florence Carlyle's The Tiff.

A beautiful piece. Oil on canvas. I enjoyed the emotion displayed through such a simple scene. I also love the texture; the brush strokes of this piece giving it such a soft feeling.
She is Canadian :) and had a modern style. All her other paintings reflect the same soft style and are also very beautiful. :)

Check this link out if you want to know see more of Carlyle:
http://www.city.woodstock.on.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161&Itemid=242

Sewing continued

This was originally part of my series but went unfinished for the longest time. But I finally completed it and here it is!

It is a long sleeved, white, lacy, victorian summer dress. Inspired by my favourite fashion era it has a very victorian neckline, with a lace choker, and is very proper with long sleeves. I made it knee length to keep it a bit more modern and more wearable for everyday. I used a very light white cotton so it would be very comfortable and cool in the summer but it does require a slip due to it's sheerness.

She just rocks it at the end haha.

Big thanks to my friend Ariel Murad for modelling my dress. :)

I like to Sew :P

I made this costume based on an anime character named "Sakura" from the show Naruto. 

This was made for a certain event and is good practice if you are perhaps interested in becoming a costume designer for movies as you would need to be able to replicate pieces from certain time periods.

Big thanks to my friend Miranda Carleton for modelling it below. 

(though she refused to wear the wig)

and though it may be hard to see there are a lot of smaller details put into this outfit to make it an exact replica. As you can see above I used grommets and buckles on either side and also included 3 zippers, clean hemming and decor. :)

My First Series

On a Path

12" x 16"

Acrylic on Canvas

Filled with nostalgia, I remind myself of a better time; my childhood surrounded by the beauty of nature. (but I'm not a boy)

Innocence

12" x 16"

Acrylic on Canvas

We are born as innocent children into a dark world and sometimes we lose our way. We need to remember to preserve our inner child.

My Artist Statement

Thinking of the past I'm surrounded by an air of wistfulness and nostalgia. I use graphite on paper, acrylic on canvas and fabric to create art; yet with a gentle touch to make it my own. Through this series I want to show a better time; an era of innocence, and what we need to remember. Oh how I miss being a child. :)

Juliet

11" x 8.5"

As you can probably tell I enjoy drawing realistically, specifically faces. I don't intend to pursue a career in art so this may come in handy one day if I become homeless and need to sell something on the streets :P.