shitty sculptures

I'm making a shitty sculpture because its been a shitty week in the studio. I'm apologizing in advance for you all having to look at it in the upcoming crit.....



but i guess i get a little pleasure out of it....

Critiques

(I dug up some old notes on critique etiquette.  Can we add to or otherwise improve this list?)


Critiques are a time for:

• feedback, not judgment
• suspending egos (of the artist and reviewers)
• patience to understand the artist’s goals and give suggestions on how to meet them (not just how to tailor the project to the reviewer’s taste)
• artists to reconsider their art in a larger context

A bad critique:

• uses phrases such as “don’t like” or “like” without using solid examples and relating them to the artist’s goals (false and empty compliments are as pernicious as personal attacks)
• fails to allow every reviewer a chance to speak or ask questions
• has reviewers who disrespect or belittle each other’s statements
• is vague or involves blanket judgments
• has inattentive reviewers
• gets personal
• has an artist who isn’t ready to consider advice or grow

Suggestions for reviewers:

• Voice opinions as questions whenever reasonable. This helps keep everyone’s focus on eliciting information and avoiding defensiveness.
• If an intuitive appreciation for the artwork is all you have to offer, at least identify what element draws you to it.
• You can respect an artwork even if you don’t like it at all.

Suggestions for artists:

• Ask specific questions for the audience.
• Take notes.
• Even if you don’t like a response or suggestion, consider it later.  Thinking it over doesn’t mean you have to act on it.
• Remember that the only reason for a critique is to help you grow.

student's thaumotrope

(no) Vacancy in my mind

Hey all, it's great to see some work and hear a few words from everyone! Here are a couple pictures of what I've been working on recently: 

As part of a series of videos that I'm working on with Dan (Reidy), I was remaking a scene from the Seventh Seal, featuring myself as both characters (the Knight and Death). I started trying to learn how to use Adobe After Effects to achieve this effect. 

I've also been using a dremel to carve a wood chess set. I have all of the pieces roughly done, but have lots of details and finishing work to do still. 

teaching assistant positions

So as you've all read in the oh so polite email from Dean Christopher Sharrock, there is no longer a teaching assistant program for us.

I'm trying to get letters from those interested in keeping it going. Letters to Sharrock pertaining to the importance of having such a program, what it does for us, the teachers involved, and even the undergraduate students.

I know some of you, in particular stories I have heard from painting students, have not had such a great time. I'm sorry to hear that as mine is going pretty well. If you guys are willing to write a letter in favor of the teaching assistant positions I urge you to the need for more structure as well as the importance of such positions.

The more letters we have the less the Dean can ignore us. I've even asked my teachers to write a letter.

I hope it can continue. I've found that I am learning a lot about my own practice as an artist through watching and advising students. I hope we can all have that.

If you guys want to send it to me and I will hand them all in together or you can email the dean at csharrock@uarts.edu.

If you are willing, can you please ask your teacher you are working with also. I'm hoping about 10 or so letters will get to him.

Not a sound you expect to hear

I went to a glassblowers' show yesterday, and saw one piece that reminded me of Joe Bliss's lottery cards.  I had a chance to talk to the artist, though, and his mind games were significantly less philosophical.  Joe wins!

Very very very very...

VERY early stages of this painting.
I recently start collaging..I'm pretty obsessed with it. It's a lot different from what I've been doing, but I think I'm on to something new..
I haven't decided if I should paint that woman or honestly just glue the photo on there. any feedback is appreciated!

Hope everyone's doing well :D