Discussion 1: What is Art?

After going through the slide show and watching available videos on the nature of what
art is, I can’t help but feel more confused on the exact definition or the opinion I should have
been persuaded to have. To assess a piece of art I do agree that you have to include the artist’s
ability, their process, and the overall product. This is still such a broad scale I want to agree with
Milton Glaser from the “What is art? What is not? Youtube video provided by Big Think. His
explanation of art is using beauty as the device to lead a viewer to attentiveness. What is the
artist trying to bring attention to? Glaser proceeds to clear up things that don’t bring
attentiveness to the viewer as “not art”. Do I think that because of a piece of work doesn’t
bring attention about something that it is not art, no I don’t, but maybe the issue or message
trying to be expressed isn’t as bold as one thinks it should be.

In the video, “Why is Modern Art so Bad?” brought by Robert Florczak in my eyes is
probably one of the more close-minded and biased views on what art is. This art critic feels that
his knowledge is so vast in fine art that anything that doesn’t reach “visual excellence” is merely
impressionists being lazy and lacking true artistic ability. It really is unfortunate that one’s ego
could grow so big that they believe they could put criteria on expression.

The most influential video I watched was “What is Art For?” from the School of Life. The
video references the self and supernatural as means for making art. Art keeps a society hopeful
by providing beauty and something to look at aside of what your true reality might be. Art
balances the self by being an emotional outlet to things that maybe are hard to express in other
forms. Artmakese people less lonely by bringing those together through a different perspective.
I believe that art is what you truly feel, it is your inner self and a journey of self expression and
it is wrong for someone to label what is and isn’t art.
Discussion 2: Fav Media
Hello, my favorite art media that we have gone over in this module is watercolor. That is
the first medium that I experienced with so it always has a special connection with me.
Watercolor is a negative space medium to me so starting with that then moving onto acrylic is
kind of hard because the process is opposite. I follow a lot of art platforms and artists on social
media. Instagram is my main source and I have been able to discover a lot of interesting
creatives from it. Two of my favorite artists on Instagram are Greta Pasha (first photo attached)
and Jenna Rainey (second photo attached).

Greta uses collages that she makes then transfers them onto digital and creates further
that way. Her pieces aren't "titled" more just a collection of works. I like that she uses real
subjects but also combines an abstract factor. Greta's work is not traditional or what most
people are used to seeing and I think that's why I initially was attracted to it. Why be normal?
Jenna Rainey is an amazing botanical watercolor artist. Most of her work is used for
stationary or big statement pieces. This piece which she did as a promotion for Aqua Elite
brushes it absolutely stunning. Her color theory is great and I always love the happiness she
brings into her work. Jenna does a lot of process videos that you can always pick up on tips and
tricks. I like that although she is such a great watercolor artist, she isn't selfish about her talent.
I appreciate those that want to share the love for others rather than keeping it to themselves.

Discussion 3: Sharing Creative Art Project

 For my project I used charcoal pencils to sketch a figure that I had in my head. I
found a picture of me from 4th grade that looks somewhat similar to my drawing which I
thought was funny. I used an HB and a 2B pencil, also a little white colored pencil. I started with
the eyes, the best part and worked my way out-hair last. My method of shading was
crosshatching which I like. I chose to draw this because I think people are interesting and I really
like working with charcoal.

Discussion 4: Favorites from Ch 16, 17, and 18

I really enjoyed Chapter 17 focusing on the Renaissance portion of art. The Mantegna
Exhibition focused on French artists during this time period. The "Triumphs of Ceasar" is a
beautiful oil painting that shows how lavish Ceasar was living. Considering how successful he
was as a ruler it makes sense. This time period to me seems to focus a lot of power and wealth.
A lot of the art is done with oil paintings on canvas with superb detail.

"Triumphs of Ceasar"

By: Andrea Mantagna lived in a creative city in Italy known as Prada.

"Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermeer

Discussion 5: Lovin’ IT (Modern Art Periods)
 The Twentieth century holds a lot of interesting new ideas for art. I personally enjoyed
reading and visualizing modern art from the Dada and Surrealist periods. I can appreciate the
fantasy made up visuals of these pieces. Salvador Dali is an amazing painter sharing a world of
his own. I think that the Modern art period was the most crucial in history because it changed
the idea of what art should be and what it should look like. A lot of backlashes was present
towards artists that proved the boundaries of art breakable. The painting I attached is an
awesome Dali painting, depicting a fantasy machine animal.. very cool.

The styles of Dadaist art is cool for me because it is the first movement that went
"against art". Dadist opened the door for Surrealism. The time period that these art styles arose
was in a time of war and trial so to escape the horrors of everyday life, art was a way for a lot of
people to do this. The development of these styles has created an opportunity for a lot of
unorthodox expressionists to come to the scene. Art was changing into something I think
particularly high-class people could do and be involved in into a more welcoming playing field.