Final Projects

For my final I decided to do a series about nature. Nature has been a big part of my life and I enjoy every moment that I spend hiking or relaxing in nature. I made the series on photoshop. Each collage incorporates a personal photograph that I took when I went home, and also some of my favorite aspects of nature.

Melinda Steffy

Melinda Steffy spoke during our lecture series about the use of the internet to sell work. Steffy talked briefly about her work, which involves a lot of different materials and ideas. She said that she also has several other jobs that she needs in order to support herself. She said she has a day job on top of her studio art and exhibitions and free lance design and writing. To sell her art though she mostly uses Etsy. Steffy said that this is an invaluable resource for artists, and she personally has two different accounts on this website.

Superflex

Jacob Fenger, member of the Danish art group Superflex came to Tyler and gave I believe one of the most interesting lectures of the series. Fenger and his fellow group of artists have an interesting approach to art. They spread their influence in so many aspects of the world through their art. For instance they have made a company that gives out free beer, they made Guarana Power, a guarana berry soda that helps the farmers make money, and also they make bio gas systems in third world countries. Most of their art deals with appropriation, which is a subject I find extremely interesting and thought provoking, especially since we spend a lot of time talking about this issue in my other classes. Next year, Jacob Fenger and Superflex will be working on an installation, Phillagrafika, which delves further into pushing the boundaries of appropriation.

Silk Screen

Last week we silk screened during our class. It was so much fun, and I really enjoyed the process. For my image, I decided to make the image of the Venus Fly Trap. I think this plant is fascinating not only in its aesthetics but also in the way it functions. For this particular screening I chose to print on brown butcher paper, because I liked the natural feel it gave the image. I also printed on a nature print of beetles and several magazine pages.

Doug Bucci Lecture

The latest lecture in the series was by far the best. Doug Bucci, a jewelry designer and Tyler Instructor, came to speak to us about his field of work, and how he got to where he is today. I thought everything he had to say was extremely helpful. One of the most interesting thing I thought he said was that  being an artist is all about finding opportunities and seizing these opportunities. After graduating college, BFA from UARTS and MFA from Tyler, Bucci worked in the industry at Bailey Banks and Biddle until he had enough of a nest egg to start his own studio. From there he started his own business. Now he has designed jewelry from medals for Prince Andrew to bling for jackass stars. He has also collaborated with artist Jeff Koons and fashion designer Stella McCartney for a jewlery line based off of Koon's Rabbit.

Eileen Neff

Eileen Neff came to 2D Lecture to talk to us about her art. Neff works with photography and photoshop to make her pieces. One aspect of her art is taking a photograph and then blowing it up to a large scale and then making them a part of an installation. She also creates images using photoshop. Interesting abstract play begins to appear with her photoshop images. One thing Neff said that I found quite interesting was, "as young artist you must learn which happy accidents to go with, and which to put the side."

Photoshop Painting

Here is a painting I did on photoshop.