Hayden, Post 2

Recently I’ve been recreating family portraits on Photoshop and the process is making me very excited. I've decided to use the round, or oval, circle picture frames for my images because it feels more traditional.  I was working with tracing hands to use as a frame but it felt too distracting.  So I am sticking with ovals, and maybe squares, for these pieces.  I'm hoping to make 4 to 6 family units.

This series will feature mannequins to add a humanistic quality but remove identity, which is what I want.  I do not want the viewer to identify a family and associate them for who they may know them as but how a family member views them.  I’ve been borrowing peoples clothing, and other items, that they chose with meaning and intention to depict their family.  Such as the pink pinstripe shirt, this is representative of the characters career because it provokes thoughts of the vintage red and white pinstripe outfits nurses would wear.  The pinstripes also represent how this family member stays close to the norm, can be harsh at times, but is still nurturing through the pink color. 

With this image in particular I am trying to figure out how I want it to be printed, on matte or luster paper.

Another piece I’ve made I’m planning on reworking is the family unit based on my own.  After creating the one above I like the depth that the fabric created when crumpled.  The fabrics flat seem too stiff and lack dimension when laid flat.  Although this could be a way to represent a family, if it is the message I am trying to send.  I’m planning on redoing the fabrics for my family portrait.  I’m also considered adding my grandparents to the composition. 

 I visually like how the headless mannequins look in comparison to the ones with a face, but I am hoping for feedback on during critique.  

While I’m in the studio I work on my drawing and I’m starting to like it a lot more now that I’m coloring it.  I’ve been using pastels and ink so far, which is strange for me because pastels are a material I tend to stray from.  This is because it makes me think of 3^rd grade art class and bringing home drawings to my mom, but it is putting me out of my comfort zone.

I’m starting to embrace the idea of an installation piece.  I’ve brought up the wallpaper that Seth was donated to the art building.  I got a rug for my room for $5 and after I decide how, I plan on incorporating it into my work.