Module Eleven - Blog: Video Review

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

The two videos that I chose were Matisse and Picasso and The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to the Present.  I chose them for no particular reason.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

I Learned about Goya and his art and how he became one of the fathers of modern art.  He went from having, what seemed to me, a cheery, bright style of artwork to a dark style that developed after he became deaf after an illness.  I also learned about surrealism.  Surrealism is a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images.  A Great surrealist was Salvatore Dali from Spain.  I learned a lot about Pablo Picasso that I have never known before as well.  It seemed to me that Matisse and Picasso were driven by each other amongst other things. 

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos were an extension of what was in the reading, adding to it.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I liked the films very much.  I have learned a lot of things about Picasso and Matisse that I never knew before and that was very interesting to me.  These films added to what I read from the book by putting it in examples so to speak.  I like that, taking what I have read and applying it to real life.

Module Ten - Blog: Video Review

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

There was no particular reason for my choices, but I selected the video on Hinduism and African Art.  I am glad that I chose these two because they were very interesting. 


2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Hindus can worship anywhere; it does not have to be in a temple or church.  They also have many gods and goddesses in which they worship.  Hindus believe that at the end of their life, we will all arrive at the same point and that there is a cycle of life and you are reincarnated until you obtain liberation.

African Art is important in tradition African rituals.  African art was unknown to the Europeans until the 19^th century.  It was interesting to learn that Africa art was considered primitive of child like to Europeans. Their artwork was displayed in their daily life; examples are in the tools they use, the masks they wear or on walls and doors.  African art objects were created to conjure a spirit and emerged as a carrier of magic and rituals. 

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos are an extension of what I have read.  They went into a little more detail in specific cultures on the meaning and spirituality of their art.


4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

Like always, I enjoy watching these videos.  They add a little extra interesting information on what I have read in the book.  Most of what I watch is new to me so watching the videos are pretty neat.

Module Ten- Art Making/Material Exploration Blog: Mask Making

1.   Upload the three (3) inspiration images to your Blog (or link to your Photobucket account). Explain why you selected the inspiration pieces.

 I have chosen these three pieces because I liked the color, texture and simplicity used all in their own unique way.


2. Include the analysis and description (art criticism steps) of the three (3) inspiration pieces.

In the first mask I see a simple plain white delicate mask.  It looks to have been made of some plaster and paint.  This mask reminds me of the ancient Chinese people and how they would paint their faces.  I think that this mask was maybe used for a celebration.

In the second mask I see a lot of beautiful colors painted with intricate detail.  This mask looks to have been made of maybe a combination of wood and plaster with paint.  This mask is what gave me the inspiration for my mask.  It reminds me of happiness and the sun. 

The last mask has a lot of bold colors.  It is made of wood, straw for hair, and paint.  I enjoyed this piece because it reminded me of some type of African tribal ritual ceremony. 



3. Upload images of your sketches and finished piece.

4. Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished mask.

I used pencil to sketch my mask and oil pastels for the color.  I shaded and combined colors to get the colors that I wanted for a specific spot.


5. Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask.

I have chosen the design for my mask because it reminds me of warmth and sunshine.  I thought it would be neat to create a mask for a ritual setting, like to call on the nice warm weather and bid good-bye to the cold frigid winter.  The hair would be like fire in the shape of petals and the face would be surrounded by what resembles the sun.  It was fun creating this once it got going.  I like my mask; I think that I did a pretty good job.

Module Nine - Blog: Video Reviews

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I have chosen The Drawings of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance because I thought it would be interesting to see and learn more about Michelangelo and da Vinci. 

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

In Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance, da Vinci was able to display density and transparency with his hatching effects.  Motion is made up of two natures; spiritual (result from the power of thought) and material (from the body).  I learned a lot about Leonardo but one thing that really took me by surprise was that he was not a sought after artist, he was known for not finishing his works, and that he was more than an artists; he was somewhat of an engineer/architect and like to build things.  It also took him until he was 50 years old to be respected and renowned.

In The Drawings of Michelangelo I learned about how the hatching and cross-hatching in his drawings give the sense of mass, such a difficult process to duplicate and master.  In the Sistine chapel was the greatest commission of his life.         Michelangelo was his worst critic and was always looking to perfect his drawing of the nude.

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos continue with what the readings have taught us. 

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I like the videos.  They are very interesting and stress what we have read in the book.  I really like watching them.

Module Nine - Art Making/Material Exploration Drawings - Exploring Line

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?

It was very interesting and different to use my hands as the subject matter for the drawing.

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?

I selected pencil for my media.  It just seemed a lot easier to work with rather than using charcoal.  I felt that it was more forgiving and easier to erase a mistake.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?

It was not so bad to draw with my left hand.  It was not as hard a I expected it to be.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?

Yes I do feel that they are successful studies.  I think that I did a decent job on both hands, better than I expected.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?

No, although it was not that difficult to do, it still felt weird.  I found myself going over and second-guessing a stroke I made or fixing it all together.  It was more time consuming to use my left hand. 

Hands by Stephanie Kelly