Nugget

Sung Jin arrives in London 1 145.5x179 cm Inkjet on Canvas 2009

Sailor Moon 36x48 inches Acrylic on Canvas 2004

Almost Too Far Gone 122x183 cm Oil on Linen 2010

Amanda 18x36 inches Silkscreen 2000

Summoning her owls, she looked yonder. The buildings shone.194x259 cm Acrylic on Canvas 2007

1. Explain what it is you like about these 5 artworks (elements/common threads)

These artworks share many common elements. Firstly, they all employ a bold use of color. Some artists like Katz and Mosquera use more vivid and sold colors, while Shimomura, Opie and Takano keep it more pastel and use earthy tones. I also like the slightly cartoonish aspect of it as well. All of these artworks depict a real person, but painted like an illustration. This also goes well with my theme since I am trying to capture movie scenes with real people into a cartoonish piece.

2. What is it that these elements are expressing?

All of these pieces lie on a bridge between realism and cartoon. In some ways, what they are implying are also on that bridge. For instance, in Laura Mosquera's piece, the main subject, the girl, looks tired. She feels a bit wacky. The background behind the girl are comic-like stripes. But in the middle the same lines start doing something wacky, demonstrating the girl's, perhaps, mundane life. The same with Aya Takano's artwork. They are almost like doodles of an outer world, but they represent a very realistic issue in the world.

3. How could you take some of these strategies and apply them to your own work -- either in terms of media, formal qualities, and/or theme?

I would certainly like to incorporate some of the color schemes into my artwork. Also, the juxtaposition of some of the main subjects are very cleverly done. The other thing that I would like to add is some of the simplistic drawing styles that these artists work with. Also, many of them use acrylic paint so I would certainly like to experiment with that medium.

PART 3

1. Choose one artist and research what has influenced his or her work. If the artist is alive and has a website you should look at what they've written about their work. If the artist is not contemporary, then research what others have written about this artist.

I chose to research Julian Opie. Opie wanted to make art that could be displayed on billboards. He is "determined to bring his work to the people". He was not always enthusiastic about art though. "People said I should go to art school," he says, "which I thought was for losers." He did attend art school. He likes his art to be "very passive and very easy, which is something that appeals to me."

URL for pictures
http://www.gregkucera.com/shimomura/yellow_terror/content/Roger_Shimomura_paintings_8_large.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/LauraMosquera_AlmostTooFarGone_122x183cm_OilOnLinen_2010.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/2010-04-11.png

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9-b6DvzhfMk//1047212111bd01.jpg

http://www.perrotin.com/fiche.php?id_pop=12111&&idart=15&&dossier=Aya_Takano&&num=36&&p=3