Artist in the City
Title: Artist, City in the Artist, Artist in the City
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 60.96 cm x 91.44 cm January 2016 Exhibit Text: Alicia Zepeda focuses on creating a triptych using acrylic on canvas based on an artist inspiration. She was influenced by Canadian artist Adam Lupton, also his use of combining realism and expressionism. This piece is intended to convey how others interpret her, how society affects her, and how she will affect the environment in the future. All aspects of this piece are self-made. |
Process
First, I wrote a list of ideas that reflected who I am as a person, how the environment has effected me and the people around me, and how I plan to impact the world around me, my future and where I want to go.
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Second, I created a few planning sketches that resembled my ideas listed.
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Before creating the paintings I took pictures of myself, and one was found online. I then used PicsArt to edit them.
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Then, I used the graphite transfer method to get the images on the canvas. Finally I began the painting process. I mostly used lighter and darker shades of one color to add texture in my face and clothing.
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Meaning Behind Piece
"Artist, City in the Artist, and Artist in the City" represents how others see me or perhaps what they think about me, as well as how social media has influenced me, and what I want to do in the future to help others. For "Artist" I wanted to create a piece that represents my personality. I am very selective about who I surround myself with and open up too. So, most people only see me as reserved or serious, but its because that's all I show. This side of me is represented in the "face mask" I am holding. While those who I let in, see that I am extremely out-going and loud, as well as kind hearted and caring towards others. This is represented in the smile on my face. For "City in the Artist" I did not want to use buildings, because in this generation teenagers live in a world inside their phones. So, I decided to show how social media has influenced me. There are many definitions of beauty, but social media holds beauty to high standards effecting how many girls feel about their appearance including me. I care a lot about my appearance, including what I wear, how my makeup looks, and having what's in style. I tend to spend a lot of money on clothes and makeup because without it I wouldn't feel as confident. Lastly, for "Artist in the City" I wanted to show the impact I will have on people. I did this by showing a girl receive plastic surgery, because in the future I want to become a Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon, so I can help others feel confident about their appearance.
Artist Inspiration
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My artistic inspiration was Canadian artist Adam Lupton. "He explores psychological and sociological struggles in modern society. Painting in oil, blurring lines between realism and expressionism helps Lupton probe the internal and external dialogue faced in his multi-directional narratives."
Website: http://alupton.com/about/ I was inspired by the themes and meanings behind his paintings as well as the style of how they are created. The first two paintings are apart of his "What's in store for me in the direction I don't take?" collection. While the last one was a school project. |
Reflection
I felt this piece was the most successful for me. Being the second time to stretch canvases, I did well and this time I applied the right amount of gesso the first time. Also, this time I applied a background paint coat which made the painting process much easier because not as much paint was being absorbed.