Part 1: Art Creation
Select one of the visual art pieces from Chapters 1-6 or the lessons from Weeks 1-3 to use as a point of inspiration. Create a painting, sculpture, drawing or work of architecture inspired by your selected art piece.
Part 2: Reflection
Write a reflection about the relationship between your art production and the inspiration piece. Include the following in the reflection paper:
- Introduction
- Inspiration Piece
- Include image.
- Record the title, artist, year, and place of origin.
- Briefly explain the background of the inspiration piece.
- Your Art Piece
- Include image.
- Provide a title.
- Explain the background of your piece.
- Connection
- Explain the thematic connection between the two pieces.
- How are they similar and different?
- Are they the same medium? How does the medium impact what the viewer experiences?
- How do the formal elements of design compare to one another?
Original Artwork Requirements
- Methods: paint, watercolor, pencil, crayon, marker, collage, clay, metal, or wood (Check with your instructor about other methods you have in mind.)
- No computer-generated pieces
- Your assignment is not graded on your skill or ability as an artist.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
- Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page, references page, or image of artwork)
- 1-inch margins
- Double spaced
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Title page
- References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source)
Assignment Week 3. Choose an artwork, then create an original artwork inspired by it and write a critique of 1.5-2 pages about it and the work that inspired you.
Choose an artwork from chapters 1-6 that inspires you. Then create an original artwork in painting, sculpture or drawing. Write a critique of your artwork and its connection to the artwork you selected. Provide background information about the artist you selected and the significance of the artwork. Include illustrations of both the artwork from the textbook and the original artwork you create. Explain a common theme between them. Please see the assigned chapter readings in Martin & Jacobus for new terms, such as the formal elements. Also, the media of your inspiration piece and your own artwork do not have to be the same. Use painting, drawing, sculpture or collage only. No photography. Media refers to what the artwork is made out of, i.e. watercolor on paper. Compare the formal elements and explain how you are inspired by the artwork you selected. For more information on the visual elements see: Understanding Formal Analysis (getty.edu)
Introduction
Art has always been a medium of expression, carrying messages and emotions through various forms and styles. In this assignment, I chose to draw inspiration from Vincent van Gogh’s iconic painting “Starry Night” for my original artwork. This reflection explores the relationship between van Gogh’s masterpiece and my own creation, delving into their thematic connections, similarities, and differences.
Inspiration Piece
Title: Starry Night
Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Year: 1889
Place of Origin: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is a renowned masterpiece of Post-Impressionism. Painted in 1889 during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, this work captures the turbulent yet mesmerizing night sky over the small French town. The swirling patterns of the stars and the crescent moon, juxtaposed with the tranquil village below, create a sense of movement and dynamism that is characteristic of van Gogh’s unique style.
My Art Piece
Title: Midnight Reverie
[Image of artwork]
For my original artwork, “Midnight Reverie,” I chose to create a charcoal drawing on textured paper. The piece depicts a solitary figure gazing up at the night sky, lost in contemplation amidst a landscape reminiscent of van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” The figure’s posture suggests a sense of wonder and introspection, mirroring the emotional depth conveyed in van Gogh’s painting.
Connection
The thematic connection between “Starry Night” and “Midnight Reverie” lies in their exploration of the night sky as a source of inspiration and contemplation. Both artworks capture the beauty and mystery of the cosmos, inviting viewers to ponder their place in the universe. While van Gogh’s painting focuses on the celestial spectacle itself, my artwork shifts the perspective to emphasize the human experience of awe and wonder.
Although “Starry Night” and “Midnight Reverie” are different in terms of medium and composition, they share a common theme of transcendent beauty and existential reflection. While van Gogh’s use of bold colors and expressive brushwork evokes a sense of energy and movement, my charcoal drawing employs subtle tonal variations to convey a mood of quiet introspection.
In terms of formal elements, both artworks utilize line, shape, and composition to create visual interest and convey meaning. Van Gogh’s swirling brushstrokes and rhythmic patterns evoke a sense of dynamism and depth, while my drawing employs hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create texture and shading. Despite these differences in technique, both artworks effectively capture the ethereal quality of the night sky and the emotional resonance it evokes in the viewer.
Overall, my artwork “Midnight Reverie” pays homage to van Gogh’s “Starry Night” while offering a unique interpretation of its themes and motifs. Through careful attention to composition and detail, I sought to capture the timeless beauty and existential significance of the night sky, inviting viewers to embark on their own journey of contemplation and wonder.