Event Title
Granddad Otis
Faculty Sponsor
Kathy Rodriguez
College(s)
College of Liberal Arts, Education & Human Development
Submission Type
Art
Description
For the past few years, I have been experimenting with different styles, mediums, and techniques to expand upon how I approach painting. So far my style has not been consistent, but I am more content with every painting I do after the last. My main focus has been large abstract portraits done by pallet knife, after being inspired by Joshua Miels. For my last semester of my senior year, I did a pallet knife portrait of great grandfather, Granddad Otis, as an independent study in art. Besides the background of the piece, which is tinted gesso, I smeared on heavy body acrylics with a pallet knife to create his face shape and depth. It was also an experiment with colors as I originally wanted the painting to be blue and grey, but the more I painted, the more tealy and burgundy appeared, which soon became my favorite color pallet. My favorite thing I noticed is that as I painted, the more I realized how the serious expression in the portrait was nowhere near as serious as it seemed. I’ve never met my Granddad Otis, but from spending a few weeks recreating his persona, I was able to see all of his smile lines like the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.
Granddad Otis
For the past few years, I have been experimenting with different styles, mediums, and techniques to expand upon how I approach painting. So far my style has not been consistent, but I am more content with every painting I do after the last. My main focus has been large abstract portraits done by pallet knife, after being inspired by Joshua Miels. For my last semester of my senior year, I did a pallet knife portrait of great grandfather, Granddad Otis, as an independent study in art. Besides the background of the piece, which is tinted gesso, I smeared on heavy body acrylics with a pallet knife to create his face shape and depth. It was also an experiment with colors as I originally wanted the painting to be blue and grey, but the more I painted, the more tealy and burgundy appeared, which soon became my favorite color pallet. My favorite thing I noticed is that as I painted, the more I realized how the serious expression in the portrait was nowhere near as serious as it seemed. I’ve never met my Granddad Otis, but from spending a few weeks recreating his persona, I was able to see all of his smile lines like the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.
Comments
2nd place, Art
2nd place, Tolmas Prize