Movements Forward
Digital Drawing and Silk Screen
91.44cm by 91.44 centimeters
November 9th, 2018
91.44cm by 91.44 centimeters
November 9th, 2018
Exhibition text
Movements forward symbolizes how Milwaukee's art scene has changed the way Milwaukee is perceived by others. This piece demonstrates how I think Milwaukee was changed by a community for the better. This was heavily inspired by three street artists that are well known for their works: Jon Stommel, Travis Czekalski, and NME.
Planning
Inspiration
When I found out that these pieces would be displayed on the front of the building for the whole community to see, I was already set on who I wanted to inspire this project. Street art is one of my favorite mediums due to the fact that it's out in the open for everyone to see and is often vivid. Street art is also known to be a hassle, given that it's considered "graffiti" and often times linked with vandalism. In addition, I admire the challenges street artists go through to make their work apparent. Murals adds to the aesthetic of the area in which it is painted, resulting in a more beautified community, another aspect I admire.
I've been following Jon Strommel and Travis Czekalski for a while now on social media. I admire the movement and bold colors they incorporate in their work. I find it completely astounding and intricate when I look at their work, even from afar. Therefore I knew I would base it off of their works. In addition, I needed an artist to inspire my line work. I did some research and I found NME (his street name). The lines he uses in his works are crisp and concise, something I wanted for my piece too. He uses crosshatching, which is another element I was set on incorporating into my work. |
Image one: Prescott Elementary, Jon Stommel and Travis Czekalski
Image Two: La Bonita, Jon Stommel and Travis Czekalski Image Three: "The Sky's The Limit", NME Image Four: "Power to the People", NME |
-“Prescott Elementary .” Rather Severe, www.rather-severe.com/#/prescott-elementary.
-“La Bonita .” Rather Severe, www.rather-severe.com/#/la-bonita.
-“About.” Rather Severe, www.rather-severe.com/about.
-“About Nme Biography | Street Artist.” Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies, Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies, www.streetartbio.com/nme.
-“La Bonita .” Rather Severe, www.rather-severe.com/#/la-bonita.
-“About.” Rather Severe, www.rather-severe.com/about.
-“About Nme Biography | Street Artist.” Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies, Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies, www.streetartbio.com/nme.
Planning Sketches
First off when I think of community, I think of people tied together closely, all sharing one similar interest. That's what sparked my idea of the united paper people. Then, I wanted to add what I contribute to my community, so the girl on the bottom is me. Then out of the paintbrush flows a bunch of Jon Stommel and Travis Czekalski's inspired work to symbolize my creativity pouring on them. I wanted my silk screen piece to be the paper people, but I later realized the screens provided for us aren't big enough and dis-guarded of the idea. In addition, there is a lot of blank space around "me" and I didn't really want that void in my piece.
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My second sketch was inspired what my mother always says about Milwaukee; "Fifteen years ago Milwaukee was an industrial town with no charm, and slowly it has blossomed into an artists dream." What she meant by that was almost two decades ago Milwaukee wasn't known much of anything apart from the crime and industrial architecture. Slowly, areas are being gentrified. This could mean restoration or even artists beautify the area. Present day, Milwaukee isn't known for it's crime rate, but overall beauty and as a hip area in the Midwest. I didn't use this sketch though because I didn't like the symmetry of the sketch and the layout of it. In addition, I wanted a picture of an abandoned building in the back, but I thought it would be a bit busy and be harsh for the eyes, so I opted for a solid color in my final piece.
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Lastly, I decided on a sketch for my digital art. I liked the asymmetry of the piece over the symmetry, so I chose to place the arms in different positions and locations. I had to be creative because guns aren't an option to display in front of a school, so I chose the flowers called "bleeding hearts". They represent the crime levels Milwaukee use to be known for. Under the arm there is a silk screen print of blood under. Then there are people of color reaching up with fists, representing the crime involving POC and crying, desperate faces due to their losses. On the other side is an artist that is holding a paintbrush that is "beautifying" Milwaukee and leaving behind what it once was known for. Not only is there asymmetry, but I tried to use organic and geometric shapes to balance the feeling of the drawing.
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