"Evolving With Time" >>> Self Portrait Process

I completely changed my idea with the mannequin. When I first thought of this project, I was imagining a woman covered with sticks, like how I am holding them in the picture below. I was planning to place each stick about an inch apart, so you could see through to the other side. I was also going to weave ribbon through the sticks. But I talked to some other students about my idea, and processed all of my thoughts, and a new idea came to mind.

I am not going to cover it with any more sticks. In each of the opening of the mannequin I am going to hand leaves, rocks, and pinecones. Kind of alternate between them all, and display them as if it was a dress. I am going to bring ribbon and pearls in to the mannequin still, but I will do it with a different technique than I was planning. I am still planning it as I go, I am not 100% sure of what I am going to attach to her. I am just going to design it as I make her, and see what the outcome is.

"A Woman's Campfire" >>> Self Portrait Process

After a scarred hand and foot, I finally finished the branch outline of my mannequin. I am very pleased with how it is looking so far. It still looks like a mannequin! I have a big huge pile of sticks and leaves that will be used on the mannequin more and more. The top part of the body was harder to glue together than the bottom part. The top uses smaller branches than the bottom, so the glue and wire was a bit more difficult to hide. And as I was making it, I developed an excellent association with my personality. At this point, the mannequin is extremely fragile, and could break very easily. Which is like me, I am very emotional and I get hurt very easily, even with words. Also, What do you think of when you see a mannequin? beauty, perfection, and appearance? All of these things describe myself very well. Mannequins are always perefct, flaunting the best outfits in the store. And that is just how I am. I am a huge perfcetionist, always trying to be perfect. And it is a bit ironic because a mannequin is perfect, but the sticks to form the mannequin are not symmetrical, so it is trying to be perfect just like myself. And they are always showing off clothes, again like me. I try to be the best at everything I do, and I do not like when somebody has created something better than mine. I like challenges and making a huge effort at everything I do.

"Time For Textures" >>> Texture/Color Study Process

We began our project dealing with colors and textures today. I made a few samples of three different colors together and finally found out the three I like best. I also made my decision based on the variety of shades I had for each color. I am using browns, pinks, and blues for this project. I had tons of browns from my cubist paintings that I wanted to use. And I also had many blues and pinks, so I tested them out and loved the outcome of the paints together! I was going to originally use blues and greens, but as I looked around the room, everyone was using those colors, so I changed my mind!

These two textures are being created as I make other textures. the one on the left is where I wipe off my fingers by pushing my thumb in to the paper. And the one on the right os pressed against other textures, getting colors all over the place.

This is just a snapshot of some of the textures I made in class today. I tended to have a pattern of all of my textures. I just blotted many things that were covered in paint. So I started rubbing things down the page. They are all turning out very neat looking, but I am on a hunt for some more things to use in my textures!

"Coming Alive" >>> Self Portrait Process

My mannequin is going very good so far. It is just like I had been visioning it. The wire structure of it was finally complete, and it actually looks like a woman!

And I began gluing sticks onto the wire. Half way done with it, and I am thinking this part is the most time consuming. I also realized I hate hot glue guns! I think I burnt myself about twenty time. I might invent a cold glue gun!! But the tree branches are forming to her shape very well. I had to hun tfor a stick that would curve just like a real woman's body does.

"Ribbons and Pines" >>> Self Portrait Process

This very well could be the project I turn in for my self portrait. It is practically like a model of what the my "real project" is going to be. I was talking to Bill about my idea for my mannequin made out of sticks, and he came across an idea of using only a pine cone and ribbon, nothing more. So I made this really quick, in about five seconds, to show him the simplest of any project. I have processed my thoughts and have tried many different techniques and ideas for this self portrait project. But I am still in progress of my mannequin and sticks. This pine cone with ribbon is representing my final project. It will contain nature and a girly side of myself.

"Taking a Closer Look" >>> Self Portrait Process

I constructed my wire figure of the woman. Once she was nicely shaped, I placed her on the mannequin stand. And I noticed just a bit of a problem. The lady slides down the stand. I thought I made the exact measurement of the stand, but apparently my measurements were a bit larger. So I had to rethink about what I was going to do to be able to fix the neck of my woman.

I thought about wrapping more wire around it, with small arches connecting to the smaller circle. But then I thought of a better and quicker idea. I decided to glue cardboard to her neck! It holds her up at the right position now. She no longer sides down the stand.

Now my wire woman is made, and I have to begin hot gluing sticks to the wire.

"The Final Decision" >>> Self Portrait Process

After making a list of personality traits, drawing tons of sketches of other project ideas, and just thinking of millions more, I made my final decision.

I am planning to make a mannequin, like the one below. I am using it as a model so I know how big it needs to be to fit on the stand.

And I began the structure of her in class today. After talking to Bill and Kathy individually, i changed my original idea of the mannequin. First, i was going to make her out of cardboard, but I then realized cardboard is a material that is versatile, and also does not relate to my personality. So Kathy helped me process my thoughts, and I am planning to make the mannequin out of sticks, with wire helping to support it. It seems like it is going to be quite a challenge, but I do not like anything simple.

The mannequin will have two of my major personality traits:

I love nature and adventures, and being outdoors. I don't mind getting dirty and my dad always calls me "one of the guys".

But on the complete opposite side, I love to get dressed up and wear makeup. I care about the presentation of myself, and I like when things coordinate together.

If somebody were to look at me, they would consider me a city girl, by the way i talk, act and dress. But somebody that knows my true self, knows I am not afraid to break a nail, even if they are perfectly painted.

I am going to relate these two personalities into the mannequin, making them intertwine, just like they do in myself.