SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION 2023 - 2024
performing arts
Green Room
Black Pen, Watercolor and Gouache
September, 2023
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This piece is part of my Sustained Investigation about what it is like to grow up participating in performing arts. In this piece there is a depiction of what a theatre dressing room feels like. Because I wanted to show what it was like to feel unprepared and immature compared to the people around you, I used deeper warm colors on the girls around the girl in the middle. I gave her blue and pink to make her feel childish and out of place. -
Playing Pretend
Watercolor Paints
October, 2023
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This painting highlights the effect of the marketing of performances to aspiring artists. To represent the hope of young dreamers I painted two dancers, one advertised on the billboard and one dancing underneath. The painting is moonlit to make it seem more dreamy and is by a road out in almost the middle of nowhere.
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Carrying Tunes
Watercolor and Gouache Paints
September, 2023
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I drew three people getting together to play music. They are holding their instruments and talking about what they are playing. This piece shows the collaboration that goes into making music
Tomatoes
Oil on Canvas
November, 2023
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In this piece, I feature tomatoes as a symbol for criticism because throwing tomatoes is a stereotypical image associated with negative reaction to stage shows. Eating the tomato expresses the uncomfortable experience of receiving and applying criticism. I chose red and green because they are complementary colors, and green can be associated with sickness. I wanted to make this painting slightly unappealing to highlight the unpleasant feeling criticism can cause.
Staging
Acrylic and Watercolor on Mixed Media Paper
September, 2023
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In this piece I wanted to show the creativity that goes into technical elements of theatre, such as set design. The stage is coming to life for the audience. I wanted to make the background around the audience more realistic and have the stage interact with the audience. I used watercolor to paint the waterfall that is spilling down the stairs.
End of the Day
Digital Using Procreate
January, 2024
I wanted to show the quiet, peaceful feeling after a show or a rehearsal. The girl is walking to her car from rehearsal. I used a different coloring technique for the clouds than the one I typically use.
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Romanticism
Black Pen, Gel Pen, and Marker
February, 2024
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Musical theater is often used to tell dramatic, romanticized, and expressive stories. I wanted to make a piece that portrays that aspect. My goal was for this piece was to have a composition with a lot of movement. The music that is around the two people is actually sheet music for the song Moon River.
House Opens in 10
Acrylic on Mixed Media Paper
February, 2024
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There are often times where the stage is set but no one else is there. It could be after rehearsal or moments in between. These moments are often in direct contrast to the usual experience on stage. When you are performing or rehearing there are other people all around you. It is a lot louder, typically filled with music, applause, or show dialogue.
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Note by Note
Acrylic on Canvas
March, 2024
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Often the moments of performance that are remembered are the ones that other people see. However, performers spend so much time perfecting their talents on their own. It is freeing to just play music on your own and not have anyone listen.
Alto Sectionals
Digital Using Procreate
April, 2024
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In choir or band there are pracitices called sectionals. These are practices with the other people in your "section". This is the musicians that play or sing the same part as you. At my school these took place during lunch, so most of the time there would be little singing and a lot of just eating lunch.
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Say Cheese
Acrylic Paint
April, 2024
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The reference that I used for this was a picture of me when I was little. I grew up participating in theater performances. Because of this I am familiar with going out into the audience and getting my picture taken in costume and with a flower my parents gave me. I think this aspect of theater is so sweet and I love seeing kids have good experiences being in musicals or plays.
Personal Stylist
Marker and Pen
May, 2024
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A big part of theater or performance is doing your hair and make-up. Growing up participating in performance you have different people who help you with this. When I was younger it was my mom, then it was my friends, and now I do it by myself. In this piece I wanted to show the bond between people when they are helping each other.
