Concentration
Concentration is a series of art pieces created around a central theme.
The central idea of my concentration is primarily on the larger birds of prey and their personality. My inspiration comes from my mom's job at a wildlife center, which gives me the privilege to see hawks, owls, eagles, etc. up close. I am fascinated with all these large birds, but I ended up developing a focus on owls. While the first few pieces were in a portrait style, I eventually moved to a more creative and humorous way of picturing the personality of these magnificent birds.
At first, my idea was simple & single-minded in approach, create portraits of large birds from my mom’s wildlife rehabilitation center 1-4. While I planned to experiment with different bird species, placement, position, & background, it soon became clear that 12 portraits of large birds would not stay interesting for long; my transition began with adding emotion 5. Frustrated, I decided to quickly find a more interesting way of depicting these birds so I started to add my own humorous interpretations of their characteristics & personality 6-12. At first, it was risky for me to try to figure out how to combine realism with my own humorous interpretation, but this did prove to be a much more enjoyable focus to illustrate these magnificent birds. I started this transition by coming up with a Wanted Poster depicting the menacing look of a hawk 6. Next, I wrote an original story depicting an owl character as a mysterious wizard that proved an effective illustration 8. I noticed that I started to develop a focus on mostly owls instead of all the large birds of prey so I changed my direction to just create owls that have their own unique character using hats, glasses, & other apparel 6-12. I am very close to my family so it was natural that I had the idea to create the owl family including Dad, Mom, & Junior 9-12.
The central idea of my concentration is primarily on the larger birds of prey and their personality. My inspiration comes from my mom's job at a wildlife center, which gives me the privilege to see hawks, owls, eagles, etc. up close. I am fascinated with all these large birds, but I ended up developing a focus on owls. While the first few pieces were in a portrait style, I eventually moved to a more creative and humorous way of picturing the personality of these magnificent birds.
At first, my idea was simple & single-minded in approach, create portraits of large birds from my mom’s wildlife rehabilitation center 1-4. While I planned to experiment with different bird species, placement, position, & background, it soon became clear that 12 portraits of large birds would not stay interesting for long; my transition began with adding emotion 5. Frustrated, I decided to quickly find a more interesting way of depicting these birds so I started to add my own humorous interpretations of their characteristics & personality 6-12. At first, it was risky for me to try to figure out how to combine realism with my own humorous interpretation, but this did prove to be a much more enjoyable focus to illustrate these magnificent birds. I started this transition by coming up with a Wanted Poster depicting the menacing look of a hawk 6. Next, I wrote an original story depicting an owl character as a mysterious wizard that proved an effective illustration 8. I noticed that I started to develop a focus on mostly owls instead of all the large birds of prey so I changed my direction to just create owls that have their own unique character using hats, glasses, & other apparel 6-12. I am very close to my family so it was natural that I had the idea to create the owl family including Dad, Mom, & Junior 9-12.
Flying to Freedom
Medium: Acrylic paint
Size: 24x30
Date: February 2011
This art piece was inspired by the larger birds of prey that my mom had been rehabilitating, although she did not have any eagles. This art piece was entered in the V.A.S.E. (Visual Art Scholastic Event) contest and earned a score of 60/60, or a 4. This was my first entry to the V.A.S.E. contest.
Size: 24x30
Date: February 2011
This art piece was inspired by the larger birds of prey that my mom had been rehabilitating, although she did not have any eagles. This art piece was entered in the V.A.S.E. (Visual Art Scholastic Event) contest and earned a score of 60/60, or a 4. This was my first entry to the V.A.S.E. contest.
Moonlite
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Size: 18x24
Date: Summer of 2012
This piece was primarily focusing on the owl and its interaction with the background. However, this was an experimental phase of my concentration, and I was still trying to decide what I was going to specifically focus on concerning the birds. My techniques did not vary much, but at this point it was time to become more bold with the subject matter.
This piece sold for $200
Size: 18x24
Date: Summer of 2012
This piece was primarily focusing on the owl and its interaction with the background. However, this was an experimental phase of my concentration, and I was still trying to decide what I was going to specifically focus on concerning the birds. My techniques did not vary much, but at this point it was time to become more bold with the subject matter.
This piece sold for $200
Dream
Medium: Acrylic paint
Size: 18x24
Date: Summer of 2012
This was a much more bold experimental phase in this concentration, as I experimented with a more unrealistic appearance. Hence the title, this was focused on a surreal appearance, combining two of my favorite subjects of art. My techniques were different from the previous piece, since I had to use a paper towel to get the right effect for the colors in deep space. Since this piece was more difficult to explain, but I received positive feedback, I decide t would be a good move to continue to focus on birds, but in an interesting way.
This piece sold for $200.
Size: 18x24
Date: Summer of 2012
This was a much more bold experimental phase in this concentration, as I experimented with a more unrealistic appearance. Hence the title, this was focused on a surreal appearance, combining two of my favorite subjects of art. My techniques were different from the previous piece, since I had to use a paper towel to get the right effect for the colors in deep space. Since this piece was more difficult to explain, but I received positive feedback, I decide t would be a good move to continue to focus on birds, but in an interesting way.
This piece sold for $200.
Eyes on you
Medium: Scratchboard
Size: 11x14
Date: November of 2012
This piece was experimental in medium, since I do not use scratchboard often. The piece was focused on a song from church in which a line read; "We will keep our eyes on You". This line reminded me of how when my mom would handle one of these owls, they would focus only on the person holding onto them.
This piece sold for $250 at the Newspring Art Auction
Size: 11x14
Date: November of 2012
This piece was experimental in medium, since I do not use scratchboard often. The piece was focused on a song from church in which a line read; "We will keep our eyes on You". This line reminded me of how when my mom would handle one of these owls, they would focus only on the person holding onto them.
This piece sold for $250 at the Newspring Art Auction
Together
Medium: Scratchboard
Size: 14x11
Date: December of 2012
This was another scratchboard piece in which I began to branch out with my subject. I decided that in order for these pieces to remain interesting, I had to get creative with the subject matter. Since this was around christmas, I decided to do a pair of snowy owls.
This piece sold at the Newspring Art Auction for $600.
Size: 14x11
Date: December of 2012
This was another scratchboard piece in which I began to branch out with my subject. I decided that in order for these pieces to remain interesting, I had to get creative with the subject matter. Since this was around christmas, I decided to do a pair of snowy owls.
This piece sold at the Newspring Art Auction for $600.
The red rascal
Medium: Mixed
Size: 20x14
Date: November of 2012
This piece marks when I really began to go out of the ordinary for me, since I am used to sticking to absolute realism. My class had been assigned a project to make a self portrait in the form of a wanted poster, primarily for Rodeo. Since I was in AP art, I had the option of not doing it, since I was focusing on a concentration. However, the idea to make a wanted poster depicting a hawk as a rough western character popped into my head, and I decided it was a good idea to move from portraits of larger birds to Larger birds depicted as characters. This piece was sold for $175.
Size: 20x14
Date: November of 2012
This piece marks when I really began to go out of the ordinary for me, since I am used to sticking to absolute realism. My class had been assigned a project to make a self portrait in the form of a wanted poster, primarily for Rodeo. Since I was in AP art, I had the option of not doing it, since I was focusing on a concentration. However, the idea to make a wanted poster depicting a hawk as a rough western character popped into my head, and I decided it was a good idea to move from portraits of larger birds to Larger birds depicted as characters. This piece was sold for $175.
Snow skiing owl
Medium: Prismacolor pencils
Size: 14x18
Date: January of 2013
This piece was a combination of realism and humor, since I began to focus more on making these birds their own original characters. In a way, this piece also emphasizes on doing things out of the ordinary, regardless of what others think; as in the background you can see a rabbit and a squirrel looking at the owl.
Size: 14x18
Date: January of 2013
This piece was a combination of realism and humor, since I began to focus more on making these birds their own original characters. In a way, this piece also emphasizes on doing things out of the ordinary, regardless of what others think; as in the background you can see a rabbit and a squirrel looking at the owl.
The Woodland wizard
Medium: Prismacolor pencil
Size: 18x24
Date: October of 2012
For this piece, the class assignment was to create a piece themed on a fairytale, either one that was written, or one that was new and original. Since I could not find any fairytales that would fit into my concentration, I decided to create my own story. The story was about a wizard who had been turned into an owl by an evil Enchantress, and only a fair maiden could free him from the Timelocked Woodlands. With help from Azailia, the two manage to trap the Enchantress in a mirror.
Size: 18x24
Date: October of 2012
For this piece, the class assignment was to create a piece themed on a fairytale, either one that was written, or one that was new and original. Since I could not find any fairytales that would fit into my concentration, I decided to create my own story. The story was about a wizard who had been turned into an owl by an evil Enchantress, and only a fair maiden could free him from the Timelocked Woodlands. With help from Azailia, the two manage to trap the Enchantress in a mirror.
Mister Owl
Medium: Pencil
Size: 13x9
Date: March of 2013
This piece was the first of three pieces that would, in the end, go together as one piece. I decide to create this piece in a way to look like an old style photograph, with the owl wearing old style clothing. The edges of the paper are wrinkled to capture the appearance of an old photograph.
Size: 13x9
Date: March of 2013
This piece was the first of three pieces that would, in the end, go together as one piece. I decide to create this piece in a way to look like an old style photograph, with the owl wearing old style clothing. The edges of the paper are wrinkled to capture the appearance of an old photograph.
Lady owl
Medium: Pencil
Size: 13x9
Date: March of 2013
This was the second piece of three that would go together as one piece. I decided to do a lady owl to go with Mr. Owl. Since there are three, and this one is in the center, I used lighter shades to make a softer appearance and to balance with the other two, which are both shaded darker.
Size: 13x9
Date: March of 2013
This was the second piece of three that would go together as one piece. I decided to do a lady owl to go with Mr. Owl. Since there are three, and this one is in the center, I used lighter shades to make a softer appearance and to balance with the other two, which are both shaded darker.
Mister owl's son
Medium: Pencil
Size: 13x9
Date: April of 2013
This is the third piece to complete the Owl Family. Since this owl was smaller, I decided to use books to balance out the size differences with the other two. I used darker shades to balance with Mr. Owl's portrait.
Size: 13x9
Date: April of 2013
This is the third piece to complete the Owl Family. Since this owl was smaller, I decided to use books to balance out the size differences with the other two. I used darker shades to balance with Mr. Owl's portrait.
The owl family
Medium: Pencil
Size: 17x35
Date: April of 2013
This is what the three pieces will look like when they are mounted together on the same mat board.
Size: 17x35
Date: April of 2013
This is what the three pieces will look like when they are mounted together on the same mat board.