Title: Cheers
Medium: Dry Point Size: 17.5x12.5 cm October 2015 Exhibition Text For this project, my main focus was to create a piece that bases off of the theme "obsession". Compared to my block print, this dry point goes into a "deeper type" of obsession, which can be an addiction. My artistic inspiration comes from Claude Monet, an artist within a popular art movement in the 19th century, Impressionism. My original intention was to represent the chronic disease, "alcoholism", to create a piece that illustrates it, and what an alcoholic constantly thinks about. All is self-made within the medium. |
Process
Planning
When I began this project, I was unsure of what to do or what to base it off of. To start, I sketched a few drawings the same size as the plastic plate, to make sure that it would fit when I actually inscribed the plate. At first, I wanted to create something that represented self image issues, but good ideas weren't really coming to me. Sketching helped me organize my ideas and pick a good one.
Planning
When I began this project, I was unsure of what to do or what to base it off of. To start, I sketched a few drawings the same size as the plastic plate, to make sure that it would fit when I actually inscribed the plate. At first, I wanted to create something that represented self image issues, but good ideas weren't really coming to me. Sketching helped me organize my ideas and pick a good one.
Process
Etching
This part of the process speaks for itself. Before I started inscribing, I taped my final design to the back of the plate so that I could trace it with the inscriber. The only problem I had with this was that I had to go over it twice, because I didn't carve deep enough the first time, and if the carving was too light, it wasn't going to show up in the prints, so that's why I went over it twice.
Etching
This part of the process speaks for itself. Before I started inscribing, I taped my final design to the back of the plate so that I could trace it with the inscriber. The only problem I had with this was that I had to go over it twice, because I didn't carve deep enough the first time, and if the carving was too light, it wasn't going to show up in the prints, so that's why I went over it twice.
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Printing
During the printing process, I had to do multiple trials until I got the right print. Sometimes the print would come out blurry, other times too dark/barely visible, or areas that were supposed to be white, were dark, meaning that I didn't take off enough ink. It took me four trials until I got the right print.
During the printing process, I had to do multiple trials until I got the right print. Sometimes the print would come out blurry, other times too dark/barely visible, or areas that were supposed to be white, were dark, meaning that I didn't take off enough ink. It took me four trials until I got the right print.
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Artistic Inspiration
For this piece, my artistic inspiration came from Claude Monet, a key figure in the Impressionist movement. Throughout my sophomore year of art, I learned that Monet often painted carefully, and with great detail. He created impressions with scenes, objects, and special color schemes. "Sunset in Venice" is one of his most well-known paintings, which inspired my piece. This painting was created with plenty of tiny brushstrokes that give the viewer the impression that something is going on in the painting, that it's not still. This is precisely what I wanted to do with my dry point. I wanted to make it seem as if the wineglass and the cup were touching. To simulate that *clink* effect, I carved multiple tiny lines (just like Monet) going the opposite way from the area between the glasses. Although my piece has no color to it, I was still able to incorporate Monet's painting techniques. |
Meaning/Theme of the Piece
One in every 12 adults, or approximately 17.6 million people suffer from alcoholism, a chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and compulsive behavior, which results from alcohol dependency and abuse. This statistic is just for the U.S. It's unreal to think about this throughout the whole world. The meaning behind my piece illustrates this sad reality. When a person suffers from alcoholism, they undergo serious health complications, and isolate themselves from society, especially from family and friends. The unfortunate thing behind this is that children can be affected as well. More than seven million children live in a household where at least one parent abuses alcohol. I created this piece to illustrate what an alcoholic constantly has in their mind, but also to bring attention to this heartbreaking issue. Its unbelievable to think that a simple substance can cause so much damage not only to the alcoholic, but also to innocent people, such as children. Citation "Facts About Alcohol." N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2015. <https://ncadd.org/about-addiction/alcohol/facts-about-alcohol>. |
Reflection
I personally love this piece. It came out better than I expected. At first, I wasn't so confident in etching, but I dedicated a few non-stop hours to it, and eventually finished it after procrastinating for quite a time. I think that my original intentions of creating something that represents alcoholism using Monet's painting techniques were accomplished successfully because I added the impression of the two glasses *clinking* and the alcohol. I've also gotten positive feedback from my peers, which gives me confidence with my piece.
I personally love this piece. It came out better than I expected. At first, I wasn't so confident in etching, but I dedicated a few non-stop hours to it, and eventually finished it after procrastinating for quite a time. I think that my original intentions of creating something that represents alcoholism using Monet's painting techniques were accomplished successfully because I added the impression of the two glasses *clinking* and the alcohol. I've also gotten positive feedback from my peers, which gives me confidence with my piece.