The semester's end.

I feel as though this semester has been a success in many perspectives. First off, I have gathered a sense of creating  rhythm and repetition in my drawings. Reading and research I felt really boosted the conceptual aspect of my work. And lastly I learned how to successfully create a series using that knowledge I gained from my research. These pieces were not as planned out as I normally work, instead I worked very intuitively, letting whatever ideas came to me  be released on the paper. This intuitive process is much more automatic and natural and I can see the difference between these drawings and previous ones. 

My method began by researching cloning and almost took its own turn from there. I developed ideas from this research. Since I found that growing organs inside animals such as pigs was so intriguing that is where I took the drawings. From there I developed concepts of transformation and the combination on human and animal and the possibilities of sharing these important elements of life. This work raises questions like, what makes us so far above pigs that we can use them for our benefit? What if we did and could support a human life inside and animal, or vice versa? How much is too much, and where should the line actually be drawn?

The latest

Brand new beginning. President Obama; what an inspiring and refreshing day

I took this photo at one of his rally's last spring! 

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Works in progress

As some of you know, my research has been directed towards cloning. After finding a few helpful books I discovered the possibilities that cloning has to offer that many are not aware of. The topic in particular that struck my interest was the process of harvesting human organs into an animal, particularly a pig and then using them for organ transplanting. This idea of almost part animal part human is fascinating. 

I have also put some thought into the cloning of actual individuals and what impact our environment would have on that genetically identical clone. How much of who we are is due to our surroundings? How much is purely genetic? Nurture vs. Nature. 

I have recently been spending a good chunk of my so called free time in the library doing research for my semester project, listening to great music, and simply reading. This is huge progress for me, I have discovered a whole new attitude and peace just sitting alone in a large room filled with words. There is so much knowledge to gain, it is sometimes overwhelming. It feels good to fully absorb. 

Incredible illustrations by Russ Mills!!!!!
http://www.byroglyphics.com/gallery/gallery.html

"Faces of the known" series

These drawings are about 4.5"x5". A pen drawing on paper is beneath a thin layer of partially transparent mylar and then drawn on with conte.

 I was experimenting with layers and line quality. I wanted to complete a few studies of the faces I see almost everyday. While completing these drawings I discovered there is so much we don't notice about each-other, so much detail that never gets recognized in our day to day routines. I took note of every little detail and expression, and found interest in these faces that I had always thought I had known, but never in this way. 

www.theselby.com/ 

This is my latest addiction. 

"How rare to be born a human being." -Gary Snyder

This semesters objective

It is official, class is here and my first mission will be to begin a blog for my advanced life drawing class.

Exciting, yes. My intentions are to make clear what exactly I will be accomplishing this semester. 

What would I like to spend at least half the semester learning about? The process and ethical issues of reproductive cloning. How does it work, scientifically speaking? What would the purpose be? What are some of the repercussions? This also rises questions about genetics and character traits. 

What field of study does it typically reside in? Cloning resides in the study of SCIENCE/BIOLOGY.

What interests me about it? It all started this summer when I found myself in a small town in Scotland called Roslin. This was were Dolly the sheep was cloned and since that day I have had this minor obsession with this concept. This whole topic is absolutely fascinating. To make a biologically exact copy of another living thing is unreal. It tests ethics and creates a lot of controversy. But can artificial reproduction be useful? What could happen if we did start cloning humans? Questions then would arise about Nurture vs. Nature. 

How will I use/ Incorporate the figure to explore these questions?  I would love to play with the idea of human cloning, duplication, and repetition in my work, using the figure as my primary subject, along with all of the other scientific imagery. 

What is my planning method of investigation and research? I plan to use the Library as a resource for the most part. Books, books and more books. It may also be helpful to contact someone really familiar with the subject. I will research, write, organize my thoughts along with a few sketches and doodles and then gather all this information into a drawing. 

Where will I learn about this subject? Well the Library of course! 

What media, scale, format etc. will I use as I create the drawings? Just as last semester I wish to explore with the same kind of material. That being layered mylar, paper, pen work and possibly paint. I will continue investigating line quality and texture.