Summer Project Piece
My Dreams vs Their Dreams
Acrylic Paint on Canvas
91 cm x 91 cm
August 2019
Exhibition Text:
My Dreams vs Their Dreams is my expression of the conflicting feeling I experience from the Somali Community. Influenced by my frustration over from hearing about what an "accomplishment" would be for a woman like me, this piece emphasized on my own definition of happiness compared to that of my community.This piece is primarily inspired by the Somali Flag and Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas, the medium I used for this piece was Apple Barrels' Acyrlic Paints on Canvas.
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Inspiration
Critical Investigation
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939, Oil on Canvas, Collection of the Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City.
Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with necklace of thorns and Hummingbird , 1940. Oil on Canvas.
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My main inspiration for this piece is Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas. The contrasts between the two Fridas was what I thought was the most importance on the show. According to Andreja Velimirovic (2018), "Every element in this painting gives specific clues to Kahlo’s mental state, perhaps none more than her still, direct, emotionless gaze that seems to express the immediacy of her pain." Nearly everything in her piece tied to a lot of of that of her indigenous Mexican culture. The leaves tied to the nature, the dead humminging bird tied to her dead love, the living animals on her shoulders represent the misfortune she had been experiencing (with the cat being bad luck and the monkey representing the carelessness.) At the same time, she managed to look into the viewer head on.
It was her expression that inspired me to do the same with my piece. Kahlo did not opt not emphasize on the use of nature in her culture which made me think about exploring the Somali culture. Her cultural connections Velimirovic (2018), "Kahlo’s identification with indigenous Mexican culture greatly affected the aesthetic of the Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird." The use of animals, thorns, animals and causal clothing tie to her culture, another aspect I used in my piece. An aspect I was inspired by in both of Kahlo's piece was her subtlety. I saw small things like the clothing she wore that tied to her culture. Although she did a lot to draw a viewer’s eyes to a piece, the subtle aspects of her pieces kept her viewers’ eyes to stay on her piece. According to (Schaffer 63), “...trickling blood is part of all her self-portraits.” A longer stare at her pieces shows how the texture Kahlo incorporated into her pieces, another aspect I incorporated in my piece.
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Planning
When I originally made these sketches, I wanted to incorporate the biggest symbol of my culture. As a Somali, I knew that the Somali flag was the greatest symbol of my culture. The flag bears the star and blue background, something I wanted to incorporate into the back ground of my piece. I did not know for sure if I wanted the star in front of me or behind me in the self portrait, but so I used the sketches to experiment with that. In sketch one, I thought of placing a black star (because I thought that it would be more visible than a whit) in front of my face, but I did think that it would work out well with the piece and I also thought that it would also deviate to not commit to the symmetrical balance of my piece. In the third sketch, I thought having a white star lower down my face, I later also turned out to not like, as it managed to block a piece of the piece as well. In my second sketch, I thought about placing the star behind me, which became my final choice,
Outliine of Steps
Here are the steps I thought I would use for this piece, I thought about using a technique that would be easy for me, grid drawing along with some tips I get from artists from my gallery visits.
- Create Canvas
- After taking reference photo, print it in Black and white
- Grid out proportionally the canvas and the photo by trimming unnecessary parts of reference photo.
- Replicate the subject on photo onto canvas including shadows and highlights
- Then reprint reference photo in Color
- When painting subject, reference the photo when mixing paint
Process/Techniques and Experimentation
Experimentation with taking photos
For this project, I knew that I had to take reference photos, as this was one of the first times I did a self portrait made entirely of paint. As this piece was inspired by Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas, I wanted to make sure that I myself in the body posture of one of her selves. I decided here that I wantwed the left side to be my happy side and the right side to what is expected for me to be happy about (marriage). I made this decision because of the cultural connotations with the right and left sides of the body.
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In these photos, I dress in a graduation grown in order to express my view of success, finishing school. I put this figure on the left side of the piece as it varied from what my parents believe in success. I used the third in black and white along with in color in order to see the correct color.
In these photos, I tried to replicate the Kahlo on the right, but instead of wearing the chill clothing, I replaced her with a bridal looking me. I used my eighth grade white graduation grown, along with this skirt worn like a hijab in order to complete the look. I choose the second photo for the official reference photo as I liked how the position of the camera allowed me see the light on the face better.
Process
To begin, I printed off several things, including the reference photos, along with an in color copy of Kahlo's piece. I then cut of the actual figures in order to have a closer look at the lighting.
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Then, I used the Kahlo photo and measured it out in order to plan out how I was going replicate the figures' sizes onto the canvas
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Then, with the help of some math, with expection to the two sides (which a little to small for there side) I managed to measure each side so that the lines would be 1.0625 in (2.7cm) apart from each other
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Through that, I managed to make each side 8 squares by 8 squares, something I knew I could mimic onto my canvas
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Then on the actual canvas, I mapped out the dimensions. On a 36 in (90cm) by 36 in (90cm) canvas, dividing that by 8, would allow me to have 4.5 in (11.25 cm) of space between the lines. After realizing that, I mapped out the canvas by marking every 4.5 inches on all four sides of the canvas. After that I lined up the markings with ones parallel with each other, until I grid 8*8 squares onto the canvas.
At this point, I started to mimic the figures of Kahlo's piece onto my canvas, but I also made sure to add my own ramifications so that the figures would look more like me. From the neck up, I knew that I wanted to go stop referencing Kahlo's pieces and I then started to reference my reference photos. With my pencil, I outlined the general shape of my upper body and I also revised some parts of Kahlo's left figure by making the sleeve look like that of a graduation gown as well as creating the slit in the grown.
On the left side, I mimicked the chill Kahlo's posture, while also making sure to have myself
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I add a rough sketch of facial expressions while referencing both Kahlo and my reference pieces. (They looked rough here because it was hard to erase pencil marks on canvas) I decided to that I wanted to add some extra elements.
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Here, I added a diploma scroll along with a prayer beads.
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Using Apple Barrel White paint along with a Royal Soft-Grip SG 700 paintbrush I wanted to apply a white wash on top the parts of the painting that needed it.
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Here, I reused the skintone I used in the I'm Fine self portrait. For that project, the skin tone was mostly Apple Barrel's White Acrylic Paint, while adding the Burnt Umber Brown and a hint of Bright Red. I then added more white, as I noticed that the paint was a little more brown than I thought it should be so I added white paint. I used the reference painting to keep track of it all.
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Right face
Using the skintone paint, I began by applying a wash layer.
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After carefully applying the wash layer onto the canvas, I also made add white paint onto the face in order to add the contrast
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I then used a dry, clean #4 Royal Soft Grip SG 150 paint brush to blend the white paint onto the skin better.So
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I then applied Apple Barrel's Burnt Umber paint around the eyelid area in order to be consistent with the dark values there.
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From here, I used the same push to blend smoothly again. I also applied a rough paint layer of the eyebrows as well after I used the Apple Barrel Black Pavement Paint for the eye.
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I painted the other eye and fixed the eyebrows. I next add the nose, attempting to shape it to look like my own. I then continued to blend with brush. After that, I applied the lips using a mixture of the Apple Barrel Purple Iris and Apple Barrel Bright Red paint, using white in the inside and blending outwards to turn it into that color.
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Left face
For my self-portrait, I started to miss up here. The reference photo did not depict the type of photo I wanted it to be, which made it hard for me to fix it.
I add a wash layer of paint as I did the with the first face.
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I then used the Apple Barrel Burnt Umber paint to add a darker skin tone onto the canvas. It was here I realized that my paint brush was not being consistently cleaned after attempting to blend each area.
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As I worked on other parts of the painting, I tried to fix it being more careful and blending with a clean brush.
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It was here when I realized that I was messing up on the both eyes and the face and I decided that I try a different approach.
Solutions
Here, I tried to fix the face, and continue on with my original intent in making the figure on the left have a dark skin tone than the one on the right by blending with a clean brush. I then used the reference photo to capture the general shape of the eye better.
Lips
Using Apple Barrel White paint, Bright Red Paint, Burnt Umber Paint, and Purple Iris paint, I put them together in a cup.
I carefully applied a dark shape on the outer area of the lips and blended it lighter as I continued.
The dresses
I used the Apple Barrel Black Pavement paint to create the gray color outline on left figure and to create the indentations of both sides. I did this as I was fixing the face.
As I was fixing the face, I painted the gown black from Apple Barrel Black Pavement paint carefully, without painting over hands. Then I made the wash for the hands. I also add the light blue wash background from the I'm Fine piece, as I was reusing the Somali flag concept. As I was painting, I made sure to use the 3/4" brush and generously applied the paint. I painted the hijab grey and also added the painted the graduation tassel yellow Apple Barrel Bright Yellow.
White dress
In the left photo, I painted the hijab grey, using a adding more white to the gray made before. On the photo on the right I made sure to add the prayer beads along with paint the sides of the piece as well.
The Background
I mixed up some Apple Barrel White and a good squeeze of Cobalt Blue paint a cup and I used the 3/4" inch brush to paint the background one more time. I also made the last ditch effort into adding the bench from Kahlo's piece.
Final Product
Reflection & Critique
Compare
My Dreams vs Their Dreams
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Contrast
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939, Oil on Canvas, Collection of the Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City.
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My Dreams vs Their Dreams
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Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with necklace of thorns and Hummingbird , 1940. Oil on Canvas.
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Reflection
My art was mainly inspired by Frida Kahlo as I love how she incorporated a lot of her culture into her pieces. For this piece, using the grid method was a life saver for me as it helped me map out much of the canvas without messing up the entire canvas. I am glad that I experiment with my use of blended paint BEFORE leaving it to dry as it gave me a last minute ability to fix the shading, which greatly increase the quality of my piece. I definitely believe I did a great job incorporating the light and dark values of my piece, especially I referenced my black and white printed copy of my reference photos and of the art work. In general, I am very pleased with the way my piece turned out. My use of a grid square made the piece look more and more like me. Getting rid of the star made the piece less awkward as well. One part of my piece I could have improved was with some of the blending like the faces. I love how everything else looks, but the faces are not perfect. This is success because I managed not to mess a canvas based on this piece. Another success I had with this project was that the work that after evaluating it, I could sense the unity all the elements the portrait has. Overall, I believe this piece was a success in conveying my message.
Bibliography
Beaver, Katlyn, and Rebecca Baillie. “Frida Kahlo Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2017, www.theartstory.org/artist-kahlo-frida.htm.
Collins, Amy Fine. “Frida Kahlo's Diary: A Glimpse Inside Her Tortured, Scribble-Happy World.” The Hive, Vanity Fair, 19 Sept. 2017, www.vanityfair.com/culture/1995/09/frida-kahlo-diego-rivera-art-diary.
“Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving.” Brooklyn Museum: Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, 2019, www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/frida_kahlo.
“The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, Mar. 2005, www.pbs.org/weta/fridakahlo/worksofart/index.html.
Rogers, Lisa. “Frida Kahlo: A Few Small Nips.” Lisa's History Room, May 2009, lisawallerrogers.com/tag/self-portrait-with-curly-hair-by-frida-kahlo/.
Schaefer, Claudia. Frida Kahlo: a Biography. Greenwood Press, 2009.
Tuchman, Phyllis. “Frida Kahlo.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Nov. 2002, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/frida-kahlo-70745811/?page=5.
Collins, Amy Fine. “Frida Kahlo's Diary: A Glimpse Inside Her Tortured, Scribble-Happy World.” The Hive, Vanity Fair, 19 Sept. 2017, www.vanityfair.com/culture/1995/09/frida-kahlo-diego-rivera-art-diary.
“Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving.” Brooklyn Museum: Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, 2019, www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/frida_kahlo.
“The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, Mar. 2005, www.pbs.org/weta/fridakahlo/worksofart/index.html.
Rogers, Lisa. “Frida Kahlo: A Few Small Nips.” Lisa's History Room, May 2009, lisawallerrogers.com/tag/self-portrait-with-curly-hair-by-frida-kahlo/.
Schaefer, Claudia. Frida Kahlo: a Biography. Greenwood Press, 2009.
Tuchman, Phyllis. “Frida Kahlo.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Nov. 2002, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/frida-kahlo-70745811/?page=5.
Connecting to the ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
Kahlo's symbolism and culture inspired me to incorporate it into my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors approached the topic in analytic way, while including inspirations each other had.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that when people observe work from Frida Kahlo, they see a piece full with color and symbolism.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my research was to find a artist that had a piece that demonstrated exasperation while conveying to my artistic need.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Throughout my research I inferred that Kahlo created pieces that referenced her view of the world.
Kahlo's symbolism and culture inspired me to incorporate it into my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors approached the topic in analytic way, while including inspirations each other had.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that when people observe work from Frida Kahlo, they see a piece full with color and symbolism.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my research was to find a artist that had a piece that demonstrated exasperation while conveying to my artistic need.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Throughout my research I inferred that Kahlo created pieces that referenced her view of the world.