SKETCHBOOK: ART & DESIGN
Summer Studio 2012
During the summer of 2012, I took an onsite class at the University of Florida for my masters in Art Education. This sketchbook class was extremely influential and challenged me to let go of my traditional style of organized lines and bright colors. Through these different projects I learned to allow my lines to form freely without the ability to look between my subject and my paper. The blind contour drawings of my Project Book of UF's lamp posts and images of ship sails - allowed me to draw in a way that pushed my comfort zone. This practice made me relax in my art making and forced me to be open to the power of simple clean lines. A project that I thoroughly enjoyed was my Altered Book. Playing off of my love of coffee, I utilized a book on coffee to manipulate into my own masterpiece. As I moved through the book I found myself becoming more open to creating in ways that I had not done before.
In these assignments I worked with many materials, experimenting with textures created by the tools and materials I used. On a smaller scale I also created two smaller books, a Map Book - created through a memory drawing with wax paper and water colors. This was a creative assignment for us to see how a piece of paper can be manipulated into a 3D sculpture. I also created a smaller book made from paint cards from the hardware store. This book was a concentration study on small organic drawings that I then transferred on the paint cards, which I then preceded to manipulate. My Flag Book was another book I created to reflect a little bit of who I am. I used my husband's and my wedding song and stamps to design a story book with images and words. We created seven total books in a six day course.
This class gave me the opportunity to explore bookmaking. It was energetic and encouraged creativity. Common phrases I recall hearing from our professor was, "Don't be too precious, and get out of your own way." More than anything these phrases were inspiring and words that I know I will use when I begin teaching art.
In these assignments I worked with many materials, experimenting with textures created by the tools and materials I used. On a smaller scale I also created two smaller books, a Map Book - created through a memory drawing with wax paper and water colors. This was a creative assignment for us to see how a piece of paper can be manipulated into a 3D sculpture. I also created a smaller book made from paint cards from the hardware store. This book was a concentration study on small organic drawings that I then transferred on the paint cards, which I then preceded to manipulate. My Flag Book was another book I created to reflect a little bit of who I am. I used my husband's and my wedding song and stamps to design a story book with images and words. We created seven total books in a six day course.
This class gave me the opportunity to explore bookmaking. It was energetic and encouraged creativity. Common phrases I recall hearing from our professor was, "Don't be too precious, and get out of your own way." More than anything these phrases were inspiring and words that I know I will use when I begin teaching art.
Copyright  2013 Tiffany D. Searcy - All Rights Reserved