Concentration #5
This work based off photographs I took while I was visiting Boston. I made the photo-copied pictures bigger and then layered on top of them with water color, paper, texture through sponges, oil pastel, and marker. I used Mrs. Danahy's suggestion about reversing the tree and part of the left side of the picture in order to create a perspective effect which I'm really glad that I did. Also, I worked on new techniques to use in my sky such as using rubber cement. I used repitition through the repeating buildings. I do think that this work demonstrates my idea of the landscapes. I think this shows a typical American city...especially the brownstone houses. The car is also not complete in order to show how it is dream or memory-like. Risk-taking shows through how I have chosen to leave a lot in black and white as well as not have everything perfectly drawn out. I tried to put myself in the work with the student, emphasizing how I will be going to Boston in the fall for school as well as putting a girl taking a picture which symbolizes myself.

Concentration #4

This work is based on a photograph I took while passing by a local area while in the Dominican Republic. The bright colors and the people is what I remember the most. I used the suggestions to work back into the trees and develop more layering. It was also suggested that I spraypaint over it or do something to induce a more dreamlike quality. I agreed with this idea but decided to finish my concentrations and then see if the spraypainting would work with the other pieces. I tried to create a more engaging design through layering over photo-copied pictures. I do feel that my work demonstrates my concept through focusing on movement and texture. I took risks by continuing with my exploration of photo-copies. I also used marker and oil pastels in this project which I had not tried before. It is also a really different landscape from my previous ones. I hope this work shows my personal vision of highlighting the beautiful differences of landscapes around the world.

Concentration #3
This piece is set in Italy from my memories of being in Sienna this past summer. I remember the crumbling towers, different colored houses, and beautiful,rolling hills around it. It was suggested that I push these hills back more, which I tried to do by adding white paper over them. I definitely tried to create a more engaging design through movement and rhythm. I focused on this through texture and composition. I do think that this work follows along with my concentration statement. I really tried to capture the essence of the Italian landscape as it is in my mind to demonstrate its unique qualities and beauty. I took risks by adding layers of paper and creating texture. Furthermore, for the first time I implemented black and white photo-copies of buildings from Sienna and colored and pasted over them. This was a really interested experience that I think I will continue further in my pieces. It helped me get my darks and forced me to experiment in ways I had no before. I think that my personality came through in this work through many of the warm and soft colors I used. It would be almost impossible for me to show how much I love travel, and how especially, the life and colors of Sienna struck me while I was there. I really hope to show how the world is so beautiful and that every place exhibits this quality in an unique way.

Concentration # 2

The basis of this work is trying to capture the beauty of an American farming landscape. Mrs. Danahy also introduced me to the art of Gerald Brommer, so he was a huge influence on me while I was creating this artwork. Mrs. Danahy and my classmates suggested that I should push the background back and bring the foreground farther forward. Consequently, I added strips of white paper of the background and layered the foreground with various materials such as cloth, paper, and marker. I think I did achieve a better sense of space as a result of these changes. It was also suggested that I find a picture of a farmhouse. I agreed with this suggestion but I could not find one that I really liked. However, I will keep searching and will place one in my work before the AP Exam. To create a more engaging design, I focused on movement, unity, balance, and figure-ground relationship. I do feel like this work demonstrates my concentration idea. There was definitely a lot of risk-taking in this project. Layering and experimenting with so many different types of materials was difficult but rewarding. I tried to put myself in this project by showing my love for the American landscape through the bold colors, hopefully portraying an inviting atmosphere.