I came into my Junior year art classes as a strong sketch artist, but left a completely different artist. I took the mixed media and the adv. 2-D art class this year, two classes that really helped me to figure out what type of an artist I really am.
In mixed media I was wary at first, knowing nothing at all about mixed media, but as the class progressed I found myself craving more mixed media based projects. Out of this class I have came up with, what I believe, is a great technique. I take a square piece of paper, crinkle it so it becomes softer, and then twist into a circle, with the help of yes! paste, giving it the look of a rose. I discovered this in mixed media, but really made it my own in adv. 2-D.
Adv. 2-D really seemed more like a senior studio class to me. There were set projects, but no deadlines and the freedom to work on whatever piece of art you wanted to. Although the projects had a strong 2-D element, I still incorporated my mixed media technique in most of my pieces. However, I did change my technique a bit, I did all the previous steps, but this time once my rose had dried I would cover it in a varnish that made is shine incredibly.
I have noticed that as I change as an artist, so does my technique, and I like the direction it's going. But a challenge that I have found happens a lot with me in my art classes, is finishing. As the project is explained, I get a vivid picture in my head of how it should look, but the execution is the problem. I wouldn't say that it is boring or that it can't keep my attention, but simply that I take too long finishing my piece and keeping in step with the rest of the class. That is a problem that has been apparent, but I feel that I can fix, just a lowering of standards I guess.
In total, I have greatly appreciated my junior year arts. They have opened my eyes to seeing that I am not only a sketch artist, but an artist that can use colors and different materials' textures to my advantage. I cannot wait until senior studio when it really is a class of total free expression, it may be hard to work on projects that have no guide lines, but I think the challenge will be more than fun!

Opposites project, plan

Since my theme is materialism I need to find objects and pictures that go along with that theme. Instead of using paper, I will be using two shopping bags, one from a clothing store and the other from a super market. This is a clear opposite in materialism, buying what you want over what you need. Next I plan on cutting squares out of the two bags and sticking pictures behind them. The pictures will not be the opposites of the bag (I would still use a fashion magazine picture in the clothing store bag) but put next to each other will show the opposite. Next I plan to have pictures "shooting" out from the tops of the bags and intertwining(?) with each other. For those pictures I would have food coming out of the clothing store bag and visa versa.

Artist mentality ~essential questions

An artist is the type of person that is different. They look different, act different, and are almost 100% against conformity.
The artist works non-stop to get the a message out, that message may not be clear, but that is their ultimate goal.

Artists work in different ways to create art that will spread their message, but first, they must think of what they want to convey onto their audience. For example, a message that I really enjoy working with is Materialism. I feel that it is one of those things that people see all the time, but never give it a second thought. Trying to show people what is happening around them, and giving them the possibility of hope is what really makes me want to create beautiful pieces of art that people will not only like, but hopefully see my message.

There are a variety of techniques an artist can use to share their message and engage the viewer. One is to straight up just show what their message is in a clear piece of artwork, making it easy for the viewer to know what the artist is saying. I feel this may not be as fun for the artist or viewer, but is certainly easier.
Another way is to make an image that will really draw the viewers eye, a "hook". The painting may not be 100% about the message, but there would be bits and pieces of the message or story the artist is trying to show to you that will make the viewer really think of what the artists intent is. To me, that is much more fun!

This is what I think an artist should keep in mind before starting his or her piece. But then again I could be wrong, I am a junior of course.