Feb 2nd Class recap... or something like that

First up was putting our juxtaposition/transformation/distortion pieces along with our statements on the display boards in the hall. Not knowing how many pieces and sizes of pieces were going to have to fit on the boards, we haphazardly posted. We were then asked to look at the boards, and re-arrange the pieces so that they were more cohesive in overall appearance. We then briefly told about our piece, one thing we would change, and one thing we like. The thing I would change is to add more detailed pen work, and what I liked was the composition and the form of the octopus/pigeon beast. The feedback I received was:
"I really love this piece - it shows the concept well and is beautiful to look at :) "
"I really dig your picture! It reminds me of the old school tattoo style. I love the combination of a pigeon and octopus."

In class we did a value exercise that involved creating a gradient on the page in some way and then drawing a landscape into it afterward.

I created the gradient with charcoal from one side of the page across to the other. Other people created gradients in a thin band down the center of the page, from the outside edge inward, from the center out, or from corner to corner. I chose to make my landscape fictitious and the forms are very "Tim Burton" inspired.

When the exercise was complete we engaged in a class discussion about which ones stood out and why. Overall I think it was the ones with the highest range of value and high contrast that people like most.

Following this we brainstormed around the concept of "Enduring Ideas". Some of the ideas we came up with were:
Change, Existence, Empowerment, Family, Courage, Love, Growth, Peace, Emotions, Freedom, Knowledge, Understanding, Happiness, Music, Communication, Respect, Empathy, Loyalty, Friendship, Companionship, Art, Expression, Creativity, Story, History or Lineage.
These ideas manifest in all kinds of ways; in the people around us, in our actions and reactions, in records or logs, in physical objects, in our art, etc. There may be different types or ways that they can be divided. Some categories they might be divided into are: Values, How we relate to one another, and how we identify with ourselves (self awareness).