The Sense of Self
Given the complicated mix of stress, excitement, and apathy that seniors experience during their last year of high school, The Sense of Self focuses on capturing these emotions through female portraiture. Instead of outwardly conveying dramatic or obvious emotions, the subjects of these portraits embody subtle nuances of underlying unrest. When looking at the paintings within this portfolio, the viewer cannot definitively distinguish which emotion the subject is experiencing, because this emotion is contained deep within the expression of the subject. Accordingly, the portfolio embodies the communication of complex emotion through subtle human expression.
In consideration of this focus on complex emotion, these works strive to capture a range of melancholy emotions across several different unique individuals. The various emotional states in the works selected range from chaotic internal suffering to temporary serenity in the wake of mounting anxiety. Each individual exists within their own ethereal environment, as conveyed by the deep values and vibrant hues of their figure ground. The persistent cool tones in these works, especially the color blue, convey the sadness and inner turmoil trapped within the expressions of the subjects. Moreover, the use of background represents an extension of the subject’s innerworking mind and subsequent emotion. To demonstrate this, the background is primarily gestured through mark-making so the viewer can focuses on the emotion of the figure.
Overwhelmingly, the art process is cathartic. I see an extension of my own emotions as I paint the varied emotional states of my subjects. The artistic process becomes cathartic by allowing me to empathize with the figures and either feel pain as to their suffering or yearn for their sense of peacefulness. Moreover, as an individual who struggles to balance school, social life and work commitment, art is a release from all of this stimuli. It allows me to take my mind off of stress and put energy into better understanding those around me by capturing their emotional states. The overall goal is for the viewers to empathize with the figures in the portfolio and to understand their need to suppress the intense emotions hidden beneath the surface.
In consideration of this focus on complex emotion, these works strive to capture a range of melancholy emotions across several different unique individuals. The various emotional states in the works selected range from chaotic internal suffering to temporary serenity in the wake of mounting anxiety. Each individual exists within their own ethereal environment, as conveyed by the deep values and vibrant hues of their figure ground. The persistent cool tones in these works, especially the color blue, convey the sadness and inner turmoil trapped within the expressions of the subjects. Moreover, the use of background represents an extension of the subject’s innerworking mind and subsequent emotion. To demonstrate this, the background is primarily gestured through mark-making so the viewer can focuses on the emotion of the figure.
Overwhelmingly, the art process is cathartic. I see an extension of my own emotions as I paint the varied emotional states of my subjects. The artistic process becomes cathartic by allowing me to empathize with the figures and either feel pain as to their suffering or yearn for their sense of peacefulness. Moreover, as an individual who struggles to balance school, social life and work commitment, art is a release from all of this stimuli. It allows me to take my mind off of stress and put energy into better understanding those around me by capturing their emotional states. The overall goal is for the viewers to empathize with the figures in the portfolio and to understand their need to suppress the intense emotions hidden beneath the surface.