Final Artist Statement

     My big idea is Uncertainty. I decided to look into the theme of age and how it relates to this big idea. In the process, I discovered that the theme of being lost and uneasy made its way back into my work. Another idea of peace and calm became minor topics as well.  So the diptych can work as a comparison and contrast.
     The beginning research for my project was, in a way, already completed since I focused on uncertainty for the midterm. As my final developed I found myself looking back to the midterm and reusing certain techniques I incorporated before again, such as eerie lighting and blurred images. Also, I continued with the idea of creating work that looks simple, but still has levels of complexity and substantial thought behind the work.  However, this time I did looked back to some of the very first blogs where we did word associations and there I got the idea to focus on how age and uncertainty connect. Since I personally identify age with people, I decided to use that as my main subject matter. I looked at the artist Francis Bacon’s strange portraits for inspiration for my final. I found that I was very inspired and somewhat appalled by the way Bacon distorted the human face and made it so unique and thought provoking. I did not take my project to that extent of deformation, but it did have an impact on my overall composition. Her face does not match up perfectly when the diptych is presented side by side. I also researched images and artwork that I found to be tranquil and stable for the peaceful theme in my work.
     For the left half of my diptych I was portraying the idea that with old age comes peace and stability. To get that point across I took the image of my friend, Julie, and aged her significantly by the guide of a worth1000.com tutorial. There is meaning behind the fact that Julie is smiling and happy even though she is old and beautiful in a different way.  I also made use of warm tones and inactive composition to create a happy and calm atmosphere. The right half however is questioning what youth is really all about. Many might be deceived by the beauty and opportunities that come with being young; however it really can lead to a lot of confusion. I made use of blurred and unfocused images once again to make the composition unsettled. I also created a bright setting with eerie lighting. In this part of the diptych the girl is not smiling, she is serious and pensive. I tried to make her skin and features look flawless, contrasting with her unhappy facial expression, to enforce the idea that beauty doesn’t always bring happiness or certainty. There are also blurred images of Julie standing right at a crossroads of two paths leading into dense woods, signifying a person being at a crossroads in life and uncertain of what move to make.
     This big idea is still important for me for similar reasons as before. I am confused about where my life is headed and if I am on the right track. However, this time I am admitting something a little strange about myself. Basically, I think it would be great to be old. I think I get overwhelmed by how much life I have ahead of me and whether I am filling it with the right choices. I think my youth is going by in a blur. I am always annoyed by the phrase, “I’m an old soul,” but I suppose I probably am. I also associate peace with old age, you made it through the rough part and now you are able to relax and do whatever you want.  I am sure that is not always the case and I am not thinking rationally, however, it is still the idea that I incorporated into this project.