Penn State Undergraduate Portfolio Submission

 Broccoli 18"x 24" acrylics 02/10

 York PA 18"x 24" acrylic 01/10

 Kawika 2 18"x 24" charcoal 09/10

 Chuck Close 14"x 14"color pencil 10/10

 Chairs on desks 18"x 24" pencil 10/10

 Gourds 2 18"x 24" pen and ink wash 10/10

 Magic Island 40"x 30" acrylic 07/10

Kawika 20"x 30" acrylic 06/10

 Gourds 18"x 24" pen and ink on paper 10/10

 Pathway to Hershey 18"x 24" pen and ink 10/10

Plants on a chair 18"x 24"ink wash 10/10

 Erica 18"x 24" fingerprints with ink 10/10

Kawika Victoria - Artist Statement

Inspiration comes to me in many ways, from organic matter to the individuality within people. I enjoy the creative process of making art; I am very absorbed in using conceptual marks to construct a clear notion of my subject. I challenge the use of redundant techniques to represent different textures within the foreground and background.

Chuck Close’s work inspires me to investigate into fingerprint work; the marks he makes are fully abstract yet representational, accomplishing two objectives at once. The subject of my work consists of family and friends, they are supportive of my work and are very meaningful to me. Using paper and ink for this piece is a must. The bright white paper against the dark ink creates a great contrast level leaving multiple different tones of grey to be used throughout my process.

The process for my piece starts off as a digital photograph, when choosing a photograph to draw or paint, I look for a neutral expression. Then I use Photoshop to adjust the contrast ratio between lights and darks to enhance the beauty of the subject. I draw a grid over the photograph and later resize that same grid to fit on a larger scale sheet of paper. Then I lay the paper on a table so I can work from all four corners and be more involved in the piece.

By working on one square at a time, I focus all attention on exploring the different shapes of lights and darks within each square. The techniques I use are very abstract and representational. I use fingerprint marks with ink to represent the same shapes of lights and darks as in the photo. The second layer of marks is focused on building up the different areas of darker tones to show the contours and depths. I make decisions in the course of my work by looking at the composition of the study as a whole, and by building up the different shapes. I know a piece is complete when the composition and values of the entire study show as much detail as each individual square and I am left with sense of fulfillment.

I paint and draw because it is the perfect medium to express my creativity. Being lost in the moment of creating art has no greater feeling than complete bliss. I am not afraid to make changes to my work. Which might ruin my progression, that is just is the process for exploring new techniques and methods, and to grow as an artist. The more I progress in my artwork, the more I learn about other artist, new techniques and different styles of art. The more interested I become, and the more I grow as an artist.