SPECIALIZING IN YOUR AREA OF INTEREST
IDEAS GUIDE THE ART CREATION

MATURE ARTISTS ARE GUIDED BY PERSONAL BELIEFS AND
PERSONAL PRINCIPLES GAINED FROM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING AND
FILTERED THROUGH THEIR INDIVIDUAL
PERSONALITIES.

QUALITY ART IS RARELY AN ACCIDENT BUT RATHER
THE RESULT OF A PLAN AND PURPOSE OR IN OTHER WORDS
AN IDEA.

WORKING WITH THEMES
(GOAL: to work independently) 

What will your theme be? 
In what style or manner do your pictures Interpret a Theme?

The main value of art is creative expression.
"Creative" means unique and personal.
In early art lessons your teacher presents ideas and methods.
At a certain point you will need to find your own way. To begin, you will need to select subject matter which is most interesting to you. Then for methods, select a style and technique which you have gained proficiency in and is most personal to you.

What is your style and where is your expressive strength? 
You should be able to use a descriptive phrase to describe your personal style. (See examples below.)

As you procede to more advanced level, you will set your own goals and outcomes. If you attempt some method where you lack skill you will need to gain this additional knowledge and technique independently.

Independent research and inquiry is an essential part of learning.  You will need to have a weekly goal or work plan. Activities will include:  Library or Internet searches and note taking; Down-loading pictures; Making sketches and designs; and Studio project work time.

The "Independent Inquiry" unit consists of a series of individual projects which will:
Be related in some special way.
Be unified by a subject or "Theme, and Style or Method of working."
See descriptions of style listed below.

How many art works  will you be required to do? The complexity of your choices governs the amount of production. Many sketches can be done in a single day. Some quality drawings and paintings
can be done in a few days.

ART SUBJECTS BY BROAD THEMES
The Warrior Hero
Pain & Sorrow
Love & Romance Everyday Things
The wonders of Nature
Technology & Technical Processes

OTHER DESCRIPTIVE STYLE OR CONCEPTUAL ART THEMES:
Each of the following descriptions describes an art style.
These are samples and imagined descriptions. Some of these have actually been done by artists I know.
Notice how the descriptions capture the focuses of a very specific idea.

EXAMPLES OF A STYLE THAT MIGHT DESCRIBE A CERTAIN ARTIST'S WORK

These examples might give you some ideas of how to imagine doing your own thing. Also, if you find one of these interesting feel free to take it for your own. You can also adapt from one of these. Or in other words, make some adjustments to suit your own preferences as a starting point for you.

EXAMPLES OF SOME UNIFIED ART STYLES

1. Abstracted soft-toned visuals which vaguely suggest real things. Rich warm color blends.

2. Hard- edge arrangements with surprising colors. Arrangements depict subtle balance in filled and unfilled spaces.

3. Animals which walk around and behave with human activities.

4. Drawings and paintings of interesting plant foliage in high detail drawn and painted subjects.

5. Drawing and paintings of the most common everyday objects.

6. Close up of the human form composed in such a way as to view the body as abstract pattern.

7. Figures placed in silhouette with a special interest in patterns in space.

8. Mythological figures are depicted in brightly colored Art Nouveau style.

9. Subjects are interpreted in a style inspired by African or Pre-Columbian design.

10. Water color landscape combining color masses and sharp pen and ink detail.

11. Art from the streets, signposts, pop images and distinctive color harmonies.

12. Exploration of white on white or black on black relief designs. Cast shadows produce tone.
13. Textural multi media compositions using found materials, fabric and drawing & painting.

14. Multi-media collages emphasizing textures and materials.

15. Drawing or interpreting the human figure with light and expression.

16. Limited color still life compositions.

18. Musical instruments interpreted as color and pattern.

19. Animal friends who are posed in human like situations.

20. Strange and fantastic hats and the people who would wear them.

21. Wrestle mania, the super hero hulks in mortal combat.

22. Birds at the fountain, Birds volunteer to pose at the bird fountain or feeder.

23. Glamour girls, showgirls, ladies of the evening that represent a value view point.

24. Mother and child. Variations on the theme.

25. Water colors of fishes of unknown ancestry.