Allison Schulnik: Hobo Clown

Here is a video that was brought to my attention today by my printmaking instructor. Above are stills from the film. At first he was explaining to me how this particular artists utilizes impasto and uses it to build a three dimensional surface on her canvases. Then he mentioned this stop motion clay video that this artist made as an extension of her paintings. Here is a link to Allison Schulnik's film Hobo Clown (2008). Initially I was disturbed by the imagery but eventually found myself mesmerized by the movement of the clay. She made some interesting decisions as far as how she was choosing to manipulate and utilize the clays moldable qualities. I especially enjoyed the moments where she folded the clay onto itself during the open field scene and revealed the layers resting underneath. The melting was also a wicked cool part (boston accent).

Multiple Polaroid Scale Monotypes.

Here are a few images I recently created using the monotype process to help expand a concept I have been focusing on for a couple months now. It's based on memories that I do not own myself but rather the memories I interpret my immediate family to have. I use vintage polaroids as a reference point as I spontaneous conjure up seemingly fictitious moments in the past. I use my subject matter as a sort of meditative reference point as I formulate fictitious memories to help gain a sense of connection with those relatives I share a distant relationship. It is my hope that I will be able to gain a heightened sense of identity and unspoken intimate connection with those relatives I have not had the opportunity to experience with in a tangible and supportive relationship.

Alice Neel is My Homegirl!

Virgil Thomson

Oil on Canvas

1971

48"x37"

I have loved Alice Neel from the day I fell in love with painting. I have never emulated her work until now and I'm very excited to post some of the studies I have completed in my monotype class. Until I get photogarphs of my work I will tempt you with an Alice Neel original! To look at more of Alice Neel's paintings and learn more about her tumultuous life click here.

More Monotypes

"Opaline Study"

9"x12"

Monotype

"Unknown Relative"

9"x12"

Monotype

"Opaline Study"

9"x12"

Monotype

Monotypes

"Opaline"

9"x12"

Monotype

"Meatloaf Potluck"

9"x12"

Monotype

"First Home"

9"x12"

Monotype

"Grandfather Study"

9"x12"

Monotype

"September"

9"x12"

Monotype

I have been taking a win-term printmaking class that focuses on the Monotype printmaking process. The process is basically the application of paint/ink on a flat non-absorbent surface (plexi glass) using various application techniques, and then printing the image on a piece of paper that has been dampened to absorb the ink when put through a printing press. I wont go into the techniques here but I've posted various examples of my work thus far and if you are curious about how a print was achieve just shout out and I will explain.

Lets Tie-Dye the Snow

I came home today to find my roommates blue clothing dye all over the snow right by our front steps. Last time she put that stuff down the drain our plumbing system back up for a couple days... Lets just say i enjoy this version of discarding better, even though I question its effects on the environment.

Pinhole Camera images from fall 2009

These are the final three black and white images I took for my digital photography class fall 2009 final portfolio.

This is a larger painting I completed in September of 2009.
This is another larger painting I completed during late fall of 2009. It is my interpretation of a Polaroid image taken in the mid-sixties representing my father and his siblings during easter.

Here are a few polaroid studies I did as a painting a day requirement in my advanced painting class...

First Post

The last time I blogged was about 1.5 years ago... long time. i could use the excuse of school and work but I won't. Instead I will just get to the postings. This blog will hopefully help myself and others visually understand the progression of my artwork during the last semester of my senior year. I'm currently about one week away from the beginning of my last semester at UW-Stout and will soon be graduating with a BFA in Fine Arts and a BS in Arts Education!!! Here we go!