Title: A moment in time
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 2ft x 2ft
Completion: October 2021
Exhibition Text:
Oftentimes individuals are rushing to meet their goals or get somewhere as fast as they can, and they do not focus on living in the moment. My piece, 'A moment in time', serves as a commentary on the quick-paced life of American culture. Inspired by Jozef Czapski's color and expression, this painting of Times Square takes an observational perspective of daily life in one the largest cities in the world.
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 2ft x 2ft
Completion: October 2021
Exhibition Text:
Oftentimes individuals are rushing to meet their goals or get somewhere as fast as they can, and they do not focus on living in the moment. My piece, 'A moment in time', serves as a commentary on the quick-paced life of American culture. Inspired by Jozef Czapski's color and expression, this painting of Times Square takes an observational perspective of daily life in one the largest cities in the world.
Inspiration
Jozef Czapski was a Polish painter that depicted everyday moments in his work. He portrayed 'the essence of things', preferring to capture the general idea of a scene rather than being hyper-realistic. This artist integrated the theme of 'normal' life into these pieces, and paints the images in such a way that makes it appear the viewer is there looking at the scene through their own eyes. The scenes could be viewed all across the world and are not location specific to any one country or culture.
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Exposition, 1977
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Bar, 1956
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Train de Banlieue (Commuter Train)
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The artist captured ordinary scenes, and painted them with vivid, heavily saturated hues. Additionally, he plays with contrast in 'Train de Banlieue', with the weary, sleeping woman and the bright colors of the background. The posters on the wall of a woman drinking wine and sunshine dramatically differ from the dark colors of the woman's face, suggesting a mood of exhaustion. Furthermore, what drew me into this scene was how he took something so simple and mundane and brought the scenario to life. By illuminating the colors and drawing attention through bright hues, Czapski catches a viewer's eye before they observe the image. His decision to not make the woman the central focus of the painting but rather place her in the corner suggests that she is often forgotten or lonely, and cast aside.
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On exhibition at Petit Palais
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In his painting, 'On exhibition at Petit Palais', the artist depicts a scene of two people sitting still on the benches while the rest of the figures appear to be in a hurry around them. By including many people, it gives the sense that the exhibition was very packed and a popular spot for people to visit. The green and yellow shirts pop against the darker colors the other people are wearing. I like how in this painting, Czapski uses black outlines of everything depicted, including the handbag and jackets, which create a strong contrast. Although the colors are placed next to one another, they are very distinct against the background. Additionally, I found it to be interesting that the artist focuses on the people as opposed to the artwork being shown. Showcasing individuals from an observational viewpoint is a common theme in his work.
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Planning
Process
I began my process by selecting a photo I wished to draw inspiration from. The picture depicts New York City, specifically Times Square, in 2018. This particular image has always been one of my favorites because of how intricate it is. The lights, buildings, cars, and people all create a busy yet beautiful scene. What really draws me in is that everyone present in the photo is going about their individual lives yet they are all in the same place at the same time. I wanted to imitate this particular photo because of how American culture is portrayed at one of the largest cities in the world. To begin creating my artwork, I first created a 10 x 10 grid with the help of a website, and drew the grid onto my canvas. The squares ended up being 2.4 x 2.4 inches and because of how much detail the piece has, I knew that methodically transferring the image would be the wisest way for me to draw it out. While drawing the piece on the canvas, I worked from the outside in and continued until many main highlights of the piece were captured. Although I did not include absolutely everything, many components were a part of the sketch and had general figures instead of being ultra-specific and hyper-realistic.
Something I quickly realized was that my lines appeared to be off, as the crosswalk and other road lines did not seem to be angled the same way. This was something I decided to revisit later after filling in more of the painting. Then, I decided to switch to a more sporadic technique, by filling in the colors where I saw them when I mixed paint. This was because acrylic paint dries up very quickly, and I was having difficulty replicating hues when I worked on the piece square by square. The artist's paintings are layered with color and the paint was applied thickly, and I also found trying to replicate his technique to be difficult as anticipated because of the acrylic medium I was using and this did not come as a massive surprise to me.
Like Czapski, I aimed to capture the feeling and emotion of the vibrant scene. While painting, creating a photorealistic piece was not my goal. Instead, I outlined many buildings and lines with black paint so the viewer could understand what was being represented. I decided to start with the black outlines so it would be clear to me what was being shown and what would need to get done as I was working through the process. From there, I went on to add pops of color and gradually went in with more details. Some of my lines are not entirely straight and the components are not exact, but my aim was for the viewer to understand what I was trying to represent.
To finish the rest of my painting, I continued filling in the sections by color. It became more difficult to separate the different parts, such as the buildings, because of the similarity between the lines and colors. When I started creating the people, I varied the colors of hair, skin tone, and clothing by adding small blots of color to the canvas. While working, I wanted to maintain the contrast so I would sometimes paint over sections I previously painted, like black lines, to keep it standing out. The process took more time than anticipated due to the high level of detail I wanted to include, and I wanted to try and leave no white spaces of the canvas underneath showing. Overall, I am proud of the hard work I put into creating the piece and maintaining my focus.
Experimentation
One of the most important parts of Jozef Czapski's work is his usage of color. I knew that I wanted to achieve similar bold saturation to him, so one thing I practiced was getting the hues accurate. Additionally, I wanted to put the technique to use and get an idea of how I wanted to paint prior to my brush touching the canvas. So, I took sections from the four corners of my photo, drew them to size, and painted them similarly to how I would for my final piece. This helped me realize that I needed to wait longer than I thought for paint to dry so the colors could come out looking sharp.
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Furthermore, to ensure the strokes were not muddled together when I did not want them to appear that way. I experimented with brushes of various sizes and shapes. What I discovered was that the pointed paintbrush gave me the desired affect of being precise but not too angular, so I used that for the human figures. For larger portions or to create texture on the ground or building, a square brush was more beneficial. Additionally, because a large number of people are depicted in the work, I wanted to figure out how to portray them so that they were all separate and stood out against the gray sidewalk or road. I needed to go back and add additional layers after the first layer dried to create a non-translucent individual. When it came to making the shape of their bodies, I decided a simple head and triangular-shaped blob would be sufficient for the viewer to understand I was portraying people with these shapes.
Another part of my experimentation was working to create specific hues. I tried to use varying amounts of paint until I achieved the desired color. Because color is important in both pieces, this was something that was very important to me and with trial and error, I created the specific shades that I desired.
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Critique
'Train de Banlieue (Commuter Train)'
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'A moment in time'
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'On exhibition at Petit Palais'
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Line is similar between 'A moment in time' and Jozef Czapski's 'On exhibition at Petit Palais' because both pieces use black lines outlining the figures. These lines create emphasis on the different forms and contrast them from the background. Additionally, they create a stronger pop of color which enhances the vibrance of the pieces, creating a positive mood. Color is another similarity, as the two artworks share very rich hues, and include highlights and shadows. Furthermore, there is a connection between the theme of the work. Both paintings were painted from the perspective of an onlooker to an everyday scene. The content depicted in the pieces has a lot going on, but this draws to the commentary about how individuals live their lives. When it came to painting the people, both Czapski and I made the choice to create the general form of a person, instead of being hyper-realistic. What can be drawn out of both pieces is that there is a purposeful intention as to creating the feel of what is represented.
Texture differs because Jozef Czapski's work uses thickly applied paint and overlaps hues to create a solid appearing block of color. My acrylic paint was not put on the canvas as thickly as his work and there is a distinct slightly scratchy texture. For certain sections, I filled in the component with one solid color instead of 'A moment in time' also takes up more space on the canvas that Czapski's piece. My artwork has a very busy feel, which is emphasized by the components being cramped together and leaving very little space in between elements. One section of the painting does not immensely dominate the canvas, which contrasts with Czapski's work which has a single solid-colored portion drawing the viewer's eye.
Texture differs because Jozef Czapski's work uses thickly applied paint and overlaps hues to create a solid appearing block of color. My acrylic paint was not put on the canvas as thickly as his work and there is a distinct slightly scratchy texture. For certain sections, I filled in the component with one solid color instead of 'A moment in time' also takes up more space on the canvas that Czapski's piece. My artwork has a very busy feel, which is emphasized by the components being cramped together and leaving very little space in between elements. One section of the painting does not immensely dominate the canvas, which contrasts with Czapski's work which has a single solid-colored portion drawing the viewer's eye.
Reflection
Creating this painting truly aided my development as an artist, especially in terms of honing and refining my skills. This required doing research on how to effectively utilize the materials and breaking the project down into pieces and focusing on each component and brushstroke at a time was helpful when the task seemed too much for me to handle. I developed as an artist by working slowly to create a complex and detailed work. Throughout this entire process, I put a strong focus on paying attention to detail and moving forward cautiously. I want to take this and apply it to other projects I do in the future because I often find myself rushing and trying to complete a piece as quickly as possible. However, I really took the time to slow down and question every choice I made and why I was making it while doing my piece, and I think that enhanced my skills because not only did I grow through creating the actual art but how I think about the pieces I make as well; both of which are incredibly important.
'A moment in time' is particularly inspired by Jozef Czapski's paintings. I mimicked his painting technique in my work and was moved by his style. The biggest challenge I encountered was due to the technique I chose. It was difficult for me to stay patient as I put in the time and effort to complete the piece. Additionally, trying to replicate a photo was particularly challenging because I wanted to get an accurate representation. This project tie together previously learned exercises and concepts by my ability to apply what I learned about painting in the past to this piece. Also, I had to apply my photography and drawing skills to take an image and put it on the canvas. I already recognized the importance of knowing how I want to make the viewer feel, and how it's a driving force in the planning process which aided me in painting.
The part of my work I am the most proud of is the bright pops of color. I enjoy the way that the different colors swirl and mix together from a distance, but when you take a closer look the viewer is able to tell all of the various hues. By the time I got around to doing this part, I had experience in mixing colors and brushstrokes from doing earlier sections, so I was able to get the most out of what I had learned. The least favorite part of my painting is the technique I used, as the paint is applied thinner than my inspiration. All in all, I hope others view my work as a piece as a statement about the fast-pace of American culture. The message I want to convey within my work is that people can find beauty within a busy life, if they stop for a moment and take time to look around.
'A moment in time' is particularly inspired by Jozef Czapski's paintings. I mimicked his painting technique in my work and was moved by his style. The biggest challenge I encountered was due to the technique I chose. It was difficult for me to stay patient as I put in the time and effort to complete the piece. Additionally, trying to replicate a photo was particularly challenging because I wanted to get an accurate representation. This project tie together previously learned exercises and concepts by my ability to apply what I learned about painting in the past to this piece. Also, I had to apply my photography and drawing skills to take an image and put it on the canvas. I already recognized the importance of knowing how I want to make the viewer feel, and how it's a driving force in the planning process which aided me in painting.
The part of my work I am the most proud of is the bright pops of color. I enjoy the way that the different colors swirl and mix together from a distance, but when you take a closer look the viewer is able to tell all of the various hues. By the time I got around to doing this part, I had experience in mixing colors and brushstrokes from doing earlier sections, so I was able to get the most out of what I had learned. The least favorite part of my painting is the technique I used, as the paint is applied thinner than my inspiration. All in all, I hope others view my work as a piece as a statement about the fast-pace of American culture. The message I want to convey within my work is that people can find beauty within a busy life, if they stop for a moment and take time to look around.
ACT Questions
1) Clearly explain and describe how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
I am able to identify that Jozef Czapski's work has an impact on my work through vibrant hues, use of black lines, and depicting a setting of everyday life.
2) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The artist transformed 'ordinary' scenes and brought them to life with bright, saturated colors. His aim was to create a piece of work because he found it enjoyable.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
What I have discovered is that there is beauty in the little things in life, and watching other people go about their daily routine can be an interesting thing. American culture is oftentimes so focused on being busy that individuals forget to stop and look around.
4) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I was searching for inspiration with vibrant hues, which I applied in my own painting to transfer some of the concepts I researched into my piece. I also wanted to find an artist that connected to my Polish culture that had a similar art style to me.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
One inference that I made was that although Czapski had traumatic experiences with war, he preferred to paint about his life now which shows that art can be a way to heal.
I am able to identify that Jozef Czapski's work has an impact on my work through vibrant hues, use of black lines, and depicting a setting of everyday life.
2) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The artist transformed 'ordinary' scenes and brought them to life with bright, saturated colors. His aim was to create a piece of work because he found it enjoyable.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
What I have discovered is that there is beauty in the little things in life, and watching other people go about their daily routine can be an interesting thing. American culture is oftentimes so focused on being busy that individuals forget to stop and look around.
4) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I was searching for inspiration with vibrant hues, which I applied in my own painting to transfer some of the concepts I researched into my piece. I also wanted to find an artist that connected to my Polish culture that had a similar art style to me.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
One inference that I made was that although Czapski had traumatic experiences with war, he preferred to paint about his life now which shows that art can be a way to heal.
Bibliography
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/train-de-banlieue-commuter-train-j%C3%B3zef-czapski/rQGn1DTbVWl3Yw
https://culture.pl/en/artist/jozef-czapski
http://www.artnet.com/artists/joseph-czapski/
https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/2019/06/jozef-czapski-havent-heard-of-him-a-one-stop-opportunity-to-learn-of-one-of-the-20th-centurys-greatest-spirits/
https://culture.pl/en/artist/jozef-czapski
http://www.artnet.com/artists/joseph-czapski/
https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/2019/06/jozef-czapski-havent-heard-of-him-a-one-stop-opportunity-to-learn-of-one-of-the-20th-centurys-greatest-spirits/