W3

I think I was about six years old when I learned that my ancestors were brought from Africa to the American South to be White mens' most important asset. My mom told me "you come from a line of STRONG, HARD-WORKING people." She explained to me that we would do BACK BREAKING work in the hot Southern sun and if we did not work to the masters pleasure we would be brutally and mercilessly beaten with hard leather skin- blistering whips. At six, I felt how I feel now when I think of the matter: perplexed, ANGRY, sad, and for some strange reason I will always wonder why? Why were MY people brought here as slaves to live in a country that promotes our demise and makes it so hard for us to survive. An image that stuck with me from the words of my mother comes from her explanation of washing clothes. "They would take the clothes rub them against the board and stroke back and forth using all their might." The methodical spirit breaking labor that I envision is sorrowful and inhumane but is the same work that brings about beauty and a delightful resilience that testifies to the bold and mighty Negro spirit of my people. My artwork was intended to capture how a simple washing board can be presented as a symbol of the excruciating work that shaped the very character of Negro slaves. I'm glad that I have inherited the strong and resilient traits of my ancestors but my mother said that I would have never have survived as a slave. 

W2

Using last weeks feedback, this week I wanted to do something that involved using my hands. After listening to the various versions of "Down in the Valley" and "You are my Sunshine"  I was left with feelings of contradictory happiness. Both songs elude to better times ahead in times of darkness or sorrow. I chose to channel the positivity and radiance that the the songs hint at. 

I went to the nearest physical space that uplifts me. That happens to be my backyard . From there I pulled the lively pink flowers and leaves off of a tree. The centerpiece of this project was the branch of green leaves with dead brown leaves at the center. This branch embodied both songs that are alive with sorrow. The pink leaves were symbolic of how it is so easy to look over the sorrowful undertones of these songs. I added penciled rays to the project for structure or what I thought might be an artistic element. 

W1

I have to admit, I almost did not take this class because of the artistic component. I have never been good at drawing or being creative. Nevertheless I have always deeply admired art and I long to discover my artistic potential. With that said I figured this class could be a great launching pad to discover some of that potential. For the first project I focused on the song "You Are My Sunshine." I took a very literal view when I thought of how I might represent the song in a visual presentation. I used my little dog Bella who is the most beautiful, blissful and loving eight pound creature in the world (to me of course) and put her up against a yellow background using Photoshop. Even though the work was very simple I did like its outcome. However, I do agree with what Professor Dubvosky pointed out, using a digital medium it served as a veil to my true novice artistic ability. Right: top Bella in Photoshop, bottom Bella in my mind