Critique

        My inspiration for this project was an artist named Erika Farkas. She was born in Transylvania, Romania, but has resided in Ottowa since 1987. I was captivated by her charcoal portraits. Sometimes an artist's works are intimidatingly good; her work is realistic, yet not to the point where it looks like a photograph. The fact that her works are well done without being intimidating gives her a relatable quality that I can identify with.

     I used the elements of contrast and form in my work. The use of charcoal exaggerates the contrast in the picture, particularly in the glass pieces of the chandelier. The chandelier is also where the element of form is most evident; by emphasizing lowlights and highlights, I tried to give the impression of multi-faceted and round pieces.

        I applied the principles of rhythm and emphasis in my work. The principle of rhythm is found in the smoothness in the glass and the eyelashes on the face. I tried to put emphasis on the face, and even more in the chandelier piece that I'm looking through.

 Critique (Cont.)

     My subject matter in this piece consisted of myself and a chandelier in our kitchen. I had just gotten home from volleyball practice and wanted nothing more than to flop on the couch and go to sleep, but I had too many responsibilities. As the years have gone on, I have increasingly become more busy. Right now I'm involved in Key Club, St. Jude Club, the volleyball team, House and All-School Councils, and the Bishop's Leadership Committee. I also have schoolwork, babysitting, and other chores to fit into my schedule, not to mention trying to get some amount sleep. You can see the mark of grey fatigue under my eyes, and my posture is droopy. However, you can also see the brightness in my eyes, the thing that somehow keeps me from collapsing from the two backpacks and drawing board I carry in every day. That is the content that I'm trying to convey in my piece.