Art Review: The Fountainhead

The Fountainhead is a novel by Ayn Rand about individual freedom vs. facism. I haven't read all of it yet, but the half I did read is writting amazingly. Plus, Roark is a favorite character of mine. Read it!

  M.S Mark

Art in the News: 100 Artists

100 obsure artists have been collected in a book for your viewing pleasure! Article is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/magazine/shea-hembrey.html?_r=1&ref=arts



M.S Mark

Critique Me: "Juiced"

This is a self portrait in black and white from last year. Please comment!

M.S Mark

Art Review: Doubt

Doubt is a play written by John Patrick Shanley. It's about a nun trying to confront a Catholic priest for being involved with a student. But there's no evidence. The play questions the roles of good and evil, and where doubt can take you.

M.S Mark

Critique Me: Train

This is my friend on out way to the Chicago Christmas Market. I like the lighting here. Please comment!

M.S Mark

Art in the News: Artist Jumps Out Window to Prove Point

An artist jumps out of his window Hollywood style to impress art critics. The article can be found here: http://www.artnews.com/2011/12/06/biting-the-hand-that-feeds-them/. The man prepared with a stuntman for this.

M.S Mark

Art Review: SLC Punk!

SLC Punk is narrated by Stevo, a punker living in Salt City in 1985. His rants on posers, music, anarchy, beer, and drugs set the landscape of his hectic and off-the-wall life. The characters in this movie are superbly uniquely rendered. It has definitly become my new favorite movie

M.S Mark 

Art in the News: Black

Princeton University press has published a book called Black: The History of a Color. ARTnews has an article giving the brief history of the color, here: http://www.artnews.com/2011/11/24/the-color-that-wasn%e2%80%99t-a-color/

M.S Mark

Critique Me: "Self-Portraits" Work-in-Progress

This is my digital self-portrait so far. Trying to smooth out the values is a pain. Comment please!

M.S Mark

My Project Choices

Album Cover Designer

Character Design for Animation

Book Jacket Design

For Monica. Bye Lawler.

M.S. Mark

Art Review: A Clockwork Orange

Either read the book or see the movie. Both stand on their own as literary/cinematic masterpieces. The story follows a the ultra-violent life of Alex; a young sociopath in a post-Cold War landscape.

The book is completly written in Alex's slang, Nadsat, a combination of Russian words and Shakespearean English. Its comentary of free will within the boundaries of good and evil are unparalleled. 

The movie, directed by Stanley Kubrik (2001: Space Odessy, Lolita, Fullmetal Jacket), uses fisheye lenses, rapid motion, synthesized music and other surreal effects to create Alex's universe. 

It is an amazing experience. 

M.S. Mark 



   

BLOG WEB!: Digital Art

Here's my web Lawler! My brain kind of went on this ramble about the different stuff you'd learn about in each field of study.

M.S. Mark

Art in the News: Jessica Walsh

Jessica Walsh, a designer/illustrator, recently won the New Visual Artist's award. The website with her really cool interactive portfolio is here: http://jessicawalsh.com/. The article interviewing her is here: http://imprint.printmag.com/editors-picks/2011-nva-winner-jessica-walsh/

M.S. Mark

Art Review: GreenDay Music Videos

I wanted to review Green Day's music vids because I am interested in cinematography and the photographic aspects of film. The three here are "Jesus of Suburbia", "When I Come Around" and "Brain Stew/Jaded". Each of these stands on their own, but some common elements of the videos are their use of direct, face-blanching, lights, and odd perspectives. They often tell stories of jaded/dystopic characters and focus on facial expressions to follow the storyline as well as convey the tension in their songs. A good example of this is their "Good Riddance" video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc

I like the use of intense color in the majority of their shots, ("Jaded" and "Jesus of Suburbia"). The high contrast directs the viewer to the portraits pervading the videos along with the lyrics of the song. The emphasis on faces shows the wide range of diversity within the human face, as well as the universiallity of the emotions they convey.

Overall, their videos are striking works of art and I like them because of the skill evident in their creation over a multitude of media and by a variety of artists.

M.S Mark  

Critique Me: "Calve Leg Grommet"

This was a perspective study from last year's photo class. One of my favorites. Tell me what you think!

M.S. Mark

Art in the News: Artist Royalties? Rights Under Fire

The New York Times published an article saying artists are defending their rights to royalties in court. It can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/arts/design/artists-file-suit-against-sothebys-christies-and-ebay.html?ref=designblished . The issue is, if art is resold for a higher price, should the artist get a cut? What do you think?

M.S. Mark

Steve McCurry's Portraits

I recently found a book of Steve McCurry's portraits in my classroom. I didn't realize just how cool his photos were. The Afgahn Girl is his most famous, but many other portraits are just as good if not better. These absolutly blew me away.

M.S. Mark

 

Critique Me: Spaceship in a Window

Do you see it? I like how I was able to light the object. Honestly, it was a lucky break. But I think the blend is good, even if the perspective is off.

Comment!

M.S Mark

Art in the News: Hospital Art Inspires Overall Wellbeing

 Chicago Tribune contributor Lori Waxman explore the purposes and effects of art in hospitals. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/art/ct-ent-1027-hospital-art-waxman-20111026,0,7144484.story . This painting is by Stephen Williams. The article talks about the psychological effects of art in cardiac patients.

M.S Mark

Art In the News: Egyptian Revolutionary Art

Egypt's revolution has sparked a series of graffit murals by the Goethe Institute in Alexandria. The link to the article is found here:  http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Graffiti-art-honours-Egypt's-revolution/24889

M.S. Mark

If you've never read The Great Divorce or The Screwtape Letters, it's an experience. C.S Lewis authored both books (yes, the Narnia Guy). Inside the books you will find, busses from hell, an exasperated devil, talking salamanders, methods of spiritual coruption, an incompetent demon-nephew, a scottisch author, and some very confused/unreliable narrators. 

M.S Mark

Critique Me: 3d Models

LOOKY!!!

I don't know what they are, but their cool lookin'!

Comment!

M.S. Mark

Art Review: "Now! (It's Just the Gas!)" Little Shop of Horrors

Anyone a Little Shop of Horrors fan? This is the funniest take on The Dentist I've ever seen. Who needs Steve Martin? These two guys have real talent. The animation of Dr. Scrivello embodies the farcical nature of the play. He absolutly steals the scene!

M.S Mark

Critique Me: Letter City

Made this city in Google Sketchup! I like the perspective! And the shadows add interest. I could play with this program all day!

M.S. Mark

Art News: Wow...just...wow.

Ever hear of sleepwalking? How about sleep drawing? Lee Hadwin has made a living producing art in his sleep. He cannot reproduce the work when awake, and does not remember any of the process. A video with footage of this strange talent is on the BBC's website, here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14706864

M.S Mark

Art Review: "I Need You to Love Me" Barlowgirl

Barlowgirl is a christian band and their song "I Need You to Love Me" is currently my favorite song. It's very heartfelt and the cinematography tells a great story. The link to their website is here: http://www.barlowgirl.com/. The lyrics talk about the singer's need for God and the nature of his love for her. What I like the most is the power the lead singer transmits with her voice and the etheral sounding harmonies.

M.S Mark



Critique Me: Architechture Photography

This is the staircase of the Plainfield Public Library. I like this photo because of the lighting and perspective. I think I could darken some places though.

M.S. Mark

Art Reveiw: Psalm 139:1-18

Gerrit Van Honthorst's King David Playing the Harp

The following is Psalm 139: 1-18 from the Bible. I like these verses because of the examination of God's character and His relationship with us within them. The Psalms are a collection of songs written by David, who was king of Israel at the time. They were like his journal. He puts a lot of his feelings and troubles in them. Plus he played the harp. And knew how to use a slingshot. Cool guy.

 Psalm 139

New Living Translation (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

 ¹ O Lord, you have examined my heart

      and know everything about me.

 ² You know when I sit down or stand up.

      You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

 ³ You see me when I travel

      and when I rest at home.

      You know everything I do.

 ⁴ You know what I am going to say

      even before I say it, Lord.

 ⁵ You go before me and follow me.

      You place your hand of blessing on my head.

 ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

      too great for me to understand!

 ⁷ I can never escape from your Spirit!

      I can never get away from your presence!

 ⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there;

      if I go down to the grave,^[a] you are there.

 ⁹ If I ride the wings of the morning,

      if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

 ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,

      and your strength will support me.

 ¹¹ I could ask the darkness to hide me

      and the light around me to become night—

    ¹² but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.

   To you the night shines as bright as day.

      Darkness and light are the same to you.

 ¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

      and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

 ¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

      Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

 ¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

      as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

 ¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.

      Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

   Every moment was laid out

      before a single day had passed.

 ¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me,^[b] O God.

      They cannot be numbered!

 ¹⁸ I can’t even count them;

      they outnumber the grains of sand!

   And when I wake up,

      you are still with me!

M.S Mark



DONE!

DING!

BEHOLD MY COMICKY-CONCEPT ART!!!!!

Painstakingly Penned By,
M.S Mark

Art News: McQueen Fashion

The Victoria and Albert Museum of London, is trying to bring a fashion exibit to the museum. The exibit is "Savage Beauty" by the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. This caught my eye, because the exibit is presented very well, in a well lit, intricate display. I also was impressed by how they presented the clothes on manikins instead of live models. I think this lets the viewer focus more the artistry of the clothing designs. Ultimately this is an interesting series of pieces.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Alexander-McQueen-show-for-London?/24650

M.S Mark

Art Review: Children 18:3

NEW FAVORITE BAND!

Children 18:3 is a christian alternative/punk band from Morris Minnesota. My Chemical Romance fan? Then these guys are right in your wheelhouse. Their lyrics are significantly happier though, (Hard to believe right?). Siblings David, Seth, and Lee Marie make up the group, and for three guys they make some SERIOUS NOISE! Some tracks to look at:

"All My Balloons", "Oh, Bravo!", "Cover Your Eyes", and "Oh, Honestly".

Buy their merch and check out their myspase here: http://www.children183.com/

M.S Mark

Critique Me: Floating City Work-In-Progress: 2

Here is my Floating City painting again! I like the clouds. The city could use some more detail. Maybe windows. Windows would be nice. I think the perspective's a little off. I had to flip the painting in order to fix the light source. Well, that's it. Hopefully this gets done before deadline day. Times like this I wish we had telepathic computers.

M.S. Mark



Art News: Piper Brett

These are two sculptures from Brett's Love Me series



Piper Brett carved a niche for herself in the art world:
Giant-Minimalism. Her sculptures consist of larger than life everyday objects. Yet despite the simplistic look, the sculptures hold an underlying complexity in their symbolic and emotional meanings.

Below are links to her blog and website.

http://piperbrett.blogspot.com/

http://piperbrett.com/

The news story about her work can be found here.

http://www.artnews.com/2011/08/30/pop-goes-minimalism/

M.S. Mark

Art Review: Relient K "Who I am Hates Who I've Been"

 
Relient K's music video for their song "Who I am Hates Who I've Been" is one of my favorites. The effects are really interesting and the song has a good message about self-growth and Christianity.

M.S Mark

Critique Me: Untitled Portrait

You may know this child.
She is NOT missing, but she was the subject of this portrait around christmas time a few years ago. It's one of my favorites because of the perspective and amazing lighting. the eyes and expression are emotive and striking. Please leave critisisim. Preferably the constructive kind.

M.S. Mark

Art News: Dung Paintings

You heard right. Chris Ofili, an English student artist in 1992, travelled to Zimbabwe to create paintings for a local mission. The three paintings he created were made from elephant dung. Now they are in need of conservation due to the material. The trip did much to influence his style. The dung is now a signature of his.                                                    

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ofili%e2%80%99s-first-dung-works-discovered/24448

M.S. Mark 

Nightcore is a music group that creates remixed versions of pop songs. This is a remix of "Right Round" by Flo Rida. I don't usually listen to the trance/techno genre of music, but this causght my attention because I liked the song's faster tempo. I think it's a definate improvement over the original. 

          






M.S Mark

Work-in-Progress: Cloud City

This is the preliminary sketch and under painting for my cloud city landscape. Please comment. I think there's not enough contrast in the sky, but these are only the first steps. Watch out for the finished product.

M.S Mark

Art News: Mark Handforth

The Museum of Contemporarary Art is host four new sculptures by Mark Handforth. The use many everyday items like streetlamps and roadsigns. His work is often focused on teh surreal. The link below explains some of the materials and ideas utilized in his pieces. The sculputres debut in July of 2011.

http://www.artnews.org/mcachicago/?exi=28349

M.S Mark

Art Review: When You're Strange

 This is a sketchbook by Violenn Simon made in 2008. It is a series of images synced with the song "When You're Strange" by The Doors. Below are links to both the Youtube and Vimeo videos, and Simon's blog. I like the idea of the sequential image lyric book. The images themselves are fantastical, dreamike and emotive. Simon does a wonderful job of capturing the mood of the song. 5 stars!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZddbkCQLmo

http://www.vimeo.com/2354261

http://www.violennsimon.com/blog/2008/11/28/people-are-strange/

Strangely Yours,
M.S. Mark