Vicente O'Neill- My Dog Sighs Level 4 work Shop

Local Portsmouth street artist 'My Dog Sighs' came to deliver a lecture to us on how and why he produces his unique pieces of found 'rubbish' art. Quirky and uplifting, his realistic paintings on cans and crisp wrappers are a delight to look at. We were then instructed to create our own piece of art with a piece of rubbish we found. After completing the painting we had to then replace it where we originally found them, leaving the pieces of art to the mercy of the world.
Here is my own response:

Emily Carleton - Tiger

For my project I decided to focus on tigers as I've always had a fascination with them. Their characteristics such as their markings and love of water make them unique creatures. I found it interesting to learn from my research that tigers have always been both feared and revered throughout history, and subsequently they are often associated with royalty and power. This therefore became my focus towards the end of the project.

Dan Curtis - Elephants

I decided to develop my project around elephants as I think the contrast in beliefs surrounding them, including biologically and religiously, are something that need to be addressed and are certainly something I was interested in exploring. The fact that in one part of the world they are considered to be god-like animals, whereas in another part they are relentlessly hunted and butchered for their tusks both intrigued and disgusted me; not to mention how they have been and still are being put through horrible conditions so they can be used in circuses for our entertainment. As you'll see in some of my work, I tried to combine the metaphors and symbolism found in Indian art with the tacky style of old circus posters to comment on the treatment they've received.

These images below were inspired by Salvador Dali's many paintings of elephants, in which they have extremely spindly legs to emphasise their dream-like weightlessness - mine were done by blowing large bits of watercolours all over the page and then drawing an elephant into the shapes they produced.

Holly Newman - Magpie

Magpies are hugely misunderstood animals, with a stigma that follows them around and instills fear in some who cross their paths. I chose to focus my Research Methodology on Magpies because I wanted to learn more about them, and was surprised to find out that the stories I was taught about them were exactly that- stories! Myths and fables told and retold, traveling down through generations.  

Magpies are notorious for stealing shiny, precious items, like jewellery. I wanted to play on this myth and explore themes of greed and always wanting MORE. 

John Lihou - Poison Dart Frog

John Lihou - Poison Dart Frog

Screen Print

Wire Frog

Charcoal

Psychedelic Type

I chose to base my project on the Poison Dart Frog as I was interested in how the potency of their poison is so great compared to their small size. Another reason I decided on this animal for my project was the vibrant, psychedelic colours that are displayed on their bodies that resemble some sort of design from the 60's or 70's (this being a main influence on the work that I have created). For the final piece I explored into deforestation and the effects of man on the animal which led to me creating artwork based on animal and rain forest conservation.

Hannah Summerton - Wolf

Wolf Drawing with fine liners and blue graphic pen

Stencils that I cut out with cardboard and printed with paint using autumn colours that blended together and with I also over lapped them

 Using inks, coffee and water a very messing wolf drawing with bleeding and smudges 

Fine line and water, I discovered if you drawing with the fine liner and then use water you can use of to make a smokey ghost like effect

Cleo Parker -Brown bear

                                                        Bear and elephant story board

                                          Lino print of a bear sleeping from a short bear poem

                                                         Grizzly Bear book of poems


Bears have always been a favourite of mine ever since I was little, from children's book illustrations to documentaries I find them to be inteligant fun animals. I have always been interested in bears being cuddly, fun, loving animals in children's story books, yet these animals are extremely dangerous predators. They aren't an animal i'd want to bump into, however they are beautiful creatures and fun to illustrate.