Unit 1: Abstract Art
Section 1:Inquiry Question and Concept Exploration
Inquiry Statement:
How can movement, intuition, and destruction be used as tools to uncover meaning and shape a more resolved abstract artwork
Reflection
At first I was really skeptical of obliteration, as I didn't see it as a productive or good art tool, since I saw it as destroying my piece of art. However, after using it myself, I now understand that in abstract art, it is not about getting it the first time around; it's actually better to experiment and remove some parts you don't feel great about, go off the canvas, and experiment with line widths so that the piece comes out amazing at its final stage.
Section 2: Connections
In the process of creating my abstract piece, I followed mainly the influences of these three artists. I used Jessica Schneider's moon as inspiration for a dark background color in which I could make colors pop. In the same manner, I used Jackson Pollock's Convergence to realize that chaotic splotches and lines could make a painting look so chaotic yet so calming. As for Maria Esnar's Energy, it taught me to use a diverse array of colors so that my painting never feels boring or lackluster.
Section 3: Investigate
Composition Notes
My first instance of obliteration In the form of blue paint
Early stages of my drawing when I was laying the groundwork for my piece with the black chalk background
Composition
The way objects are arranged within a frame. A good composition has elements that are seemlesly placed to catch the eyes attention
The Rule of Thirds
Equally dividing the canvas into nine equal squares or into thirds
This piece started with a white background filled with every material I could get my hands off, like chalk, paint, and pencil. As I worked on the piece and with the materials, I got a feel for what materials I wanted to use and how I wanted to use them. I decided to go all out with my chalk and cover most of the white background to create a dark space that could make colors pop. I mostly used Asymmetrical and radial compositions as they helped me go for my vision of a space-inspired abstract piece. The evidence of this is the various Asymmetrical spheres and lines, not to mention the star that shows a radial composition.
Section 4: Create
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
The first day of this project, I tried to follow Ms. Shamburek's instructions to perfection. This is because I lacked a clear path of what I wanted to make and was still new to my materials. However, by the second day, I started feeling more comfortable experimenting and straying away from the instructions by following inspirations like the moon, a painting by my own mother. The following days, I turned the whole background black and went for a space aesthetic, adding spheres, stars, and even a black hole in my canvas, which kept the aesthetic through the remainder of the project.
Section 5: Final Artwork
Artist: Joaquin Escalante
Title: Pulsar
Size: 51cm x 37cm
Date of Completion: Aug 27, 2025
Why: With this piece, I wanted to convey the vastness yet fullness that a massive place or force like space can convey.
Section 6: Communicate and reflect
In retrospect, this unit has been really enjoyable yet challenging, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and even taught me things about myself. At the beginning of the unit, I was kind of disappointed as I saw abstract painting as just painting with no direction or purpose, which, to be fair, it kind of is. However, I wasn't aware that there was fun in that randomness, the feeling of just having no expectation to stress you out. Mistakes can be turned into masterpieces; basically, that's what this unit taught me. After all, abstract art can be anything you want it to be. With this new mindset and my art piece steadily improving, I was able to start having fun with the canvas, especially with the chalks. I say this because at the beginning, I hated my art piece, and I heard that it was normal, but regardless, I found it quite hard to get inspiration from something I didn't enjoy. Once this unit started making sense, it all went uphill. Of course, some mishaps, like pieces I didn't like, caused me a little bit of stress, but at that point, I already understood the beauty of mistakes. Which made me think, why not use this positive outlook in my day-to-day life? Without anything left to say, my favorite part of my painting has to be the star in the middle, as I think it catches the eye of the viewer before anything else. Its bright coloring and central positioning make it a perfect centerpiece for this piece.