Shady Suitcase

This drawing was done during the same day that we were thrown into the infant swimming pool of shading. I enjoyed the project, save the egg crate. I could not figure out how to draw and or shade it. It proved to be very frustrating, but I will not give up. I must learn how to portray this object on paper.

Closet Organization

The portraits you can partially see here have been individually posted in a previous post for you to view in full. What you are viewing here is the installation portion of the project. It is a closet for my self portraits, however, it also serves as a self portrait in and of itself. For example: I am a very organized person, so I designed a closet to represent me, and in turn organize the self portraits that I drew.
This project was one of my favorites even though my mental image of this project did not materialize into the final outcome, which is what you see here. One of the examples of this failed materialization was that the metal rope would not stay straight. As a result, the self portraits could not be equally spaced as I was hoping for. I also, in the time alloted, could not come up with a better way to hang the pictures from the rope. I played with some ideas which included: Hanging the pictures from both wires instead of individually, using fishing wire on both sides of the portraits and hanging them from the center of the two ropes, and using only one rope to hang all of the portraits. The reason for not using fishing line or any type of wire requiring me to thread it through the paper, was because I would not be able to remove the portraits, like clothing in a closet. As a consequence, I ended up with a design that did not meet my desired result. However, overall I am happy with how the project evolved, and I must say it is my favorite project thus far.

Shading Time

This is the first of many to come shading experiments. The image of a young child being thrown into a swimming pool before he is taught how to swim is what I juxtapose with how we were thrown into this exercise. Thus, out instructors have told us that we will take a step back, now that we have been exposed to this different characteristic of drawing. I am looking forward to learning how to portray the different values we see in everyday objects, and the way light affects our views of interiors.

Dancing Pumpkin

My girlfriend and I decided that we would carve pumpkins this year, so we went to the farmers market, and chose pumpkins that we deemed acceptable for each of our designs. This being my first time carving a pumpkin, I was not really sure what to look for. Nevertheless, I found and bought a pumpkin that I viewed as aesthetically pleasing and proportionally appropriate. Thus began the design process. As you can see, in various designs of mine, dance has been an important inspiration. As a result, I chose an image I thought would exhibit the dancers well, by having a copious amount of negative space. This pumpkin will be displayed at my atelier for those who wish to see it.

Silk-Wood

Project- We were tasked with taking the person who is above and below our name on the IAR blog, pick one 3-d object from each person and fuse them together. I chose to amalgamate a red silk clutch with a triangular pencil container. Here below are my initial ideas, and sketches for this fusion that is about to take place. The element that I am going to fuse is the texture of the two projects. I will attempt to coalesce wood, and red silk. I hope you will eagerly wait to see the outcome.

Stage One

Here we see that the clutch design has integrated itself with the pencil case. However, the pencil case is clearly more prominent in design, for it is the structure. The lace and the red cloth are visually distinguished, because of the nature of their color and covering effect. Concerning the lace, I wanted to to show that the lace was not as attached to the pencil case as it was to the clutch. Here, we can see that is entwined in the pencils, however its end is loosed .

Stage Two

As this project was set into motion, we the students, were inquiring of each other whether or not these designs should be purely functional or expressive. As designers, we are to decide for ourselves the direction in which we take our projects, and their intended purposes. In my three projects I wanted to combine function and artistic value. Here below is the middle ground of the two projects I chose, and I decided to make this design non functional and more expressive. The red clutch and lace have melted to form a puddle on top of wood pencils that have nothing left but wood. The cardboard case the pencils were held in has also been broken down, and left with nothing but a remnant of the original material.

Stage Three

Pencils in a white triangular box, and a red clutch with lacy trim. This is the outcome of blending the two, leaning more towards the clutch. Furthermore, the pencils were organized in the white triangular case, so I decided to organize them in this clutch as well.

Comic

Project - Draw two self portraits a day for 4 days, and on the fifth day present your self portraits in an installation that enhances our understanding of you. This is the first self portrait I created from this project. It is a comic view from the camera on my computer. The way the picture obscured my face appealed to me. I feel as if people do not really see me for who I really am at first. They have this blurred comic view of me. After all, an interior designer, fashion consultant, shopping connoisseur, United States Marine and ballroom dancer may be a little difficult to figure out right away.


















I call this a self portrait for the very reason that if you are ever exposed to my energetic side than you know I am all over the place. So, as you look at this self portrait you can see the lines are bouncing off the walls, are pulsing with colorful energy, and movement representing me on one of my energetic days.
P.S. Follow the purple lines.

Face Value

There are character traits that I see myself portraying, as well as people and activities that are a part of my life. I chose to display these character traits, and interests by pulling all of them out of my face leaving it obscured, and blank. When one looks at another he or she can not tell right away what that person's character traits, and interests are. He or she has to observe, and ask questions of that person to discover who they are. Do not take anyone for just face value. Invest yourself in their life.















Gardening, and landscaping is a love of mine, so I wanted to make a self portrait using God's beautiful creation. I accomplished this by making a mask to again, symbolize the fact that I have many interests behind my outward appearance. In addition to this initial meaning, this piece also portrays my love for the theatre, and for dance.

The Dancing Fashionista

I spoke of my love for restaurants earlier, and I feel analogously in regards to fashion. I how colors can accent, and compliment ones eyes, skin, hair and figure. Furthermore, texture can be visually, and physically rapturous. The scarf for example, entreats us to take it, and enjoy the softness it has to offer.
Dance is also a love of mine, but it is different from the above mentioned. Dance is my physical competitive outlet. I played sports all throughout high school so I needed something to release my desire to compete while still staying active, and dance was where I was led. Dance is so well suited for me because it also plays a role in many of my other interests. For example: Dance allows me to enjoy fashion, because everyone dresses up when one goes to dance or competition. Furthermore, people who dance also tend to be well dressed individuals. Dance also allows me express my desire to be chivalrous. I will most likely never be shunned for being a gentleman by escorting a lady by the arm, opening a door for a lady or pulling out a seat for a lady in the dance community.

Epicure

I have always enjoyed exploring, and critiquing new restaurants wherever my travels may take me. When I was in high school, I had no real expenses. As a result, I would take my friends, and an occasional date to new restaurants very often. The atmosphere, energy, warmth or coldness was always a novelty for me. I saw myself as a kid in a candy store exploring all my options. I cherish and appreciate those times, because at this point in my life I am counting pennies. However, I have found that I enjoy the taste of home cooking much more than restaurants. Having said this, nothing compares to the experience of a well designed novelty restaurant.

It has been said that the eye is the window to the soul, and if the eye is bad than the whole body is bad. I believe this, for I have observed it with my own eyes. It comes across to me that those who fill themselves visually with unwholesome images, results in their character not being very respectable. If this is not apparent from the surface, than one can normally observe the negative effects in his or hers' relationships. So, I have shown an eye here that is being filled with colorful, happy and energetic images, meant to portray wholesome perceptions.

Zine

Our project was to make a zine, which is a small magazine, and focus on the composition of the pages. The images you are about to see are of restaurants, boutiques and atelier's. What you are now reading is where the text will go in this composition. Also, as you browse through the pictures I would love to hear some feedback on what you think. Enjoy!

Relax For A While

The different seating areas in this restaurant give each guest a sense of personalization and privacy. Each returning guest can go to the same room they used in their previous visits and feel as if they have a sense of belonging and familiarity. The natural materials used also give one a feeling of peace and relaxation.

Warm and Inviting

Can you feel the warmth and coziness emanating from this picture. This would be a lovely restaurant to visit after a long day at work.

Boutiques

The raw look of this boutique make sit easy to find clothes and does not overwhelm the customers. The clothes become the center piece in the store, because they are the only primary source of color.





















Having the sunglasses in front of the window gives the effect that the sunglasses are being displayed and being used at the same time.

The Design Masquerade

I thought the title would be fitting since I am not yet a full fledged designer. However, I did design, and create this mask by hand. To give you some background information, our task was to create a container that houses a personal memory. Now, you may say that this is not a container. Furthermore, you may ask "what exactly does it house." Well, I am glad you asked. My first idea, which will be posted in a few days, was to design a box that resembled the Kennedy Center in D.C. This box would represent my first trip to the Kennedy Center, in which I attribute my journey and love for design, culinary arts, fashion, theatre and decorum. This box would have had many drawers which each would have symbolized a different aspect of my love for design in all areas of life. The roof was detachable, and underneath housed two chandeliers and two water fountains that are unique to the Kennedy Center. However, after my first critique I realized that I really needed to focus on one aspect of the Kennedy Center and not many. A couple days passed when an idea literally jumped into my head and YELLED, "HERE I AM. MAKE ME!" This mask contains, houses and provokes my memory of the Kennedy Center. The ribbon symbolizes the red carpet that everyone who ever attends the Kennedy Center walks on. The mask symbolizes the fact that the Kennedy Center is a theatre. So, when I look at this mask I am immediately taken to my first trip to Kennedy Center where I saw the Don Quixote Ballet, and the feelings I felt as I walked down the red carpet to enter the beautiful theatre.

Black and White exposure

Drawing on black paper with a white pencil is so different from what I have become use to. It seems that I have to shade with a different goal in mind. I learned, after I finished this drawing, that you have to shade all of the light spots on the face, and let the paper fill in the rest.

Pencils All In A Row

Project: Design a Place for your pencils using only paper, and adhesives. From this assignment my brainstorming process began. This resulted in a goal that consisted of creating a case for my pencils that was portable, aesthetically pleasing and organized. Now, I have used many pencil cases before, and I have seen what my peers were creating. Having seen their ideas, I knew that I had to narrow down my choices from my list of ideas. After narrowing down my ideas I chose this design because it met all of my requirements from before. I am pleased with the results, and the velvet really makes it enjoyable to carry. Furthermore, the color contrast turned out to be very appropriate for the upcoming season.














When tasked with this project I made goals and parameters for myself. These parameters and goals are the basis for the inspiration of this project. I wanted the design to be portable, aesthetically pleasing, easy to place on a desk or pinned up on board, and organized. I feel liked I accomplished this task with this design.

Hard Like An Egg

When someone is trying to describe an object that is hard, people generally think, "oh it's hard like a rock". I experimented with an egg by placing it in my hand and squeezing with a generous amount of force. To my amazement the egg did not break. The result from this experiment is my egg project. The egg is precariously sitting on top of a rock sculpture juxtaposing the characteristics of a hard, yet fragile object. A rock is cracked by chiseling at it, or by cracking it and similarly an egg.














This clearer picture is for you to be able to see the sculpture more accurately. Please enjoy, and if you would like to buy this beautiful sculpture please send me a message, and we will work something out.

Guess Who?

This was my second drawing and if you are in my Interior Architecture drawing class or my environmental design class, and you can guess who this is, then I will have some more confidence in my ability to draw what I see. I did not have as much trouble with some of the features of this drawing, but I did have a lot of trouble with the curvature of the chin, the length of the nose, and the entire shape of the lips. Practice, practice, practice.

Profile KLM

This was the first of many to come profile drawings. I am having a harder time with the proportions, length, and angles of these profile drawings. Once I get the hang of the outline of the face I will then be able to focus more on the details of the eyes, lips, nose and cheeks. I am really enjoying learning how to draw faces. However, I thought I would get the hang of it more quickly than I have been.

Time Fuse

Again I was asked by Time to merge two different scenes from two different times together. The gentleman with his back towards me was the first victim of my scrutinization. The lady sitting across from him came later after he had left. Unfortunately, I again spent quite some time trying to make the angles, and the proportions accurate and I was not able to draw the surroundings. However, I did enjoy both of these drawings.

Unexpeted Obstruction

I sat down with my cup of coffee, (said with Boston accent) and my wonderful berry tart the other day and I began to draw. I had just finished the coffee table, and had started drawing this lady when a group of girls sat directly in front of me. I thought to myself, "what am I going to do now"? I took a second to deliberate my options when I decided to live on the edge and converge the two scenes. I spent much longer on the people than I had expected resulting in very few surroundings.

The Most Drab Classroom

Here, is my history classroom. It gives me the impression of a dungeon whenever I enter the room. It is dark, hollow, unprepossessing, and icy. May the figures here help portray the aura of the room.

I See You

Here was another exercise on drawing people using the contour style of drawing. The people on the ends exhibit a blank, vacant mien. As you can see from my self portrait, I really enjoy this style of drawing. I enjoy it, because it allows the viewer to put their own expression on the persons face by reading the body language and posture. A painter once told me, that one can interpret the mien of a person solely by looking at their body language.

People of The Abstract

This has been a great learning process. We are using our pencil to measure the lengths of depth. I am still attempting to grasp the concept, but I believe I will understand it more with practice. Nonetheless, there is something about these forms that pleases me. Especially the one to the left.

Central Park

It is quite difficult to draw when one is surrounded by huge buildings, and ubiquitous details. There were so many details that my mind became overwhelmed and could not focus on the contour. However, I did enjoy the view and i will most likely attempt this contour again.

Cutlutral Center

Ahh! After the first two we finally see some improvement. I really enjoyed this entire drawing. I appreciate how everything relates to each other and the depth of the picture. I had some difficulty giving the building some permanence and detail. It seems very unfinished and out of place. It disappears.

The Forlorn Building

Here, I was really trying to make the sides of the building accurate. I became so caught up in the details and the little angles that it drove me crazy. I realize from now on I have to sit down, relax, and just look at what I see. Whenever I rush or become frustrated, my drawings show. I am however, happy with the flag.

Fountain of Contortion

This was such a frustrating exercise, primarily because I was rushed in completing it, and nothing seemed to be working for me. My hand would not draw what I saw, my proportions were off and I could not convey the angles I saw onto paper. I am going to try contouring this fountain again in the future so be looking for it.

The Negative Bicycle

This is an exercise that we did in class to capture the negative space of an object "the bicycle" and the people surrounding it. I was further from the object than most so it gave me a different perspective During this exercise. The only aspect of this drawing that I do not like is the wheel on the left that resembles a balloon.

Updated Education

Here it is. The much awaited for, new contour that I promised.
As you can see I need to improve on the trees. I have found that some people only do the outline of the tree and it looks good. Yet, when I look at mine with just the outline I feel as if my eye does not complete the picture. However, my trees are progressing so we will see how they progress in another few weeks or so. Let me know what you think and if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

The Mushroom King and Education

These two contours are my favorite so far. Above is the mushroom king that landed here on campus many years ago. There were no survivors because the beings inside could not live in our atmosphere. This really is a building on campus. However, I have no notion as to what it is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

The drawing below is of the Education building. I really enjoyed the tree even though I have yet to learn how to draw trees well. There is something about the curves in the brick and the detail that lures me in. Unfortunately I only had 30 minutes to work on this drawing. I will definitely draw this picture again.

Outdoor Scenes

Sometimes in my drawing I feel as if I am becoming worse, and that is a scary direction to travel. Yet, every once in a while that is exactly what we need. The first picture is a view of downtown Greensboro from our studio windows. I really enjoyed the details in the buildings and for the first time felt like my trees were interpretable by other people. The second picture was really tough. I was outside sitting in an uncomfortable position and then I messed up. I misplaced the circle where the beams all come together. It almost seems as if it has a mirror effect. This one really made me frustrated, to the point where I think I will go back and redo this one. Keep an eye out for it in the future.

Studio Contour

After the blind contour the class moved on to contour drawings. The goal here is to draw just the lines that we see, and there is to be no shading unless we use lines to do so. This exercise is to help us focus on just the lines we see, and put them on paper. In addition, we will typically use pen so that we will not spend a lot of time erasing. The result is stupendous. I sat down and started drawing just the lines I saw, and when I was three quarters of the way through the picture came together more than I could have ever hoped for.

The first picture is of the work space in our studio. The second picture is in the critique room looking out into the hallway.

Mind Development

This was an exercise I was tasked with In Interior Architecture class not too long ago. We had been working on blind contour drawings where we have to draw what we see without looking at the paper at all. The goal is not to produce a beautiful picture, though you may, but rather to draw the exact lines that you see, and to make your eye travel at the same speed of your drawing utensil. I had 30 minutes in which I was not able to quit drawing at all. This is the result. Let me know what you think.

Self Portrait

This is how I view myself one day at a ballroom dancing competition in the near future. Lord willing at the Ohio Star Ball in November. This will be my first competition that is actually televised. I will most likely not be on television but the competition is so reputable that it will be televised.

The Egg's Transformation

This is where my egg went from an environment to a characteristic. My goal was to juxtapose the toughness and the fragility between the egg and the rock. You will see in the near future the final product of my egg. Then, you can decide for yourself whether or not I accomplished my intended goal.