works in progress...

I'm sorry the pics aren't amazing :-/
Seeing as this blog is not to be seen as so much as a "professional" portfolio, I'm okay with waiting to switch out the studio taken pics for ones of better quality :)
~노미 / Nomi

Final Crits are coming!!

This is what I've been working on...

AB Machines

11" x 14"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Empty House

11" x 14"

Mixed Media on Canvas

Trapped

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Canvas

AB Machines and Empty House were both for my Abstract Painting Critique class with Laurel Sparks. Both Paintings were done to and influenced by music. The first "AB Machines" by the band Sleigh Bells and the second, "Empty House" by the band Air, from the Virgin Suicides soundtrack.

Trapped is a painting I'm still working on for my final crit (May 12, 2011). I've been working with the idea of biracial (mixed race) women being seen as "exotic" creatures. This is not by any means to get into the area of sexuality, while I see how it can perceived in that light, it NOT where I mean my content to go! The specific instances I'm thinking of go something like this....

Individual: "So... What are you?" (<-- this has to be my ALL TIME Favorite, "What are you?" I'm f***ing Human! What Are You?!)
Bi/Mixed Race Person: "I'm mixed, (for myself..) my mum is European-American; my father was Mexican/African-American."
Individual: "Oh, Wow, that's really exotic! cool."
Bi/Mixed  Race Person: "Thanks." (???)

There are of course other scenarios for this conversation, but I'm not going to go through all of them now.
This question of "What are you?" definitely grinds my gears! I understand (for the most part) that there is no harm meant by this question however, that being said, it can still be quite hurtful/annoying when you are asked this on a consistent basis. It does start to feel a bit dehumanizing. With the addition of being told how "exotic" you are (again I realize there is no real harm is meant in saying this!), the end result of this conversation can make you feel a little "off".

I digress... back to the painting.... "Trapped". Being caught between two different cultures, races, etc can make a person feel very trapped indeed. There is often a continuous question of "where do I fit in?" "Can I fit into both, all facets that make up who I am?" "Should I just blaze my own trail?" "Does this all really matter?" I certainly feel that it does! Or else I wouldn't be making art about it.

My hope is that by creating works of art that revolve around things that people of mixed race go through and/or think about on a day to day basis, that others will begin to realize/ see, that Yes! It Does matter. To some people, race still does matter, just not in the same way  you may be used to!

~Nomi

march work

viva korea

22x30 in

mixed media

homage to Wangechi Mutu I

22x30 in

mixed media

homage to Wangechi Mutu II

22x30 in

mixed media

Assignments

Here are a few drawings and Paintings for classes I'm taking this semester.. Abstract Painting Critique (also loving called APC) and Drawing for Painting Majors (D4P) I'm also including a painting in progress (PIP) <-- I don't usually call it that, but I figure I have a nice little flow of acronyms going, so... why not :)

Okay... first D4P -> (description) A drawing exploration of the relationships between methods of drawing and painting that is designed to develop a flexible dialogue between concept and process. Drawing both from observation and imagination.

the assignment - swap 3 drawings with a partner and make those drawing your own. Here are 2 of my 3 I've been working on.

untitled

22" x 30"

Charcoal, India Ink, Charcoal on paper

untitled

22" x 30"

Charcoal, India Ink, Charcoal on paper

APC -> (description) Approaches to abstraction. This critique class examines abstraction from literal themes, formal color abstraction, abstract collage, and minimalism. Slide lectures and class discussions concern historical precedents for abstract painting.

The Assignment - http://abstractpaintingcritique.blogspot.com/

(Abstraction from Pictorial Themes and Found Color: Measure and Distortion)

Abstraction 1

16" x 20"

Acrylic Paint, Glitter, Modeling Paste on Canvas

Abstraction 2

16" x 20"

Acrylic Paint, Glitter, Mirror Paper on Canvas

And for my (Painting) Majors Studio...

The content of my work is focused on 'what it has been like growing up as a biracial individual' (in the US). In the past I have mainly worked abstractly with this content, however at the beginning of 2011 I decided to finally bite the bullet and begin adding in the figure to my paintings. I hoping this will help bring together a more conclusive narrative to my pieces.

color palette

based off of this picture of my "lil sis" (good & dear friend Tsaira) and her baby sis, (both are biracial as well)

 

The painting in progress

dimensions to come
Acrylic

Some background info: I am biracial (yes we know! lol) However, I was raised in a (mainly) all white (Euro-American) family. Which leaves said biracial-individual left to wonder how she fits in, in the black community. I would like to explore some of my personal experiences during this period of my life, through my paintings. The painting above IS in progress... finished product to come. :)

Work in progress

Just beginning to put the blog together New paintings and paintings in-progress to be put up soon.

~노미(Nomi)