Stephanie M. Wilhelm
  • Home
  • About The Artist
    • Bio
    • Artist Statement
    • CV
  • Portfolio
    • Current
    • Thesis Exhibition "A Sense of Place" 2018
    • Clay Meets Buon Fresco
    • Past Works
  • In my own words
  • Teaching Portfolio
  • Contact

An exploration of form and pattern.

1/31/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
It has been quite some time since my last blog, so I wanted to share with you some of my latest work and the research that has contributed to it. My previous body of work used narrative of the dog and human relationship to communicate the internal sense of belonging and comfort formed through companionship. I have begun a new series of work in which I am exploring form and volume, as well as emphasizing surface with low relief patterns and texture. By researching decorative ceramics throughout history and examining the patterns chosen I am learning ways that layers of pattern call attention to the form, provide direction, and possess a visual softness and physical depth. 


I began reading the Language of Ornament and it has helped me to understand the history of decorative art and objects as well as how to talk about my own work and need to fill a surface with pattern. Ornamentation is defined as "the elaboration of functionally complete objects for the sake of visual pleasure" and talks about how ironic it is that our embrace of form without the guidance of content overlapped with our rejection of ornament. But it is ornamentation that most teaches us the appreciation of form! This statement encouraged me to really focus on my forms and investigate how the patterns I paint on them can contribute and emphasize the shape, volume, and breath of each piece I make. 
Picture
This book has also encouraged me to recognize how I have reconnected with my love of making objects that reference use and function. I have always found joy in making objects, even as a child. I have also discovered a love of taking time for them and hand painting every single detail. From a maker's standpoint, this book talks about how ornamentation means a new approach to materials and techniques, a profound level of control, and how as the artist we gain a new understanding of the relation between functional and decorative form. I feel like through this work I have given myself the challenge to do just that.
I chose to make this work as an exploration outside of the canine character in an effort to express ideas of comfort and joy through form, pattern, and surface. How does this work provide a joyful and individual experience for the viewer or user? And how do the patterns I paint, the materials I use, and the techniques in which I apply them interact in a way that emphasizes its form, its breath, and its presence?
0 Comments
    Picture

    Journals

    January 2019
    September 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    September 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Acknowledge
    Anderson Ranch
    Andrea Gill
    Arrowmont
    Balance
    Beautiful
    Buon Fresco
    Butterfly Bend Pottery
    Change
    Color
    Detail
    Ekphrasis
    Figurative
    Fresco
    Incomplete
    John Gill
    Linda Arbuckle
    Line
    Majolica
    Marks
    New Eyes
    Perfect
    Recognition
    Sensitivity
    Something New
    Stuart Asprey
    Surface
    Touch.
    Travel
    Wood Fire

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.