Final Portfolio Mary Pizzuto

Cherry Branch: Sumi-e This is a painting in black ink on rice paper inspired by traditional Japanese Sumi-e. I experimented with many different designs, but cherry branch was my favorite to paint because it combines many different techniques. Dry brushing was used to create the texture of the bark. The blossoms were painted using more water for a softer and lighter effect.

Dandelion: Wire Sculpture This wire sculpture is a stylized rendition of a dandelion. To form it I used a variety of wire tools including wire cutters and needle-nosed pliers, but most of the work was done simply with my hands. Both bare and coated wire were used, The flower, the stem, and each of the leaves (which all have unique shapes) were all sculpted as separate pieces and then connected. The coiled base allows the sculpture to stand upright.

Seashell: Charcoal Sketches This sketch in black charcoal on newsprint shows the same shell from many different perspectives. It was originally completed as a study for a larger still life. Shadows were created by applying a thicker layer of the charcoal, and highlights were created by allowing the light newsprint to show through. I used my fingers to bend the charcoal to create smoother, more three-dimensional forms.

Ballet Shoes: Charcoal Still Life This is a drawing in charcoal on gray charcoal paper. The shoes were arranged in front of a cloth background and drawn from life. I found this subject to be challenging because of the many folds in the leather. The drawing was built up in many layers to fill in the grain of paper, alternating between light and dark. Charcoal was used for the dark tone, and white and gray chalk pastels were used for the highlights and the mid-tones.

Hands: Linoleum Print This image took many steps to complete. First, my hands were photographed against a blank background. Next, the photo was edited in photoshop to create a mirror-image with sharp contrast between light and dark values. The edited image was then printed onto copy paper, and the printed image was transferred onto a block of linoleum using a heat press. A tool with blade attachments of various sizes was used to carve out all the white space inside my hands. Finally, gold ink was applied to the linoleum stamp with a rubber roller, and the stamp was pressed onto a square of paper.

Collage This mixed-media college is made up of primarily mod podge on canvas. I began by mixing yellow and gold acrylic paint and dabbing it onto the two canvas to create a bright, uneven background. (If I had had more time I would also have liked to add some accents in paint.) The found images were collected from ads in catalogues, photography in old National Geographic magazines, and a free Nature Conservancy calendar that I got in the mail. I chose many of the pictures for their colors and textures as well as their subjects. I tried to balance the busyness of the photos by letting some of the empty yellow space shine through. The words were written in sharpie over faded text and then cut out. The quote comes from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, who was one of my favorite authors as a child. This piece represents my love for the outdoors, and my goal of finding the beauty in life everyday life.

Final Artist Statement When I was younger I used to do a lot of drawing. I signed up for Intro to Studio Art to have fun, and to get back into creating things. For me, art is a way to relax, and also a different way to think. When I create a piece, the final product never comes out looking exactly as I had originally planned it, because as I work I continuously change the image in my head. My most natural medium had always been drawing pencil, but in this class I had the opportunity to try many new mediums and techniques. I thought that Sumi-e was really interesting because the technique was almost the opposite of everything I had ever done, and It felt unnatural at first. I especially enjoyed pastel, and in the future I plan to experiment with drawing using more color. My ultimate goal will be to develop more of a distinctive style to my work so that my pieces are recognizably mine.