Shadow

When I think of the word "shadow", it automatically brings me back to my childhood.  I think of the sleepovers I had as a little girl; making shadow puppets on a wall with a flashlight of bunnies, dogs and monsters.  I always thought of shadows and a fun kid thing to do.  The Disney movie Peter Pan also comes to mind.  When he lost his shadow and had to get it sown back onto the soles of his shoes.

Until Jeff's project, I never really looked much more into what the different kinds of shadows are.  After seeing what techniques, tools and mediums that can be used, I was extremely intrigued to look more into it.  Knowing that shadows can be created using items like mirrors, metal and glass, I can now see all of the possibilities with shadows.  Another item that can add different variation with the theme of using shadows is light.  Different colors, strengths and the amount of the light directions are only some of the many options to change the simple bunny rabbit into an abstract shape.

Shadows can also give off different effects, depending on how you use them.  Some use shadows as a friendly way to have fun.  But they can also be used in thrillers and other scary movies.  Shadows can give off that extra fright.  I think because it reveals something that is there, even though you might not see the actual object makes it kind of creepy.  Viewing Jeff's first project and part of his second project, I am eager to see what else he does with the theme of Shadows.

World Travel: A Visual Journey

This being my own topic, most of the things I have to say about travel and color have already been told. When you visit a famous place of the world, like Hawaii for example, what do you think of? Of course you think of the beach, the ocean, hula dancers and gorgeous tropical flowers.  But few actually think of the colors within those things.  About how many different colors in the sand there are.  Or the color of the water as the sun hit it.  That is what I am trying to achieve when looking at my work.  I want people to really look at the color of the area, other than just the popular features. 

Traveling the world is something that I have always wanted to do.  If I could travel the world for the rest of my life I would be happy.  There are just so many things that aren't here in the United States and so many different cultures to experience.  Now don't get me wrong, it is different everywhere you go in the U.S.; from here in Michigan to Texas, in the South.  But the atmosphere is so different in other countries the farther you go, and I can't wait to experience them.  I know I have mostly dealt with color in my work with travel, but the theme gives me so many options to work with later on.

Perception vs. Reality

Kelsey's theme of Perception vs. Reality was a topic that I found to be extremely interesting.  Its a theme that I can relate to; as can most people.  How one perceives themselves often differs from how they really look.  For the majority of people, there is at least one thing; if not more; that they wish to change about themselves.  Whether its a teenage boy who wants to be taller, or a woman who wishes she looked younger or thinner, everyone sees themselves differently.
We are our owns worst critics.  Its a sad thing to say, yet so true among most people.  Its amazing how low our self-esteem is in the world and is a rising problem,  That is how illnesses like bulimia and anorexia have become such a huge issue. People look at photos of models that have been altered or changed with programs like Photoshop, and think its real life.  People with anorexia or bulimia look in the mirror and see an altered or larger image of themselves.  When in reality, they are usually no where near that.
For most people, their body issues never reach to be that extreme.  But issues with too much plastic surgery have also been a rising problem.  Now, I'm not saying that everyone should be cocky and full of how amazing looking they are because everyone sees themselves as imperfect.  No ones perfect and it would be boring if people were.  We just need to learn to accept and appreciate our flaws.  As soon as we learn to perceive and accept our real image, the sooner issues like anorexia and bulimia end.