Reflection

When looking at the prompt 'I Wish I was There' for the communication project, my immediate thought was of postcards. However, using the idea of a postcard and turning it on its head, as they usually have images of idyllic scenes or something that is grand and prominent. I wanted to have images of simple everyday things such as a cup of coffee or watching the television. This came out of the loneliness I feel quite often while living alone and away from my friends, I miss them most not when I am doing something exceptional but during the quieter moments and I wanted to capture this in my paintings.

The use of a restricted colour pallet was almost accidental and I decided to use failed cyanotypes that exposed before I could use them, but the monochrome blue adds a melancholic aspect to the images that enhances the concept. I also tried to do a more colourful image before I used the cyanotype backgrounds and it was too 'loud', it didn't capture the emotion I was going for because it seemed too animate. I think this stems from a lack of skill on my part, my command of hue and tone with my paint is not developed enough to convey the type of emotion that I was going for and so I think the image ended up looking quite childish.

Overall, I am satisfied with my outcomes for this prompt, I learned that sometimes restricting art in certain ways, such as colour, can actually refocus the piece on what is important and convey the concept behind it more effectively; and in the critique, my group said they could easily identify the message being communicated.

If I was to develop these pieces further I would clean up the style of the painting, while I am overall happy with them some parts do look under developed tonally and the forms aren't as clear as I would like. I could also incorporate and written or typographic element, small passages written to my friends and family on the back or around the images themselves - furthering the idea of an 'anti-postcard'. And maybe play around more with the typographic element of 'Wish I was There'.

Wish I was There

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