Rena Underwood- Brown
Montgomery, AL (USA)
Montgomery, AL (USA)
In my perspective, a successful piece presents a message or feeling to the viewer; whether it be graphic design or a work of art. In the case of design, it must be both aesthetically pleasing and easily understood. This is achieved through the choice and use of materials and the content of the piece. I tend to approach my subject matter and materials in a minimalistic way.
For example: I once designed a large poster with only the letters d-o-x-p-a-r-a displayed in a vertical fashion, centered on a plain white background. I also did an etching/aquatint print of an image containing two (whole) cigarettes on a plain background and titled it “Necessity.”
In another piece, a collagraph print, I only used things that would be considered trash: crumpled paper, a cigarette butt, a broken Styrofoam cup, and a piece of cardboard made to look like a handmade sign with the word “fucked” on it. This was titled “A Homeless Man’s Collagraph.”
The success and quality of a piece is always debatable. I think it depends upon what the artist's intent is, as in what kind of reaction or feedback they are looking for. The artist may or may not get the reaction they were hoping for. In my recent works I was a more risks with my choices than I had in the past. I felt that these pieces were successful because I got the reaction I hoped for. I received several comments in favor of my non-traditional approach in contrast to previously accepted forms of art. Despite approval or disapproval, I had drawn the attention of viewers, and to me that was success.
For example: I once designed a large poster with only the letters d-o-x-p-a-r-a displayed in a vertical fashion, centered on a plain white background. I also did an etching/aquatint print of an image containing two (whole) cigarettes on a plain background and titled it “Necessity.”
In another piece, a collagraph print, I only used things that would be considered trash: crumpled paper, a cigarette butt, a broken Styrofoam cup, and a piece of cardboard made to look like a handmade sign with the word “fucked” on it. This was titled “A Homeless Man’s Collagraph.”
The success and quality of a piece is always debatable. I think it depends upon what the artist's intent is, as in what kind of reaction or feedback they are looking for. The artist may or may not get the reaction they were hoping for. In my recent works I was a more risks with my choices than I had in the past. I felt that these pieces were successful because I got the reaction I hoped for. I received several comments in favor of my non-traditional approach in contrast to previously accepted forms of art. Despite approval or disapproval, I had drawn the attention of viewers, and to me that was success.
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