MEG EREKSON: ART 4200--Spring Semester

I returned to school at USU in 2008 after a 25 year absence. I'm working on my BFA degree and teaching certificate so that I can continue doing what I love doing--teaching Art! I've been teaching throughout the Cache County School District for the past 17 years--uncertified. I'm back to get my certification and complete my degree in Secondary Art Education with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting. This semester in ART 4200 my assignment was to choose a project to work on. I chose Pixelation. My hope is that I'll find some direction in my art that is successful and satisfying. Here are the results of that choice.

"Albert Einstein Circled"
A study of light and shadow through a dot matrix

Close-up

"Albert Einstein Squared"
Inspired by the work of Banksy. Thought I'd try it on a flat surface.

"Mother Teresa Circled"
Applying color to dark and light values

Close-up

"Mother Teresa Cubed"
Inspired by the work of Jennifer Bartlett.

Close-up

"Mother Teresa Fingerprinted"
My fingerprint and a stamp pad in an 8-step value

Close-up

"Pixelated Venus de Milo"
Use of patterns to create the light to dark values, incorporating symbols and text for meaning. This is my favorite piece from this project. I want to further pursue the concepts and techniques here.

Close-up

"Taj Mahal in 444 Ratios"
Study in how the colors are created to blend visually in a pixelized digital photo and how to interpret that information through mixing hues in watercolor. Each pixel is a mathematical ratio of how to make that specific color, each color being a blend of the colors surrounding it. The amount of water used also plays an important role in each ratio.

Close-up

"Taj Mahal in 9 pixels"
Study of color relationships and how to create a visual image within the pixel without adding or subtracting any additional color to or from the pixel. The techniques used simply divide the color already there.