Category: Writing Assignments

Humans are inherently curious to explore, and to build, and become successful, and as a result, they can be obsessed with gaining wealth and materialistic ownership to prove their success and achievement. However, in death, humans cannot take their materialistic objects nor wealth with them. Moreover it is fear and risk that holds them back from being too curious and pursuing too much. The looming fear of the unknown death puts into perspective the fleeting nature of human endeavors. This juxtaposition of curiosity and fear, is the foundational paradox to the progress of humanity – of how we keep creating and gaining, but cautiously do so. And similarly, materialistic goods are an outcome of human success, progress, creation, and achievement, but it is impermanent in our lifetimes. But what is more permanent is the legacy that each human and groups of humans leaves behind, not necessarily their material wealth they’ve accumulated when alive.

My modern paradox is that we can see how bad the global situation is, yet we can only watch. We want to do good, but feel that we cannot, while despicable acts are freely broadcast around the world. My opposing elements within the drawing would be the angel and devil. The angel, a symbol of good, is also a symbol of action and motivation. Here, the angel sits inactive, immobilized by indecision as the world crumbles around it. The devil, the embodiment of evil, is know to sneak around and deceive. Here, the devil smiles from above, jumping through the TV screen to unabashedly spread evil in broad daylight.

A profound paradox of human existence that I’m chosing to examine is the tension between the desire to blend in and the drive to be unique. People often try to fit into social norms with specific expectations, but also want to excel and do this by expressing their uniqueness and creativity. In my drawing, I’m going to compare patterns of uniformity and fitting in with splashes and images of obscure things that stand out.

For my interstellar message project I would like to lean into the idea of human connection. I think this idea can be paradoxical because although human nature is to join together and build relationships, it also tends to be “human nature” to fight with and disclude others. I also believe that when it comes to this topic, it is something that everyone has personally experienced. Whether that be making friends and having a close family, or the other side of the spectrum: being left out and feeling lonely. This topic is both a strong element of human existence and also a topic that can connect well with any audience. 

The oil painting I chose is titled Maria Hamilton Beckford, which was painted by Benjamin West in 1799. This oil portrait shows Maria Beckford, who was the wife of William Beckford, a wealthy and famous English figure. Maria also came from a wealthy, prestigious Scottish family. In this painting, West displays Beckford with much grace, power, and dignity. He emphasizes her elegance, beauty, and social class. This realistic painting represents Maria in a sophisticated way through her posture, expression, and clothing. In addition, it can also represent wealth, youth, and lineage, which were common themes for elite families in the late 1700s. 

In the painting, Maria has a poised expression on her face, and she is sitting with an open book on her lap and an instrument sitting next to her. Her hair is beautifully styled, and she has on a dark blue dress with pearl accessories and earrings. The background seems to include a painting in the background, and she is sitting on a chair with red velvet cloth behind her. Overall, this painting shows strength, grace, and dignity, which I also want to represent in my painting. For my portrait drawing, I want to create a bold geometric pattern that emphasizes the inner strength shown in the drawing as well. This pattern will represent balance and structure as well as dignity and sophistication.

 The Paradox of Connection and Isolation

We deeply crave intimacy and understanding, yet no one can fully access our inner world.
” We’re born alone, die alone, and yet we spend our lives seeking closeness.“

Why is this relationship important and what does it say about human. Throughout the course of history to modern day I suppose that there has been those constantly longing for relationship and connection with one other human. Yet often times these wishes are rejected or pushed away leading sum to go into self isolation to protect themselves. With our society being a class and rank based society social status and connection is what it’s all about. From Greek life at colleges to card groups for seniors a sense of connection with others is craved so deeply in our world. My piece will work to highlight how the over pursuit of connection can lead to isolation or otherwise even worse in some cases.

I think that the most paradox of our existence is our inherent insistence on the importance of our lives and experiences despite their lack of meaning on a cosmic scale. I want my drawing to show off how that belief looks compared to the wider universe, small and unimportant. I think in my drawing I want to represent this using very large elements to juxtapose a relatively smaller portion of the collage that shows off elements of the human experience.

The painting is meant to represent the creation of Adam by God in the bible. The painting depicts two men, one lounging with his arm outstretched, the other reaching out to touch hands. He has them mirroring each others poses in order to represent our innate property as being a reflection of him. The two also reach out to touch one another to symbolize our potential for a connection to the divine. And while God’s hand is fully outstretched, it is Adam that must make the final movement to make that connection. The painting has religious overtones, and seems to imply that as humans, it is up to us to reach out to god to become closer to him. When I remake this painting I wish to focus on adam, and have him clench his fist instead of reaching out to mirror the biblical event where he betrays god my consuming the apple. This will further explore the idea that humans are capable of accepting or rejecting god. I want to utilize a classic religious pattern of having a lines in the shape of a halo around the head that supports the idea of mankind’s innate divinity.

I believe one of the most profound paradoxes of human experience is the more control we try to have over something, the more likely it is to lead to chaos. There are two examples of this that I will include in my drawing as my conflicting elements. The first being religion. It seems that the more people try to push their religion as the only true right religion, the more they end up pushing others away from that religion. People also try to use religion to justify morally wrong constructs, leading to the oppression of marginalized groups. This creates a world filled with hatred and misery, under the guides of belief, leading to destruction. The other element I will use is culture and how it seems the more people try to erase or steal a culture the more that culture evolves.

The paint I have chosen is “Contemplation” is a painting by Eugene de Blaas. Italian painter Eugene de Blaas is well-known for his Academic Classicism-inspired pieces. The artwork, which was created about 1893, shows a young woman sitting on a balcony, wearing a blue skirt and a floral-patterned shawl, lost in contemplation. The original picture, which measures 54.6 by 34.9 cm, is in a private collection. In the painting, as previously stated there is a women sitting on a balcony lost in thought. She has curly hair and is wearing red lipstick. She seems to have a slight smile as if where every she is thinking about is more pleasant than negative. This piece symbolizes self reflection and contemplation. It could also symbolize deep though, calmness, and peace. I believe that the painting could be associated with reflecting and being lost in through but I could also be showing someone who is an over thinker. When I remake the drawing I would like to basically just cope the pose of the painting but maybe instead of being on a balcony I’m in a chair in a more modern setting. I would like to use an abstract background for my drawing as I would like it to imitate being lost in the mind.

I was not aware of the existence of radiolarians, nor of the fact that protists can produce such intricate skeletal structures. When first seeing the film, they reminded me of the patterns of snowflakes. Both are tiny , beautiful things that were hidden from humans until we decided to take a closer look. What caught my attention the most from Heckl’s life was the claim he took Darwin’s evolution theory as a “challenge”. I loved hearing that the work of one revolutionary scientist inspired other great ones to go against the grain and reframe the human perception of life. The distinction between scientist and artist has always been arbitrary to me, as I know many people (including myself) who exist as part of both worlds, so seeing it blurred in the film was very satisfying. The claim that evolution leads “inexorably upward” is an interesting, but not technically correct claim by Heckl. Evolution isn’t about “progress”, but adapting to your environment and making sure you and your offspring survive. Modern day scientists would critique the mentioned claim, as the driving mechanisms of evolution work to make a species better fit for its current conditions, not simply “better” than it was before.

The painting I have selected is titled Studio of Lavinia Fontana by Lavinia Fontana. This painting depicts a woman playing the piano, but looking directly at the viewer. Symbolically, this was a significant piece of art because it shows the emergence of female artists in a previously male dominated field. Her studio and self portraits show the growing visibility of women in public, religious, and commissioned art. I like the symbolism present in her art and I want to further continue this idea. I also want to do an abstract, flowy pattern with circular and oval shapes. 

Before watching this film, I didn’t have an understanding or knowledge of radiolarians at all. The film specifically emphasized the detailed and unique structure they possess. This film talked about how their elaborate design and beauty was interesting to Heckel. I thought Heckel’s combining of science and art was a particularly interesting point in this film. Also, the way that his personal grief, such as his wife passing, led him into deeper science was really interesting. This film made me think differently about the relationship between art and science, as it showed how visuals can communicate complex ideas. In this case, art wasn’t just a medium, but was used to understand the world further. One issue that I found interesting was the tension the film addressed between scientific rationalism and idealism, and how Heckel examined both. 

In the painting the Death of Bara by Jacque-Louis David a young 14 year old boy is depicted just before death furring the French Revolution of the late 1700s. The boy named Joseph was killed in a small skirmish with the state in which he yelled “Long live the king!” with “Long live the Republic!” David painted him expiring on the ground, naked and alone rather than in the midst of battle, forcing the viewer to confront the profound character of his sacrifice on behalf of the Revolution. This painting could be used to symbolize the struggle many French went through during the revolution as it highlights the crueltys of struggle and shows what it takes for true change to be made. I think the death of the young boy can show sacrifice in a way that makes the viewer feel for the character and emotionally connect with the piece. The painting shows anguish but also a sort of peace on the young boys face as he takes his last breaths at such a young age. I think when attempting to draw my portrait I Must make sure to have some sort of good expression on my face, I also think my articles of clothing I wear could be important to the composition of the piece. I will attempt to match my clothes to the pattern in the background. Although a geometric pattern may look alright, I feel like a good geometric pattern n the background with good blending and use of value could make the portrait pop of the paper.

I chose the topic of the LA Wildfires because it happened recently and was fresh in my mind. Additionally, it was an extremely relevant event in my home town, as I am from California. The main characters I want to include in my drawing are a firefighter (or some version of a first responder) and a victim/someone affected by the fires. I don’t want to look at this event politically, I solely want to capture the effects of the disaster. Pronounced emotions in the event I chose include sadness and fear. I want to capture those emotions through the facial expressions of the subjects I chose and add a lot of value to make it more bold and emotional. I also want to use objects in the background to show the disasters of the fires, such as buildings or homes getting burned down, or planes and helicopters quickly trying to get to the fires to help put them out

“Salome with the head of Saint John the Baptist” by Andrea Solario

Master Crane Wallpaper

My painting of choice is “Salome with the head of Saint John the Baptist”, by Italian painter Andrea Solario. It is an oil-on-wood painting, which the author created around 1507 in the Cardinal Georges d’Amroise castle in Milan. This high-renaissance painting depicts a scene from the biblical story of Salome, where the titular character receives the severed head of St. John the Baptist, which she got as a gift from her step father.

The image depicts a woman, the biblical princess Salome, holding a silver plate. The woman has fair, clear skin, is dressed in royal attire and adorned with many jewels and gold trinkets. The plate she is holding up rests under the severed, still bleeding head of an unruly looking man, who we know from the title is St. John the Baptist. The head’s skin has turned a sickly yellow color, and it is being held up by a disembodied hand, possibly that of the executioner. 

This painting is a depiction of martyrdom of the innocent and holy, as well as a critique of selfish desires, personified by Salome.

A strong theme within this piece is the severity of Salome’s fault in the death of St. John. It shows how greatly the whims of powerful people can impact the lives of the oppressed. Interestingly, the painting presents Salome as the only one to blame for the saint’s death – not the king who ordered his death, not the executioner who severed his neck, but the young girl, whose petty caprice led to the killing of an innocent man. She is the only one in focus, with the executioner only being present through a hand alone, making Salome seem as the main one at fault. Her soft expression, almost content at what she is witnessing, solidifies her as a detached and unsympathetic person. 

In my remake, I want to emphasize the harmful impacts of vanity and pettiness. I want to maintain the aspect of fault and causality in this painting, by placing myself as both Salome and St.John. Staging myself as both its perpetrator and victim, I want to emphasize how normalized vanity and preying upon insecurity is within the queer community, harming both those affected and those who indulge in it. I do want to include themes of performing femininity as part of the self-sabotage, as it is something relevant to me as a queer person. This can be done by swapping the rich period wear of Salome for modern feminine clothing. 

I found a pattern titled “Master Crane”, on the home wallpaper site “Lust Home”. I love the floral motifs within it for the aesthetics, but my main motivation for this choice is the inclusion of birds as an element of the pattern. Cranes specifically connote beauty and grace, which will work very well with the “performance of femininity” aspect of my drawing. They are also migratory birds, which adds a layer of extra complexity to the piece, giving a nod to my experience as an international student.

I have selected Liberty by Constantino Brumidi. This painting was done in 1869, and was commissioned for the White House by President Ulysses S. Grant. The painting is an allegorical representation of “Liberty” and was commissioned alongside another painting, Union. These pieces represent the post-Civil War resurgence and indivisibility of the Union.

Brumidi’s painting depicts one woman, who is meant to be Liberty, wearing a white dress and draped red fabric. She holds a sword in her right hand, and a staff and a laurel wreath in her raised left hand. There is a red ribbon tied around the top of the staff, and there is an american flag that appears to be either also grasped in her left hand or attached to the staff, and it is flowing behind her. Lastly, a gold star shaped crown adorns her head. 

This painting personifies the American idea of liberty, and the feelings and symbols that are associated with it.

The painting is tinted gold with the woman representing liberty structured in power with her chin tilted upwards towards the light source. The whole piece is generally bright, and the woman’s stance and weapons showcase strength, pushing a positive and patriotic connotation into the work.

I think that in my remake I can take the objects and lessen their impact in the piece. I would like to keep the feeling of empowerment brought on by the main subject, but I would like to take away some elements/ somehow alter them to fit into the background pattern, to make the meaning of the piece more abstract and able to pull different meanings from the piece.

I would like to take the American flag, the laurel wreath, and the ribbon elements from the original painting and combine them into a pattern. I think if I alter them into a floral like pattern that could fit in with the soft lighting and overall image. I would like to use these elements to create my own pattern because I think it will be a cool way to reimagine the original work of art.

Lulu Coll- 

 Research Summary

The Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry is a beautifully illuminated manuscript made by the Limbourg Brothers in the early 1400s. It was commissioned by the Duke of Berry, who was known for being a huge art lover and collector. This manuscript was created for his personal devotion, but it’s also a major flex—it shows off his wealth, power, and refined taste. The book is filled with vibrant, detailed images that mix religious stories with scenes of everyday life, all done in incredibly intricate detail with gold accents and rich colors.

One of the most famous scenes in the manuscript is the Adoration of the Magi, which is what I’m focusing on.

 What the Painting Literally Depicts

In this scene, we see the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus while three kings (also known as the Magi) kneel before them to offer gifts. Joseph is nearby, and the whole thing takes place in a stable-like structure. The kings are dressed in elaborate robes, and their gifts are decorated and luxurious. There’s also a glowing star above them that guided them there. It’s a very literal and detailed representation of the biblical story of the three wise men visiting Jesus. 

 What the Painting Symbolizes

This moment is symbolic of recognition and reverence. The three kings are seen as representatives of different parts of the world, so their visit shows that Jesus is being acknowledged as divine by all people, not just the local community. The gifts they bring also carry deeper meaning: gold for royalty, frankincense for divinity, and myrrh for the suffering that’s to come.

On top of the religious meaning, the whole scene also subtly reflects the Duke of Berry’s desire to connect himself with spiritual importance. By commissioning this kind of art, he wasn’t just being devout , he was reinforcing his elite status and legacy.

 What It Connotes or Suggests

Even though it’s a religious image, there’s definitely an undertone of performance and power here. It feels like the Duke wanted this to be both a prayer book and a status symbol. The richness of the imagery makes it clear that this wasn’t just about faith, it was more  about how faith was displayed. To me, it brings up ideas about how spirituality can sometimes be used to build an image or reinforce social standing.

Looking at it today, it’s easy to draw comparisons to how people present themselves on social media, curating their lives to appear a certain way, even when it’s deeply personal or spiritual.

 How My Remake Will Relate

In my remake, I want to explore the idea of modern image-making and performative devotion.

I am going to draw myself normally but give the background more of a gothic pattern vibe, what I will wear is up for determination.

Alternatively, I might flip the power dynamic entirely, and have everyday people—like a nurse, a delivery driver, or a single parent—offering something simple but meaningful, to show how quiet acts of devotion or kindness often go unrecognized.

 Pattern Choice

I’d love to use a pattern that adds to the concept—something decorative but with a twist. One idea is a Renaissance-style floral or gold pattern that slowly breaks apart or glitches, to represent how traditional structures (like the church, nobility, or even authenticity) are being questioned today. The pattern will act like a frame or backdrop to help visually reinforce whatever message I’m exploring in the piece.