Final Post

I really enjoyed this class. My favorite part of the class was the art project book because when I was stressed or even when I was watching Netflix on my laptop I would take out my book and draw. I never knew that I liked to draw before this class and now I cannot stop. Before this class I was discouraged to draw because I thought that my work had to look a certain way but now I know that my drawing should look how I envision it not how anyone else does. I also like how in this class we looked at many Chicana artists. I honestly had not heard of many of the artist that were presented but when there work was shown in class I was shocked that I had never heard of them. My favorite artist that was presented was Laura Aguilar because she exposes herself in a way that is personal. She allows her audience to see her at her most vulnerable and she allows her audience to know that there is beauty in everyone inside and out. I also like how this class showed the struggle of Chicana history and different each Chicana artist is. I realized that Chicana Art is not a certain art, it’s a piece art created by a Chicana artist. In class we were exposed to many art pieces that, without the last name attached to it, would not be under the name Chicana art. This class opened my eye to many things from knowing that I love to draw to learning about the struggles of Chicana artist even in today's society. Living in Los Angeles I am exposed to many types of arts but mostly art created by Chicanos and this class allowed me to learn to appreciate the art and know that there is a story to every work.

Week 9: Chicana Printmakers

            Barnet Sanchez’s essay on Where Are the Chicana Printmakers discusses the issues on Chicana print makers and why they are not many Chicana artists that are being represented. Most of the Chicana art throughout the 1970s and 1980s focused on the women power specifically for women of color. Chicana Artist specifically printmakers made a huge contribution to the political movement but most of their work were more viewed as posters than works of art like in the work labeled Who is the Illegal Alien Pilgrim. Chicana women where not being  acknowledged in exhibitions because of the fact that women artist are not taken as seriously as men. In class I heard that female artists are not being paid at the same rate as men. The reason why I am discussing gender inequality is because in the Diane Gamboa's work female and male physical appearances are being morphed into one gender. I believe that not specifying the genders allows both males and females to be equal. In many of Gamboa's work the idea of gender is almost nonexistent because it appears that most of the people are of the same gender. Works like The Little Gold Man and Altered States blur the idea of gender and I feel that is the right way to show gender equality and women empowerment. 

Week 8: Carmen Lomas Garza

My favorite piece from Carmen Lomas Garza is the painting called The Blessing on Wedding Day. This image shows family togetherness and women bonding. I really like how in class we were discussing how it could possibly be foreshadowing the little girls future because there are so many women of different age groups in the photo. This image brought me happiness because it showed the perks of growing up in a big close family. This image reminded me of the time that my cousin married her husband. All of the girls including my aunts and cousins were in the room helping the bride get ready. While they were helping her get ready my mom was fixing my youngest cousin's hair and I feel like this image is brought to life. I have always been about family. While growing up my cousins were like my siblings and when looking at this image I feel like depicts my family and other people's families as well. It shows the importance of family and how doing something, as simple as getting ready, can bring that extra special when you are surrounded by those who care most about. I love this image for its authentic feel. I see warmth, love, and happiness in this image. In general I do enjoy Carmen’s work because she incorporates the importance of family and friends. I like that she mainly focuses on the happy events such as birthdays, weddings, and quinceneras. Her images are taken “in the moment” like the bride getting ready or in quincenera running late.  She allows her audience to feel like they are watching this event take place and that is also why I love her work.

My Letter to Jeaneen Carlino

Dear Jeaneen Carlino,

            I would first like to say that I am a huge fan of your work. My favorite piece of yours is the piece called the Priestess of the Wind. The overall picture is very beautiful and feminine.  I like the fact that part of the artwork is made with graphite pencil and the rest is painted with acrylic. What catches my eye with this particular painting is the shape of the woman’s eyes because they are hypnotizing and just amazing to stare at. I would first like to ask you what your inspiration for your work is. I read in many articles that mythology and goddesses inspire you but I want to know how you became intrigued by these themes. I also wanted to ask what kind of goddess the woman in your work called Wisteria is suppose to be. She has tribal paint on her face but she also has gazelle antlers. I really love that painting and the hybrid of the woman and an animal made me very curious to why she was created like that. I really love your work and the themes of woman empowerment and femininity. All of the women your create represent strength, courage and beauty and I feel your work encourages every woman to know that they goddesses in there own way. Many of your works are very earthly and mythical which is the complete opposite of Los Angeles. I would like to know if, by being born and raised in Los Angeles, your work is in any way inspired by the city lifestyle. I am curious because I have notice that most artist, who were born in the city, to be inspired by street work and the city life. In their work it can be sometimes not as obvious and so I wanted to know if your work had some hidden stories about growing up in Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

Megan Sims