Euphoria

A Reader Dozes

By: Kayla

Sources:

http://www.artspan.com/search_artwork.php?action=search&category=1&page=2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elements_of_art

http://stephenwardeanderson.com/lg_view_single.php?aid=258088&atid=10895&iid=11&mgd_id=112391

   There are many contemporary artwork to chose from, but one that really stood out to me at www.artspan.com was the this artwork above.  It is called A Reader Dozes by Stephen Warde Anderson.  This artwork gave me mixed emotions when I seen it.  One was that it made me feel uneasy to look at it, fearing these small people around the sleeping man. But with this I thought it was creative to have these small people around with different situations going on.  Some of them remind me of elves, others children.  This honestly makes me think of children and how mischievous they can be. 

    Even though the proportions aren't as realistic, this artwork gives me the feeling that this could be in a small children's book. The texture seems to be rough around the man's sweater, the rug, carpet, etc. The form of this has many organic shapes and very few geometric shapes. 

  The space is very confined.  There is somewhat a foreground, middle ground, & background.  The lines within this piece are thick lines with a few thin ones.  Many curved lines as well as some vertical and horizontal ones too.  Value?  There is very little value.  Perhaps around the man's pants, the table, etc.  I see many primary colors here.  (Low Key) Reds, blues, yellows. As well as some secondary colors: purples, greens, & oranges.

    The principles of art are Pattern/Rhythm, Proportion, Contrast, Balance,Variety, Harmony, Unity, Emphasis, & Movement.  The pattern/rhythm of this would be shown through the wall, carpet, rug, the bookshelf, etc.  As I said before the proportions aren't precise and realistic.  There is very little contrast available to see.  The balance appears to be about symmetrical. There are different varieties of small people within this artwork.  My feeling of harmony for this I would say be unsteady and self conscience for if I fall asleep! The unity of this doesn't have a true balance of all the elements of art and principles too.   With the emphasis, I keep want to stare at the sleeping man and the closest people surrounding him. There are different movements within this piece with each person doing different things.  For example, the person trying to cut the man's hair with scissors and the other one trying to eat his potato chips.

   Even though there more elements and principles show in this art,  I still find this artwork amusing to look at.  Wouldn't you say so?