UVU educator and visual artist Terrel VanLeeuwen is our highlighted artist this week. You can view his art online in the UVU Museum of Art’s 2022 Faculty Art Exhibition. His painting, Twenty Twenty One Vision, puts a twist on the self-portrait by leaving out what we expect to see—his face. By hiding the most expressive part of his body, the artist evokes uncertainty in the viewer. What happened in 2021, and how does the artist feel about it?
Twenty Twenty One Vision, by Terrel VanLeeuwen, from the 2022 Faculty Art Exhibition
At times, we have all had feelings of uncertainty. We might be experiencing uncertainty now, and the future is often unknown. Taking inspiration from VanLeeuwen’s painting, we will create our own self-portrait that symbolizes uncertainty. In the example for this lesson, a tree locked in a framed piece of art symbolizes an individual feeling all the pressures and uncertainty of the world. The magnifying glass cuts through the fear, pressure, and uncertainty, making him larger than life. He sees his self-worth and is enlightened to grow and succeed.
We hope throughout these projects that you have taken the simple educational and creative tools to further your artistic growth. Check out #CreateClub project and be inspired!
Materials:
● Sketchbook
● Pencil
● Your choice of media
● Sketchbook
● Pencil
● Your choice of media
Instructions:
1. Begin by choosing a moment of insecurity you want to represent. In your sketchbook, describe this moment. What was (or is) it, and how did it feel? How did you overcome the uncertainty, or how will you do so in the future?
2. Visualize how you will express your moment of insecurity. Don’t worry if you feel you can’t represent your face realistically. After all, VanLeeuwen didn’t represent his face at all! You can use symbolism to get your meaning across.
3. Choose what medium you will use to make your artwork.
4. Using your pencil, sketch your planned self-portrait in your sketchbook. If you will be working in 3D, be sure to sketch your design from several angles.
5. Assemble your materials.
6. Create your unique self-portrait expressing uncertainty and how you overcome it.
1. Begin by choosing a moment of insecurity you want to represent. In your sketchbook, describe this moment. What was (or is) it, and how did it feel? How did you overcome the uncertainty, or how will you do so in the future?
2. Visualize how you will express your moment of insecurity. Don’t worry if you feel you can’t represent your face realistically. After all, VanLeeuwen didn’t represent his face at all! You can use symbolism to get your meaning across.
3. Choose what medium you will use to make your artwork.
4. Using your pencil, sketch your planned self-portrait in your sketchbook. If you will be working in 3D, be sure to sketch your design from several angles.
5. Assemble your materials.
6. Create your unique self-portrait expressing uncertainty and how you overcome it.
Be creative and have fun!