In today’s art world, you can find so many different types of portrait work, each more interesting than the last. However, oftentimes the muses behind these pieces we so admire get lost in the world the artist has created for them. The individual who so inspired the piece disappears behind layers of paint and complex ideas, leaving them an empty shell for us to project our feelings onto.
For this series, I wanted to take my muses a step further, to truly put them in the foreground of the piece (whether they are literally or not) and thus the foreground of your mind. I wanted the viewer to really see each individual, not just recognize them in their appearance, but find familiarity in the abstract qualities of the piece and the person represented in it.
Each of the portraits you see here is a fellow artist in my class, including our art teacher. For this series, I have embraced their inspirations as my own
Before beginning a piece, I interviewed each individual on how they wanted to be seen and interacted with, as well as their inspirations, paying special attention to the interactive elements of the piece, to ensure they would feel properly represented in the finished product.
I used many different mediums for each work, all determined by and meant to represent an aspect of the individual. Many of the pieces hold a special symbolic or metaphorical message in them to further bring to life the person they are meant to represent, but I leave it up to you, the viewer, to fully interpret each one.
I truly hope these portraits help you to get to know each artist in a new way.
Medium: Oil paint and shards of glass on paper
Interactive element: The shards of glass are covered with a thick layer of heavy varnish, making them safe and pleasant to touch.
Medium: Color pencil and acrylic paint on paper with shard of glass and broken mirrors
Interactive element: The broken mirrors are placed in such a way that when held in front of the viewer at arm length it creates an effect that allows the viewer to focus and unfocus their eyes so they may choose whether they wish to see their own broken reflection or the drawing of Prudence staring back at them.
(photo of painting seen here was taken outdoors with a reflection of the sky)
Medium: Color pencil on paper, small magnets, and a magnetic metal sheet
Interactive element: Behind the canvas is a large magnetic metal sheet which allows the cartoon characters to be moved around the piece.
Medium: Oil paint on paper and light air dry clay
Interactive element: The planets are made of a type of clay that dries like foam, leaving them soft and squishy.
Medium: Color pencil and acrylic paint on paper with metal wire and fabric ferns.
Interactive element: The ferns along the side of the piece are made with a flexible wire center that allows them to the bent to the viewers will.
Medium: Color pencil and acrylic paint on paper with hand made white board
Interactive element: The speech bubble is made so that it can be written on with a dry erase marker and easily erased.
Medium: Color pencil and acrylic paint on paper with construction glue
Interactive element: The 3D bubbles are made out of construction glue, making them nice and smooth.
Medium: Color pencil, acrylic paint, and heat sensitive color shifting paint on paper
Interactive element: When heated with a warm touch, the color shifting paint in the eyes is brought to life.
Medium: Oil paint on paper with cut strips featuring other's inspirations
Interactive element: Any viewer was welcome to write their inspiration for art or otherwise on one of the provided strips so it may be included with the others in my open chest.
Sabrina Frazier plans on attending the World's Only Tattoo School (a trade school in Louisiana) following the summer after graduation in order to prepare her for a career in the art of tattooing. Though she intends to rely on tattooing as her major source of income, Sabrina will continue painting and doing commission work on the side. JPII's art program played a major role in helping Sabrina make career decisions and chose a path, so much so that the influence of her fellow art students as well as their teacher, Mrs. Semmes, will undoubtedly be seen in all of Sabrina's work for years to come.
For commissions contact her though:
Instagram: xsabrinathehyenax
or
Email: sabrinathehyena@gmail.com