Gonzalezjournalofimages

JOURNAL OF IMAGESJOURNAL OF IMAGES

GARDENS & GREENS AROUND MEGARDENS & GREENS AROUND MEEdith GonzalezEdith GonzalezSummer 2008Summer 2008

Introduction to the Visual Arts, 1301 Austin Community College – Paula King, ProfessorIntroduction to the Visual Arts, 1301 Austin Community College – Paula King, Professor

Gardens & Greens Around MeGardens & Greens Around Me

My journal of images consists of pictures I took of the gardens, greens, and fields around me. I My journal of images consists of pictures I took of the gardens, greens, and fields around me. I decided on the theme for my project based on two criteria. First, I’ve always been around gardens, plants, and decided on the theme for my project based on two criteria. First, I’ve always been around gardens, plants, and landscapes. My father was a landscaper for a major part of my life and my grandmother’s porch and yard were landscapes. My father was a landscaper for a major part of my life and my grandmother’s porch and yard were always full of plants. I inherited my green thumb and love of gardening from his knowledge and her hobby. always full of plants. I inherited my green thumb and love of gardening from his knowledge and her hobby. Secondly, in this day and age where it seems that everyone wants to “go green” I wanted to show that it doesn’t Secondly, in this day and age where it seems that everyone wants to “go green” I wanted to show that it doesn’t take a lot to do this. Going green is not only about deciding on paper rather than plastic, or electric vs. gas. take a lot to do this. Going green is not only about deciding on paper rather than plastic, or electric vs. gas. Going green is also about giving back to the Earth. Planting a tree or a garden not only benefits the Earth it’s Going green is also about giving back to the Earth. Planting a tree or a garden not only benefits the Earth it’s also beautiful to look at. also beautiful to look at.

I’ve always seen beauty in what grows out of the earth. From a very young age I kept vegetable I’ve always seen beauty in what grows out of the earth. From a very young age I kept vegetable gardens, flower beds, or house plants. To plant a seed and watch it grow is truly amazing in that you see nature gardens, flower beds, or house plants. To plant a seed and watch it grow is truly amazing in that you see nature in all its beauty. Growing up in southwest Texas you are surrounded by corn fields, cabbage patches, fields of in all its beauty. Growing up in southwest Texas you are surrounded by corn fields, cabbage patches, fields of sunflowers, etc. To some, passing these on the highway may just seem like someone else’s property. To me, sunflowers, etc. To some, passing these on the highway may just seem like someone else’s property. To me, on the other hand it has always been so pleasing to see the endless crop rows that seem to be in motion as the on the other hand it has always been so pleasing to see the endless crop rows that seem to be in motion as the car speeds by. My favorite to look at has always been a field of sunflowers. To me it is as though the sunflowers car speeds by. My favorite to look at has always been a field of sunflowers. To me it is as though the sunflowers are opening up their bright, yellow petals to the sun, as if to want to hug it. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find one are opening up their bright, yellow petals to the sun, as if to want to hug it. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find one for this project.for this project.

As I mentioned before, I've always seen the beauty in my plants (or someone else's for that matter) As I mentioned before, I've always seen the beauty in my plants (or someone else's for that matter) but, with this class I see it even more. Now, when I look at my trees or house plants I look for those principles but, with this class I see it even more. Now, when I look at my trees or house plants I look for those principles that one uses to look at a painting or sculpture. I never really knew what to look for when I looked at art. When I that one uses to look at a painting or sculpture. I never really knew what to look for when I looked at art. When I saw a nice painting I only saw what was appealing to me. Now when I look at it, I not only notice what is saw a nice painting I only saw what was appealing to me. Now when I look at it, I not only notice what is aesthetically pleasing to my eye but, also the elements and principles of art that comprise this work of art. I now aesthetically pleasing to my eye but, also the elements and principles of art that comprise this work of art. I now also do that with my garden which is my work of art. also do that with my garden which is my work of art.

I didn’t have a problem picking out a theme, what I found difficult was making my camera see (and I didn’t have a problem picking out a theme, what I found difficult was making my camera see (and capture) what I see. I tried to crop my pictures and take angles that would capture and express to my viewer capture) what I see. I tried to crop my pictures and take angles that would capture and express to my viewer what I see on those 3 hour road trips to visit my family (in Eagle Pass) or when I drive through my neighborhood what I see on those 3 hour road trips to visit my family (in Eagle Pass) or when I drive through my neighborhood (here in San Marcos), or walk in my yard. The pictures I've submitted are made up of scenes of southwest Texas (here in San Marcos), or walk in my yard. The pictures I've submitted are made up of scenes of southwest Texas corn fields along highway 90 between Eagle Pass and Uvalde, Texas. Because we've only been at our current corn fields along highway 90 between Eagle Pass and Uvalde, Texas. Because we've only been at our current home for a short time my garden is still in the developmental stage but, the gardens in my neighborhood provided home for a short time my garden is still in the developmental stage but, the gardens in my neighborhood provided some of my material for this project. I also gathered pictures from the trips my husband and I take to Cabela’s some of my material for this project. I also gathered pictures from the trips my husband and I take to Cabela’s World's Foremost Outfitter Store. Ever since the first time we visited the store I always noticed the landscaping. World's Foremost Outfitter Store. Ever since the first time we visited the store I always noticed the landscaping. When I decided on my theme I knew I would have to get pictures of this site. Another very beautiful place in my When I decided on my theme I knew I would have to get pictures of this site. Another very beautiful place in my journal is the courtyard of Kyle Elementary. This small yet serene area is a perk the students are able to use as journal is the courtyard of Kyle Elementary. This small yet serene area is a perk the students are able to use as an incentive for good behavior. My mother-in-law’s garden was another site that provided a lot of my pictures as an incentive for good behavior. My mother-in-law’s garden was another site that provided a lot of my pictures as she has been growing it for many, many years and has an extensive variety of plants, trees and flowers.she has been growing it for many, many years and has an extensive variety of plants, trees and flowers.

I hope to have captured and portrayed my feelings of the gardens and greens that I love to look at I hope to have captured and portrayed my feelings of the gardens and greens that I love to look at in my journal of images and that this turns others into green thumb enthusiasts as well. If not for the Earth, at in my journal of images and that this turns others into green thumb enthusiasts as well. If not for the Earth, at least for the art in it. Enjoy!least for the art in it. Enjoy!

LINE

The bold yellow color of the flowers compared to the dull background allows the eye to follow the sunflowers. From the left farthest flower down, to the right and up to the flower on the far right, they form an s-shaped line.

Kyle Elementary Courtyard, Kyle, TX, June 17, 2008

COLOR

The rich hues of the flowers are an example of color.

Saddlebrook Subdivision, San Marcos, TX, June 20, 2008

SHAPE

The shape of the Mesquite tree leaves are flat, simple, and two-dimensional.

Las Quintas Subdivision, Eagle Pass, TX, June 15, 2008

MASS

The hugeness of the cactus plant with its irregular leaves (large and small) give an example of mass.


TEXTURE

The Mesquite allows the viewer to imagine the rough feel of the bark’s texture.


VALUE

The way the sunlight reflects off the top of the flowers makes their yellow color look lighter. In the shade the yellow looks darker, demonstrating value.

Cabela’s World’s Foremost Outfitter Store, Buda, TX, June 19, 2008

SPACE

Because there doesn’t seem to be a beginning or end to the crop rows it’s as if they go into infinite space.

IH-35 North near Saddlebrook Subdivision, San Marcos, TX, June 12, 2008

UNITY

Unity is seen in this group of plants because together they offer a sense of oneness, as though they belong together.


VARIETY

Although these plants are all different when they come together they are interesting to look at and provide an example of variety.


BALANCE

The visual weight of the Pine tree is balanced in that the eye follows the heaviness and wideness of the bottom of the tree to the top where it tapers off.


EMPHASIS

Against the green foliage the purple flowers are the focal point and are emphasized in the photograph.


SCALE

The size of the cactus fruit compared to the cactus leaf give an idea of scale.


RHYTHM

The leaves of the Lilyturf coming straight up, sideways, and down exemplify rhythm.


MOVEMENT

Movement can be seen in the windblown tops of the corn stalks.

Highway 90, Uvalde, TX, June 16, 2008

Gonzalezjournalofimages

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