:: Final Project Statement ::

DaKoda Davis
Final project proposal
Layer stacking


For my final project I plan on creating a series of illustrations within a containment that gives the viewer a sense of depth. The paintings will reflect the idea in the same way that photoshop uses layers to construct pieces. this same technique will executed by doing hand made illustrations assembled in various layers. The illustrations when made will be selectively placed and appear to have depth. The containment will most likely be a box with one window to view. The content will be made with acrylic paint and chip or matte board.

The content will depict some type of narrative. Without confining myself, this maybe an overlay of various organic features such as the trees and branches within a forest, which are staggered and thus change proportions. The envioronment may contain little creatures or subjects befitting that of a fairytale like landscape. This will reveal many secrets with narratives explaining the nature, the history and odd peculiarities of the creatures involved.

The main content will be a Magic forest that is superimposed on a realistic urban forest such as the ancient forest 'Overton Park'. This forest is threatened by a 'Grinch like creature' who has no care or concern for the little creatures of the forest. He is possessed with stealing trees to build his giant throne. This is a political satire representing the CEO of the Memphis Zoo 'Chuck Brady' whose bull-dozing of ancient forest has angered and divided the citizens of Memphis.

The recent discovery of an unusual species of spider in the forest is an ironic parallel to this fable. Left to his own devices the grinch of the forest would surely have destroyed this heritage.
In conclusion, through the use of colorful imagery and simulation of layers composed will illustrate and reflect the overall presense of the process and image making through digital programs that we as artists use today.

:: Final Drawn Painting ::

:: tiny icons ::

making a series of tiny icons for the web.

Better know as {fav icons}

• Read chap. 12 in {One on One}

• Write a formal concept statement for your Final project.

• should detail at least what you are doing in terms of process.

• the technical aspect should be detailed.

• Micro Imaging project

• Create 6 fav icons {3 for yourself, 3 for clients a,b,c}

• 16x16 px

• 10 OSX icons 5 for next week

• 512 px x 512 px

:: 10.28.08 ::

:: The Hole Book ::

The book is coming along, I just have to keep working to reach the finish line. The ending is taking a different turn towards something more humorous than expected. Want to know what it is? 

Well its a surprise! 

The piece is taking some extra effort, but I really feel that challenging myself in this way is very rewarding for me as an illustrator. I am changing the color scheme to unify the overall presentation. I am using a limited palette choice in order to achieve this effect.

:: Photoshop Brush sketches ::

For this I have always wanted to paint a portrait in Photoshop. Yes this will take a bit of time, but I am hoping that I can do more than one. For the most part, the idea is to do some very cool hand work digitally. I might even do a few landscapes in various styles, with various brushes too.

{So this is the portrait so far.  This will be the image I work off of for the continuation project}

:: Final Project ::

For my final project I plan on creating a series of illustrations within a containment that gives the viewer a sense of depth. The paintings will reflect the idea in the same way that photoshop uses layers to construct pieces.  this same technique will executed by doing hand made illustrations assembled in various layers. The illustrations when made will be selectively placed and appear to have depth. The containment will most likely be a box with one to two windows to view.  The content will be made with acrylic paint and wood, or perhaps matte board. The content will depict some type of narrative. This could also be changed depending on the feed back received.

:: Layer Masking II ::

So for a quick Re-cap. My layer masking is a series of illustrations based off of the timeless classic 'RotKaeppchen', OR 'Little Red Cap.' My clipping masks or areas that will be cut out are meant to be very subtle. In the previous four comps, the areas are I - the basket rim, II- right hand side of forest background, III- Door of grandmother's cottage, and IV- Window of Grandmother's cottage. In the next four comps, the areas of white are the clipping areas.  Image 5 - opening of forest,  Image 6 - Window panes, Image 7 - Tree Stump, and Image 8 - None. 

The work is coming along, however I am not satisfied with Images 7-8. I will be creating 10 total illustrations for the overall book. I am planning on changing the series at the end to something more creative. I don't feel that the last two images stand well with the others. I perhaps will show more dynamic scenes involving the axe-man and the wolf. The comps are not the finished illustrations. I am re-working all images to a more story like execution. I have five inked so far and only the first re-painted. I Hope everyone likes the work so far. 

:: Actual Illustrations ::

:: Layer Masking ::

:: Image Idea With Layer Masking ::

For this project I am planning on doing some type of a narrative. At this point it is pretty vague as to what the specific story line will be, but I am in debate over that. Most likely it will be some form of a children's story line. Perhaps even adult humor.  Not really sure. I want to incorporate the landscape in various ways that will act as layer masks to have the viewer turn the page. It is definitely a work in progress. I think with a bit more brainstorming I will have a clearer theme.

:: Image Statement ::

Save the planet eat a snack!
Exercise Common Sense not your car!
Don't drive all over town for fast food!
A power bar is faster and better for you!
Help Protect our Ecosystem!
Recycle!

For this project I am composing images of a wholesome pre-packaged meal replacement product in conjuction with a message saving money, saving time, being eco-friendly, and living more wholesome. Target corporation strives to feature complete collections on ideas of eco-friendliness which I plan to elaborate on through means of photography and text.

:: Final Piece ::

So this is what I came up with. What do you think?

:: Commercial Piece ::

The company that I have selected to create a commercial type work is for the Target corporation. What I am trying to do is address a target audience of people with professional and educational ambitions. By choosing an identifiable female, who is attractive but not intimidating, I anticipate to reach the widest possible audience. By choosing the corporate colors of red and white, the image is quickly identifiable as a target message. Visual association such as stylized books, as well as yoga poses in fitness clothing, I visually associate education and fitness with the company. One piece by symbolism of books visually represent education, while the other piece with a yoga pose visually represents fitness.

:: Popular Images ::

:: Positive Images ::

This ad, for Mohawk flooring, takes everyday expectations to the absurd. This is done so in connecting fairy tale images of the perfect world with its product. By mere nature of a castle-like splendor the absurd becomes realistic, and makes the viewer feel as if they too want this type of home.

This image for teeth whitening gum by the name of Melon Breeze for Orbit's has quasi sexual images of coconut covered 'melons' and a brilliant lamp covering a brilliant smile in a very comical way. The add suggests that your happy smile be as bright as a 60 watt bulb. Something we, as the viewer/consumer, are willing to accept by Sheree nature of the whimsical ad.

This commercial piece with a stern looking male delivers the ultimate proof that his shave is super smooth. Two babies held by scientists smile ear to ear rather than cry as one would expect. They would if their proverbial baby smooth butts were rubbed against anything less smooth. Being that a scruffy face is seen by many as an impairment to popular social interaction, the double exposure to happy baby butts will be accepted by most as ultimate proof.

:: Negative ::

In this piece for Cantonfair representing China Import and Export Fair, an ant surrounded by Sugar cubes is intended to invoke images of business appetite and overwhelming possibilities. However, in light of recent Melamine scandals in China as well as other scandals involving food products. My first association is that of tainted sugar, potentially another tainted agricultural product. Another association with Polio vaccine is particularly administered by adding a drop to a sugar cube to make it palatable. While it provides protection to most, it causes severe reaction in some such as death and even polio itself. While the association of such a small product such as sugar, and appetite is obvious the thinking mind conjures up images of food tampering and extreme caution.

Old Spice attempts to set itself apart with a trend setting product which, in this ad, is a soap bar substitute. Unfortunately, my personal association with old spice while looking at this photo is that of uncouth roommates with filthy habits. They are the only ones I have seen use this product before. I can easily visualize this trend setting substitute bar set-up half opened and spilled next to a filthy toilet in a nasty Hollywood apartment. This effectively negates the effort of wanting to purchase such a product.

Spa treatments are typically associated with soothing elements such as mud baths, warm water, and salts. Opposite to that would be disturbing images that in some arouse basic primal fears. These could be with fire, spiders, and most of all snakes. This is a piece for a spa treatment in Northern Israel where snakes of different variety are placed along the back of the client in order to give them relaxing sensations. Only the most cerebral could make the psychological jump to find soothing salvation in overcoming primal fears.

:: In Class Project ::

Using the tools of Adobe, we created a small sample showing our knowledge of the programs within the hour. Here is my little creation.

:: Digitally Altered Work ::

The following are a few samples of work that have been altered digitally, be that by photo manipulation, airbrushing, or other various technical methods.