Emily+Brunson

= Reality is always extraordinary. -Mary Ellen Mark =

Dear Future AP Art Students, As a graduating senior who sat an AP Art exam two years; 2-D Design Portfolio my junior year and Drawing Portfolio as a senior. I learned quite a lot about the requirements of the program and how to succeed. My junior year my portfolio consisted of photography from my backyard, focusing on the seasons. I worked hard from the beginning of the year capturing images I imagined to be perfect for my concentration. I spent a lot of time with Ms. Goodridge selecting images that encompassed the elements of design AP was looking for. With careful consideration and using my time wisely my portfolio was completed by February. However, other students were working on putting their portfolios together on the day of the exam in May. Through this I learned a valuable lesson: time management is the key to success and the best way to reduce stress during the testing month of May. I received a 5 on my portfolio, the only 5 given to a junior that year. I was so excited when I received my score because it was proof that my hard work had pay off. This year I sat Drawing Portfolio. It is completely different from 2-D in that they are looking for more depth and realism in your artwork. My concentration revolved around the kitchen, its tools, and food. My concentration began with work done in pencil, but I later branched out to different media such as acrylic, oil, and watercolor. I would highly recommend experimenting with different media. I had always stayed with the same things, acrylic paint, charcoal, and colored pencil. This year Ms. Goodridge encouraged me to work with oils and I absolutely fell in love. You should all definitely try painting with oil. Stepping out of my comfort zone made me realize that I can take my artwork to a whole new level.

So now I feel like I should make you a list of random tid-bits =)

Well, good luck AP Art Students! I hope you have as much fun as I did the past two years. When things get challenging do something new! Talk to Ms. Goodridge also because she can help you with allll of your problems =D
 * 1) Don’t over think coming up with a concentration. Take time to think about the things you really enjoy, something that inspires you, or an issue you feel passionate about. You are going to be spending a lot of time coming up with 12 pieces of art surrounding this concentration so make sure you can really come up with required amount of work, 12 in your concentration. Although you can do detail shots, in my opinion it’s better to have 12 pieces.
 * 2) Once you have your concentration in mind make sketches. It really helps to put down your entire vision down in rough sketches. Even if you don’t have visions for all of your work you have to start somewhere and then more inspiration will come.
 * 3) Start early. You need to have allll 12 pieces for you breathe finished by 1st semester and hopefully some for your concentration.
 * 4) Take Ms. Goodridge’s criticisms and advice, but if you feel strongly about how you want your artwork to look, say so. You are the artist and it is your vision. She will respect you for knowing what you want in a piece of art.
 * 5) Use you’re time in class. I didn’t spend much time outside of class finishing my artwork, but I guess this could be that I had two art classes my second semester of my senior year.
 * 6) Try something new!!! Different papers, colors, and media! =D experimenting is fuuun!

Sincerely, Emily Brunson

Concentration:
        ing Sticks." Pencil, Chalk, Charcoal. 18 x 24. "Spoon Drowning in Tortellini Brodo." oil pastel and oil paint. 18 x 24.

"Salad Mixer." Colored pencil, watercolor, and acrylic. 8 x 11.

"Kitchen Comforts." Acrylic. 15 x 18.

=Breadth:=

"Turquoise Eyes." Acrylic. 9 x 10 1/2.

 "Distance." Acrylic. 13 x 10 1/4. "Along the Winding Road." Acrylic. 11 1/2 x 8 1/4.

"Turtle neck." Watercolor. 18 x 24. "Belief." Marker. 18 x 24. "Contemplation." Chalk and Charcoal. 18 x 24. "Black Horse." Charcoal. 18 x 24. "Muddy Perspective." Watercolor. 18 x 24. "The Girl in Red." Acrylic. 18 x 24.



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