Senior Thesis Public Posting

Thesis Proposal

Aug 2011

Alan ReNae Neal

I feel like nature holds unlimited beauty and divine inspiration. I also feel that evolution and the understanding thereof is vital to our future, and understanding evolution is key to evolving my own work. Therefore, my work this year will involve experimenting with textures and substances coming from nature, and the basis of my inspiration will be found in evolution, nature, sex, or death. Using materials that can be attached to a surface using acrylic mediums, I want to explore such surface treatments as tapioca, coffee, sunflower seeds, pistachio hulls, and many other grocery items. I want my work to reflect the natural shapes and fluid lines found in flowers, plants, water, animals, and any other natural thing that would be appealing. I will draw on biology, geography, physiology, psychology, astrophysics, astronomy, geology, ecology, botany, astrobiology, religion, anti- religion, politics, and current events as sources of information, to help keep my work current and contemporary. I may also explore the subconscious, and look internally for inspiration for my work, using dreams, fantasy, and other intangible thoughts for reference.

I want to create a FEW larger paintings, but most should be smaller than 68" x 46", for the sake of transport. I also intend to continue to experiment with shaped canvases, utilizing a number of pieces to hang from the ceiling, off a wall, from wall to floor, and freestanding.

My biggest goal this semester is to find my niche, or style, in art, and to make it different, unusual, the kind of thing people don't see everyday. At present, I feel like I am on to something with the shaped canvases, but due to time restraints, I need to approach these with a different infrastructure, and a smaller, easier transportable size. Breaking away from the wooden infrastructure that I used last year, I want to try making lighter pieces using foam core, or gatorboard, so the pieces are sturdy enough for transport, but light enough to make transport easier.

Although I need to keep my options open for experimentation, I do plan on focusing on a certain look and style, in order to accomplish what I need to accomplish this year.

I will continue to experiment with installations and video, perhaps merging video with painting, and will explore other avenues of creativity in order to continue my quest for my own personal style and look.

Although my major may be painting, I want to combine painting and 3d/sculptural elements in each piece, in order to claim my own place in art history, and to define a newer way of creating paintings. This, I feel, is a credible path toward being different, yet current, within the world of art, and allows me the freedom to explore new and exciting ways to speak the language of art.