AP Studio Art
AP STUDIO ART
Course Description 2021
The AP Art and Design course framework presents an inquiry-based approach to learning about and making art and design. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas. The AP Art and Design program corresponds with college and university foundation courses. Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and the development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of the year.
SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION
How do I create a visual depiction of what different mental health challenges look and feel like?
After collecting feedback from 13 surveys I created and doing extensive research, I put together a collection of pieces depicting what mental health challenges feel like to the best of my ability. I created pieces based on Multiple Personality Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Depression, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Overload Disorder, generalized Eating Disorders, Addiction, Schizophrenia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I also included two pieces focuses on the idea of negative self-talk and self-harm.
I showed evidence of my growth throughout this year by gaining a deeper understanding of different mental health challenges and how to better depict them by moving past stereotypes and showing symbolism throughout my pieces. I experimented with several different mediums including makers, acrylic paint, stamp making, collage, chalk, oil pastels, etc. I worked to push myself to create more complex and thought-provoking pieces. My goal is to bring awareness to what mental health challenges actually feel like.
MY PORTFOLIO
Final Pieces
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment to daily life.
Dimensions: 20 inches x 16 inches
Materials: Canvas, Paintbrushes, Acrylic Paint, Reference Photo, Pencil, Fine Tip Marker, Eraser, Duct Tape
Process: Research, Took reference photo, painted woman, added duct tape
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER
A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
Dimensions: 24 inches x 18 inches
Materials: Research, Acrylic Paint, Mod Podge, Newspaper Clippings, Canvas, Paintbrushes, Pencils, Sketchbook
Process: White base, multi-colored brush stokes, various textured paint techniques, newspaper clipping
INTERMITTENT EXPLOSIVE DISORDER
A disorder involving repeated, sudden episodes of impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior or angry verbal outbursts in which you react grossly out of proportion to the situation.
Dimensions: 18 inches x 24 inches
Materials: Research, Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Reference Photo, Canvas
Process: Created a unique and textured background using black and red, painted the woman over the background.
SENSORY OVERLOAD DISORDER
The overstimulation of one or more of the body's five senses.
Dimensions: 18 inches x 24 inches
Materials: Research, Acrylic Paint, Carved Stamp, Printing Ink, Markers
Process: Painted base layer via acrylic paint, carved and printed stamp, painted and drew over
EATING DISORDERS
A mental health condition characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.
Dimensions: 16 inches x 20 inches
Materials: Notability App, Mod Podge, Acrylic Paint, Fine Tip Markers, Surveys, Nutrition Labels, Sharpies
Process: Drew sketch on iPad, Mod Podged on nutrition labels, Crossed out calorie count on nutrition labels, Painted figure
ADDICTION
A brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.
Dimensions: 16 inches x 20 inches
Materials: Survey Responses, Oil Pastels, Chalk, Acrylic Paint, Mod Podge, Pencils, Newspaper
Process: Cut newspaper, Painted Background, Drew Still Life, Mod Podge Clippings, Wrote Addicts Negative Self-Talk
SCHIZOPHRENIA
A serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Often seem like they have lost touch with reality.
Dimensions: 18 inches x 24 inches
Materials: Mod Podge, Sharpies, Newspaper Clippings, Scissors, Paintbrushes, Acrylic Paint, Fine Tip Markers
Process: Cut out Newspaper Clippings, Mod Podged them to Canvas, Wrote Schizophrenic Paranoid Thoughts, Painted Silhouette with Acrylic Paint and Added Detail with Fine Tip Marker
DISSOCIATIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER
A disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.
Dimensions: 12 inches x 9 inches
Materials: Watercolor, Fine Tip Marker, Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Watercolor Paper, Grid Reference Photo
Process: Put tape around border, Painted face with watercolor and acrylic paint, Drew over with fine tip marker
BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
A mental illness involving obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance.
Dimensions: 12 inches x 16 inches
Materials: Printed Body Shaming/Unhealthy Dieting Magazines, Mod Podge, Fine Tip Markers, Acrylic Paint
Process: Painted body and mold, Cut out painting from canvas, Mod Podged magazine covers, Glued original painting to canvas
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
A chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety.
Dimensions: 11 inches x 14 inches
Materials: Linoleum Block, Carving Tool, Sharpies, Printing Ink, Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Marker, Paintbrushes, Ink Roller, Sketch
Process: Research, Sketched Idea, Carved Linoleum Block with Carving Tool, Printed, Painted Figure with Acrylic Paint
SELF-HARM
Self-harm is when you hurt yourself as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences.
Dimensions: 10 inches x 8 inches
Materials: Markers, Pencils, Sketchbook, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Glue, Past Personal Journal Entries, Research
Process: Drew and Colored Hands, Wrote Past Journal Entries in Background, Glued Embossing Powder and Applied Heat Tool
NEGATIVE SELF-TALK
Any inner dialogue you have with yourself that may be limiting your ability to believe in yourself and your own abilities, and to reach your potential.
Dimensions: 10 inches x 8 inches
Materials: Sketchbook, Markers, Pens, Pencils, Research
Process: Drew and Colored Person, Colored Background, Wrote Out Negative Self-Talk