Scent

Author

Chang Liu, Utah State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

5-2020

Degree Type

Creative Project

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Art and Design

Committee Chair(s)

Woody Shepherd

Committee

Woody Shepherd

Committee

Christopher Terry

Committee

Ryoichi Suzuki

Abstract

The watercolor I have considered transparent watercolor my primary medium since I began painting. I am interested in the tradition of watercolor most associated with drawing. I work primarily in transparent watercolor, because its character allows for a wonderful blending of spontaneity and control.

I wanted to focus my training on watercolors only because it requires so many different skills not normally used in oil or pastels. I feel I can use more imagination from my heart when painting watercolors. For years I have been interpreting flowers from photos I have taken, and am always so pleased when I can create colorful images on my paper. The subject for my painting is always flower, because I love flowers dynamic change the petals overlapping the pretty. Georgia O’Keeffe said “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else… Nobody really sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time… So I said to myself – I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me but I’ll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it.”

I have been experimenting with acrylic as well as more opaque variations of watercolor. My previous work had been more controlled and precise while my more recent compositions have taken on more expression and experimentation. I now find myself re-interpreting a number of artistic statements that have reference to twentieth century art forms more so than the historical or cultural elements of my Chinese homeland and influence.

Recommended Citation

Liu, Chang, "Scent" (2020). All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023. 1441.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/1441