Issues Series
- UNCP Author/Contributor (non-UNCP co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Chelsey Parsons, Honors College Scholar (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP )
- Web Site: http://www.uncp.edu/academics/library
- Advisor
- Brandon Sanderson
Abstract: My artwork generally contains themes of abstract self-portraiture, history, fantasy, and
issues in society. In this particular series, I chose to relate to current issues in American society
that I feel need to be recognized.
The issues that the posters portray include: the addition of hormones and steroids to farm
animals to make them grow quickly, teen pregnancy and its glorification, and aerosols and their
effect on the ozone layer.
Hormones are chemicals that are given to farm animals so that they will grow faster.
These hormones can cause dairy cows to produce more milk and can cause cows, chickens, and
pigs to grow larger, so therefore providing more meat. These hormones have been linked to
causes of cancer.
Teen pregnancy is not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. It being glorified is. The majority of
teenage moms do not finish high school, and of the ones who do, few go on to obtain a college
education. Most of them are also not ready for a child of their own.
Aerosols have been proven to cause deterioration of the ozone layer. As the ozone layer
deteriorates, ultraviolet rays spread across the earth’s surface and become stronger.
Stylistically, the posters are based off of designs from the 1950s. They are mixed media
posters: the fonts and background imagery are digital and the main subjects are relief woodcut
prints.
First, I researched the issues that are stated above, having to decide which issues I felt
were most important. I then had to design imagery that I felt would portray these issues
accurately.
Second, I created the woodcut prints, using woodcutting tools, medium density
fiberboard (MDF), Canson fine art paper, oil based ink, a roller, an ink knife, and a seventeenthcentury
etching press. I drew the designs onto the MDF, then carved out the ‘white space.’ Once
that had been done, I printed the blocks onto the fine art paper.
Third, I scanned the prints into the computer and put them into Photoshop CS6. I took the
white space out so that only the black lines of the image showed. I then proceeded to add the
backgrounds, drop shadows, and text.
Fourth, I printed the three posters twice: once on digital art paper and once on fine art
paper, using an Epson printer.
Ultimately, I chose the posters printed on the fine art paper as my final product. The fine
art paper is an off-white that compliments the ink and gives the whole piece a warm, vintage
tone.
Issues Series
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Created on 5/1/2014
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Honors Project
- Esther G. Maynor Honors College
- Language: English
- Date: 2014
- Keywords
- Aerosol, Hormones, Teen Pregnancy, Woodcut Prints