Final Paper / Project

Project

For the project, you are to create a new work of art that is consistant with the style of the artist you have chosen, had they lived another five to ten years. You must take into account all aspects of the piece, from size, to media, to subject matter - especially those produced later in their careers. All of the attributes of the work should be as authentic as possible. If your artist worked in bronze, then figure out how to have it cast in bronze. If he or she was a printmaker, your work should be done on a press, and so on. Consider influences on their lives - relationships, environments, etc as it would have affected their work. Was the artist just beginning to explore a particular type of medium or subject when they died? What was it? How do you think this might have developed? Be ready to explain your logic as to why you think this is the direction he or she would have gone.

Please see me if you have any questions. The completed work is due at the beginning of class on the day your presentation is scheduled.

*If you choose to use oil paint or another slow-drying media, be aware of its extremely long drying time, so start early and consider using a drying medium. If you give me a wet painting, it WILL COST YOU DEARLY. Oh yes. It will.

Do not copy a previous work by the artist and tell me it's a new one. I'll know, trust me. Do not simply produce a piece that falls within a genre. For example, if you choose to produce a work by Claude Monet, do not simply make an Impressionist painting. Renior, Degas and Monet certainly had different approaches to painting, and you would need to take this into account. Likewise, do not simply assemble together parts or styles of previous paintings in order to fashion a new one (unless applicable to your artist for a specific reason.)

Paper Specifications:

You will also be required to write for me a short paper about work you have created for your final project. This paper should be on a college level and in perfect condition when I receive it. Here are the specifications:

The paper should be written according to Chicago Style guidelines. Please use footnotes instead of parenthetical documentation. Copies of their style manual are available for your convenience in the library. The paper should consist of 8-10 pages in total. Typing will be in 10 point text, double-spaced and in a Times or Times Roman typeface.

First page is cover page. Cover page includes your title, your name, my name, and the date—nothing else. You may include no more than one page of illustrations

Last page is your works cited, or bibliography page. I want a minimum of 6 separate sources. At least four of your sources must be hard copies (books, manuscripts, articles). The others may be electronic. You may use more than six sources. Your final paper should be turned in bound in a clear plastic folder – no staples.

Your introduction should include exactly what your paper is going to about.

First, your artist should be deceased and have produced the bulk of his or her work during the time period covered in this class (1840 - Current). Begin with a short biography and background of your artist. Where did he come from? Where were they from? What training did they have? Who did she know? What were his works like?

Discuss the stylistic evolution of your artist, especially the last few years of life. What was his style like? How was the later work different from earlier pieces? What did she use for subject matter? Did this change as the artist matured? What did it appear like she was moving toward? Why was he doing this?

Discuss this artist's impact on the history of art. Where does he or she fit into the whole scheme of things. How did this artist's work impact other artists?

Lastly, and most importantly, I want you to write at least TWO (2) pages about WHY you painted (or sculpted) what you did. What drew you to the work of this particular artist. Explain the style as well as the content. Why do you feel this is something the artist would have done had they lived on? Explain your logic in great detail and be able to defend it. List the circumstances that you feel would have led the artist to produce this piece. What are your thoughts about this? This is a work that requires logic and critical thinking your part, so please apply yoursleves.

PLEASE VISIT THE SAU WRITING CENTER ON THE BOTTOM FLOOR OF MAGALE LIBRARY !!! They are more than eager to assist you in writing a wonderful paper.

Acts of Plagiarism
Southern Arkansas University has a very low tolerance for plagiarism. I have a particular hatred for plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of trying to pass of the ideas or concepts of another as one’s own. This can be a single sentence, turn of a phrase or structure of an argument without citation or credit. I do check sources on every paper so please make sure you give credit where credit is due – it can mean the difference between passing and failing the course! It’s very simple and easy to cite a source.

If I find that you have plagiarized a term paper, even just a small portion of it, you WILL receive, at the minimum, a zero on the paper and a drop in a letter grade for the course. I despise plagiarism, and will pursue suspected plagiarists to the full disciplinary measures allowed by this university.Depending on the severity of the incident, punishment for plagiarism may include failure for the course and disciplinary action (suspension and/or expulsion) from the University as well. I have done this without hesitation in the past.

Classroom Presentation
Each presentation should last between 10 and 15 minutes with 5 minutes or so allowed at the end for questions from myself and the class. You will focus on the new work and explain why you produced it and be able to explain the circumstance behind it's creation, had you lived another 5-10 years. You will be responsible for any visuals you wish to include (illustrations, slide presentations, etc.) I will assit anyone who needs help. Remember, YOU ARE THE ARTIST, so deliver your presentation in the first person. Be ready to answer any questions someone may have from the artist's point of view. Costumes are quite appropriate for this presentation. Bring your completed work to the presentation and use it as a focal point of your discussion.

Ten Tips for an effective presentation:
1. Make eye contact with your audience.
2. Be enthusiastic about your subject.
3. Don't speak in monotone.
4. Use interesting slides or graphics to enliven a presentation.
5. Try to avoid using "ummm" and "uhhhh" and "you know" as much as possible.
6. Practive your presentation ahead of time on friends or relatives to work out any problems.
7. KNOW YOUR MATERIAL!!!! You will be asked questions about your subject at the end of your presentation. If you have thoroughly reserached your topic, you should have no problem answering these questions. It will also help your delivery.
8. Memorize your presentation. Nothing is more boring than someone reading an entire paper as their presentation, Cue cards or memory cards are acceptible, but do NOT read your paper for 15 minutes!
9. Smile, enjoy your presentation, it's fun!
10. Any costumes or props you might want to incorporate can always be refreshing as well.

Part of your grade will come from a classroom evaluation by your peers. The presentations may be filmed or photographed for my records as well.