Portfolio

Sarah Byrd

Study of my hand (2010)• 8x4in•Colored pencil on paper

Apples (2011)

• 16x12in• Watercolor on paper

Figure and Fabric Study (2011)

• 18x20in• Colored pencil and Watercolor on paper

Self Portrait (2011)

• 16x12in•Crayon on paper

Study of my shoe (2012)

• 16x12in• Colored pencil on paper

“Healing” (2012)• 6x16in• Monoprint

Reasoning behind “Healing”

• This is a piece from my concentration last year. Last year my concentration was on sexual harassment because I have experienced it, and most high school and college girls have or will also experience it. This is the second work I did dealing with healing. The face is very solemn and scratched and slightly messed-up. On the candle is healing written in Arabic. Also, other elements of Arabic art are used such as arabesque. The reason I chose to put a candle in there is because heat purifies things. Also, Candles are often involved in healing ceremonies.

“Open Happiness” (2012)

• 12x10in• Colored pencil and ink

Study of a flower (2012)

• 5.5x8.5in• Ink

Quick study of glass (2012)

• 3x5in• Colored pencil

Quick figure study (2012)

• 3x5in• Colored pencil

Another quick figure study (2012)

• 4x6in• Colored pencil

Study of outside (2012)

• 19x25in• Oil pastel

Tree branch (2012)• 12x18in• Watercolor and ink on paper

“The Puppet Master” (2012)

• 19x25in• Ink pen and white colored pencil• Work in progress

Reasoning behind “The Puppet Master”

• The assignment behind this was to create a tri-self-portrait describing yourself. I took this opportunity to describe how I often am too controlled and also often let myself believe lies. That is why the one in the back is literally being a puppet master to the other two marionette me’s. Also, it is why the marionette on the left is whispering to the somber one on the right. I plan on adding strings tied to the puppet master’s fingers and strings tied to the top of the marionettes’ heads and their wrists. Through this I learned that there is such thing as too much cross hatching and how to make a more successful self-portrait.

“Welcome to My House” (2012)

• 19x20in• Watercolor, watercolor pencil, and colored pencil

Reasoning behind “Welcome to My House”

• This assignment was to create a self portrait displaying emotion. During this time I noticed that I never do happy self portraits, so I finally decided to do one. In this portrait, I’m in Disney World, which is deemed “the happiest place on earth.” However, I didn’t want it to look exactly like Cinderella’s castle so I blurred it a little. I am generally a very happy person, so this self portrait is the most successful I’ve ever done. Also, I like the title because it’s kind of witty considering the name Sarah means princess.

Study of a face for future concentration usage (2012)

• 5.5x8.5in• Colored pencil

“Kristen Soreano” (2012)

• 14x11in• Acrylic, ink, and paper• Work in progress

Reasoning behind “Kristen Soreano”

• For my AP concentration this year, I am doing portraits of friends and family and how I view them and how they view themselves. So I’m currently doing one of one of my best friends. In it I have her walking down a path with a dark side and a light side towards what looks to be the ocean, but could be anything. I wrote words describing my view of her and collaged it in. I am considering many options for what to add to it. I attempted a cloud; however, it was not as successful as I would like so I took that out. Jesus walking to her left is probably the direction I will go in.

“Peeper” (2012)• 5.5x8.5in• Ink

“Ashley Bond” (2012)

• 18x24in• Acrylic• Work in progress

Reasoning behind “Ashley Bond”

• This is also part of my concentration. In this I am admiring my friend’s ability to praise the Lord even in hard times. It has a lot of problems with it currently. For example, the forearms and really entire body of the girl on the right are too elongated. Also, the cloud looks a bit ridiculous. I am still figuring it out; however, it is a process and I will figure it out.

Leaf (2012)• 5.5x8.5in• Colored pencil• Work in progress

Artist Statement

• I simply do art because I love it and it is how I express myself. I am a fairly good writer—so I am told anyway—but nothing compares to how I can express myself through art. Also, I use it to help others see things in themselves or to just make someone feel an emotion if even for a moment. There is almost nothing I love more. One day I hope to inspire young artists as both a teacher and an artist. It is something that’s very important to me, and I believe that I need to use the talents given to me to the fullest in order to please God and help others and myself.