My choice for my capstone was very selective. After going through many fantastic ideas I knew that I had one passion that I wanted to pursue. My final choice was to produce and develop my art skills. Before entering Science Leadership Academy as a freshman I knew that I wanted to involve myself in the Art extra curricular class. In this class I wanted to become advance with my artistic abilities and find my ability to explore the world in the view point of a growing artist. I believe that there is no better place to learn art than in an art class room. I had the opportunity to learn not only about the world and its cultures, but themselves and their own communities. Art introduces ideas about how other artist and people live, worked and though, whiles nurturing an appreciation of their own way of life.  

I chose this project mainly because of my extraordinary love for art and how developing it became over time. My sketching and artistic abilities have immensely improved over the years and art having become such a standing point in my life that producing an art portfolio to show only felt right. In order to begin my work, I kept a close sketchbook near by.  As an artist I wanted to show my processed work and how I developed ideas by also showing how my work has matured. I also created a website to show case my finished work online as well as other information that I used such as a variety of youtube videos and resource pertaining to beginners to advanced art lessons/videos.

My capstone addresses the “presentation” core value because within my portfolio it documents visually my process of how well I developed over a course of time.  This project also involved the other core values that made my final project into a finished visual product. Though presentation best fits the representation of my project it also involved a lot of research. In order to do the research portion I needed to conduct some questions. What are some important aspects to improve as an artist? What other techniques and drawings can I challenge myself to? I needed to come up with a portfolio that embodies my ideas, research, innovations, skills, and work process. I also had to dig deep into the research to demonstrate good technical skills by making sure that I have the basics down such as anatomy, color, lighting, etc. A creative art piece without proper proportions is not going to impress and well slow down the process of improving. I collaborated with my peers and other outside sources as well as feed back on artist blogs. This feed back helped me when any questions I had on certain topics that related to art techniques and advice. For the reflection part of my capstone I was able to go to the free library of Philadelphia and get a couple books based on the fine arts and art techniques. I made sure I used all my research from the book and incorporated it into my final portfolio. 

In order to complete my final product I needed to start sketching what I learned from the research and begin my process in my sketchbook. As I began to start using all my open time into sketching I found it becoming fairly easy as I was familiar with beginners art techniques. The process started to become more and more interesting to me because I found myself coming across videos using online resources that helped me learn newer techniques and that is what gave my sketches a realistic feel.  To begin my process I first did some preliminary research on basic art techniques and art history. I then made a timeline to plan out the days I would be working in my sketchbook and updating my website, and also meetings with my capstone mentor Ms. Dunn. The videos that I research refreshed my memory on techniques that could help towards improving skills. 

One obstacle that I faced was coordinating with my set timeline and getting the right amount of time in for finishing up certain sketches. If I wasn’t done one of my sketches, it would become frustrating because I would not able to start another sketch until I was completely done the one I was originally working with. This problem keep some of the days of track and held me back from doing more sketching in little time. Obstacles as such gives a heads up for future awareness that time management can play a role in your art life. 

The thing that I’m most proud about my capstone is that I am about to represent myself as a learning artist. After finishing up anything that took you awhile to a complete, you have the greatest feeling of accomplishment. Looking back into the process of this capstone there were a lot of trials and errors due to the fact that this wasn’t my original plan and I started the portfolio idea later into the months because of my other idea not going through as planned. I feel proud of myself that I stuck through and choose something that not only helped me grow as an artist but also as a person, by finding myself through my art work. 

Science Leadership Academy - Senior Capstone 2013

Student Name: Natalee Schiavoni

In school Mentor: Ms. Dunn

Link to my Capstone website:

http://716596935655210608.weebly.com/

Cover Page -

The goal of this project was to create an artistic portfolio of my most recent sketching and drawings to show my understanding for the techniques artist use to produce successful artwork. I want to mold together an artistic view point and practical techniques to create functional blog/website to help others find great resources.

Abstract -

My sketch portfolio is a collection of my best and most recent artwork that highlights my love for art and shows my experience throughout the year. It is a visual archive of my artistic accomplishments that demonstrates my ability and potential as an artist.  My finished portfolio documents additional work that demonstrates an awareness of formal visual organizational principles and experience with a variety of tools, media, styles, and approaches. You will be viewing still life, landscape, figure drawings, portrait, perspective, and diagrammatic drawings.

During Q3 my main focus was drawlings of the anatomy. I found drawling on drawspace.com of different body parts and thought it would be an interesting perspective to get the an inside look of the function of the human body. Many of my sketches show a dynamic aspect of details shadings and other artistic features to add on to my sketches. I set out to produce art about one subject so I can focus on one theme and work on one skill that I would like to improve.  I'm never without a sketchbook to hand so I am constantly drawing and sometimes the drawings are left in the sketchbook and other times they develop into more in-depth ideas and detailed images. Q3 like many seniors experience, I was packed with other obligations that came with the over powering work load of senior year making it difficult to put my full potential into producing more sketches that I would of enjoyed to make. Some of my other subject matter was about detailed human body parts and a comment on human body. And since I've always been a fan of the Anatomy  - a new strand of work seemed to link together to give me a great theme for this Q3

Q4  my focus is to produce and come up with a different theme to explain a certain piece of work - I want to produce art that can speak for itself and give a great message to its viewer. I want to end senior year by putting together all the skills I developed over the 4 years of having art and produce a great end of the year art piece.

Choosing this type of creative project was very enjoyable for me because I really enjoy creative projects. I was sure wanted to incorporate my artistic abilities into a successful project that will reflect similar themes from both The Scarlet Letter and Juno. After developing a series of ideas for my creative project piece I narrowed my choices down and can with the conclusion of showing the theme of Identity through small cutout snowflakes that join together to develop one larger snowflake. Through this my creative piece would identify the uniqueness one snowflake has as it conjoins with others to display a connection.

After choosing the creative part it was my job to figure out how to incorporate a theme from both the book and the movie into a theme that can relate to my choice of choosing "Snowflakes". One of the things I find that really caught my attention about snowflakes was that not all snowflakes were identified with the same pattern of design and all had their own unique self pattern. Relating back to the theme "Identify - Definitions/Redefinition" it stood out to me as both a reader and view of both the book and movie that many of the characters within the story lines both symbolized "finding ones true identity" and "Uniqueness". I intertwined a red snowflake to represent the the color blend of uniqueness and how it makes everyone who they are.

In order to creative this project, I first sketched the outline of how I wanted my snowflake design would look like in my sketchbook. After several hours of coming up with different designs to show the trend of unique patterns in each individual snowflake I then ended my sketching process with one larger snowflake from the smaller snowflakes that I have created. Once the sketching process of the project was done I then began to use about 25-30 sheets of white printer paper and began to cut out about 20 larger origami snowflakes and cut different shapes into each one to make a each one different. One I have completed this I cut the red snowflake and placed it in the middle. After all that I attached all the snowflakes then I was able to have a finished project.

Overall, with the outcome of my project I am very delighted. I believe that my creative project portrays the aspect of being different and finding ones true identity and effectively conveyed a theme for both stories. 

Drawing check-ins/ Sketch Book Journal/Q1 Benchmark

During this first Q1 Ms. Hull introduced us to a new website that provides different art projects and drawings. I have used many of my sketching idea from the website http://www.drawspace.com which provided me with a series of optional drawing methods and helped me improve my drawing sketches and incorporated drawing techniques along with examples from other artist. Draw space provides drawing from beginners to advanced artist with examples of their artwork that helped me improve my artist abilities from standard drawing to working with advanced levels of the website. I strongly enjoyed exploring the site and viewing the other drawings that showed me a variety of many artists and their own personal drawing skills. Being able to have access to a site that can teach you with a visual example and also write up followed by it to make it easy for artist of that level to understand.

First Check-in journal- For my first check- in journal I demonstrated the use of shadowing in the detail of my eye and eye brow sketches. From using draw space it has shown me what many of the artist do for the detail of the eyes giving it a structural realistic effect on its viewers. Drawing the eye is one of my confident standpoint because I have been familiar with that drawing standard in previous art classes and found myself drawing doodles of eyes in other sketchbooks that I have collected over the years. "Eyes are the window to the soul" and through my drawing I incorporated that messaged by drawing a series of different structures of eyes. 

Second check- in journal- I chose to demonstrate the use of shadowing with also helped me complete my first check- in journal of the eyes drawing. Shadowing is preferably my favorite thing to do with many of my sketches because it gives off a realistic feel and gives the drawing a structural effect.

Q1 Senior Art Benchmark - Q1 Benchmark for Senior Art was to create a Sugar Skull design that presents both features of the original design of the traditional Mexican heritage with touch of your own creations within it. Sugar Skulls are a traditional folk art from Southern Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead that involve colors and effects that represent vibrant colors and detail. The process of my product was to incorporate a traditional skeleton/zombie feel for Halloween. To get my design I used my own face as the structure from water paper plaster and waited for that to cool. Once I had hard mask I then copied my design our my sketch book onto the hard product. After the drawing part, I then began to paint on my design. The finished product was then glazed for a finishing look.

• http://nschiavoni4qwhatifhistory.blogspot.com/
  
  

  Point of Divergence- THe point of divergence that was presented in my benchmark involved the kidnapping plot of President Lincoln that Booth plotted amongst others. The future that was effected by my point of divergence was the result of President Lincoln's Reconstruction plan before his assassination. With this divergence happening many events were able to take place, such as the event of the civil war ending sooner then it should of due to abraham lincoln's response.  What I liked about this project was that as a student I was able to research a topic in history that I wasn't familiar with and able to change the course of time within it. Something that I found challenging about this benchmark was finding certain primary sources to fit my type of divergence. The most interesting event that I learned was about the Civil War and learning that Abraham Lincoln was involved with it. The actions of individuals impact the historical record because a specific time in history could of changed its course. If I were to produce a better project, I would take the time to look for a more specific point of divergence instead of the one I picked because I would feel more confident with other primary sources. Overall I am happy with the process of my 4th Quater benchmark.

For Q3 advanced art, I used a different style to bring most of my drawings to life. One of the artist tools that mainly are presented in my artwork is the use of pencil. I enjoy incorporating pencil into many of my drawings because I like to add shading and shadow textures. I love giving my drawings a more realistic feel so that my observers can actually get a taste of my art work and how I have improved over the last 1Q and 2Q. Overall I am very impressed with the styles I used and the progress that has come all this way from finishing all the artwork.

Self - portrait:

In this portrait that I have drawn of myself, I feel I could of done a better job at more of the shading aspect of the picture. I think there is room for improving this picture with more of the shadowing and shading around the eye area. The texture of the hair was my favorite part when I was creating this part of the portrait. I like giving things a texture and drawing it to seem realistic.

Texture Drawings:

Texture drawing is what I mainly progress in more of my detailed explanations about my drawings because it was a big part of the act of style I was incorporations into each of my drawings. In this picture I used a vase that I drew in order to show the process of shading and the use of shadowing. I like drawing still figures with good lighting because I am able to catch every aspect of angles to allow shading and shadowing.

Shading Practice:

Here are a few shading practice drawings that I have done to improve my shadowing and to allow the viewpoints of each of the different shading. My favorite part about shading in the different textures is blending in the final product.

What would you do differently next time? 
Primary researches involving our topic and maybe even a scale to keep our progress on point. I even think we needed an extended amount of time because design wise our graphic could have been improved.

Which of these areas did you excel in? Which were not so well represented? Why do you think some elements of design were easier or harder to include in the end product?

The message topic for our project seemed to be very brought out into recognition which included our detailed and labeled pictures. It was difficult to add a portion of information that sets in a visual way with detailed explanations presented.

“What causes systematic and individual change”?

-       - Systematic change is an opportunity to enact change on a situation that needs to be taken into consideration to enable change for the better. Individual change the hold out for the president to insure these problems and react to their actions by making change to better the economy and providing stability.

 What questions do you still have about “Business in America”?

 - How can the value of money in America be compared throughout history? 

                                                     Chronic Rebellion

The air was crisp as Taylor stared at the envelope that was lying on his front step. Something about that letter intrigued him. Perhaps it was the fact that it was on the cement step rather then stuck in the crowed mailbox with the rest of the mail. Analyzing the letter, there were no postage marks or return address to be found anywhere. The only thing that the letter showed was mysterious lettering spelling out “Taylor Smith.” Something about this letter gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. But he knew that opening the letter was the only way to find out what was inside of it.

Taylor couldn’t take the pressure any longer but the intense urge was eating him alive. Sliding the door shut Taylor placed the letter down on the counter. The fact that he was skipping school for the second day didn’t even cross his mind. As he poured himself a bowl of cereal he heard the front door open.

He could hear the door’s lock having struggle will it was being fiercely pulled back and fourth before it opened.

“Taylor! Anyone home” Taylor’s eyes opened real big as he pour his milk. His dad’s voice made he jump as he scattered to close the milk. Throwing his bowl in the sink, with fast thinking he opened the back window from the kitchen and climbed out of it. Taylor’s dad entered the kitchen and found the back window opened. With an annoyed emotion on his father face he closed the window tightly. Squatting down beneath the sliding of the window Taylor felt the thump of the window being closed waiting for his dad to be away from the window so he could make a run for it. Before he could make a clear run for it, he waited for his dad to get into the car and pull out of the driveway until he was turned the corner and was completely out of sight. Taylor stood up and jumped over the back yard gate and onto the sidewalk. While Pulling out the crumpled up cigarette pack out of his rusty blue jeans he looked at the pack and began to light it. Placing the pack back in his pocket he found the note. Walking by the field he saw his 3 childhood friends Luke, Chris, and Steven.

     “Guys I was this close to being caught by my pops today”

“Good one bro, that’s all we need is for you to get caught” Chris said as he sat back in the dugout against the gate. Luke looked at Taylor and then down out his front pocket where the letter was hanging out.

“What’s this your little love letter”  Luke said as he grabbed it out of Taylors pocket before he could grab it.

“I don’t know what it is, should we open it?”

“What are you waiting for” Luke handed back Taylor the letter and everyone crowed Taylor to see what was inside of the envelope.  Ripping the envelope opened a tiny paper fell out of it and slowly floated down to the circled that was perfectly formed by their feet. Taylor picked it up quickly. This was it! This was the moment Taylor waited for all morning. Reading the letter outloud it said.

       Taylor, This letter is not to put you in any kind of danger at all. We would like to think of it as a gift or a responsibility Not only for the future and but the safety of others.

-       Unknown

Taylor stared at the letter.

“Someone’s just trying to mess with your head” Steven said as he took the letter out of his hand and reread it in a girly weak voice. Taylor grabbed the later out of his hand while the rest of them laughed.

“Enough guys! I’m not going to worry about it”

Taylor made his statement to the guys as a joke but he knew that it was becoming a seriously problem.

With a confused look on his face Taylors eyes rolled back into his head.

 “GUYS! I think Taylors going to pass out”

         The bright lights were all Taylor could see when he opened his eyes. The force of his hands felt tight and he felt like the pressure was unbearable to left. “Why am I here” Taylor thought to himself.”

“Who am I” “Where am I” Taylor had no idea where he was or even who he was but all he wanted to figure out was how he got there. Walking up on a what appeared to be a surgery table wasn’t what Taylor experienced ever in his life.

He was in a different room, one he never saw before. Where was here? And why was he there. Did this have to do anything with the note?  The force of his arms started to tighten up. Cringing to get away he knew it wasn’t possible to move.

          

• My group and I  kind of collaborated our ideas, until we all agreed on one topic. This focus seems to be our main focus because I think we could of relate to it. 
  
  
• 11th grade Essential ? - What is the role of the individual in creating and sustaining change? 
  Everyone was given a responsible to get their part of the project done effectively, and the SLA core values seemed to fit will into the process of our individual work that we all provided into a finished completed project.
  
  
• How has your understanding of the electoral process and whether or not the US is a democracy evolved during this unit?
  My understanding has grown better about the whole electoral process. I have learned many things with this benchmark such as how the process of voting is done and how candidates are elected. 
  
  
• How did you decide to best relay a message to a national audience with your marketing campaign?
  My message to make to the audience was done through my campaign ad. Through my AD I tried to get the message out with a simple message and with creative colors and pictures to grab the attention of the audience.

Q: What would you like to see change in our political system?
A: One more party at least, because I think the turn out results would be better.

Q: Do you vote in every election?
A: No, perfect example of change or turn over. Mostly only primary elections do I place my vote in.

Q: Do you know why we vote on Tuesdays?
A: Hmm I used to know why, Let me think! No I don't actually know why.

Q: Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? Radio, TV, print, Internet, other.

A: Presidentially, most commonly I have seen TV campaigning and Ads that are featured on the Internet as well. 

“Where I am from” Poem 

I am from the core of sport centers

    Roars that follow louder then cars

Homes lined up to its twin sharing

the occasional tree that separates the outlook.

I am from the smell of detailed foods.

 As the smells travel throughout the house

Satisfying as it reaches your tongue.

 I am from the couch where my grandfather would sit

  and not one baseball game was missed.

I am from the cold winters and the hot summers

  One night colder or warmer then another.

I am from the wildly celebrated holidays

 That lasted from days on end.

The ones that brought our family closer

And together for remembrance.

I am from the do good

And good things will come to you.

I am from the educated

 And learn new things everyday.

Mr. Block’s copper stream was an excellent year, I feel that I have learned a lot throughout 2010-2011 school year. Even though I had my struggles I pulled through and give it my all to reach my highest learning skills for this class. We learned many wonderful things during this year and the one that I feel I had a better understanding for was the poetry unit. This particular unit made me feel better about expressing my thoughts and feelings into paper. Many of my poems let me express many of my feeling and thoughts.

 My wiki page shows many of my sampled poetry and how I expanded my understanding into many ways of different poetry such an sonnets and many other ways to express yourself. Here is some of the many poetries on my Wiki Poetry page.

The majority of my writings this year, I developed a better understanding of general thoughts and thesis idea. Our first major writing assignment was our Descriptive Writing piece. With this project we learned how to make scenes that are vivid and descriptive; using extensive details and illustrative language; making the scenes easy to “see” in the readers mind.

As part of the Monologue Project, I wrote a play about a young girl that lives in India and struggles with the educational problems that are going on in her country because of the economy and their lack of money. This project gave me a better understanding of how it feels to not be given the educational needs that I am given freely. This assignment improved my skills in research and also in my writing skills as a young play writer. This was a very fun project to work on this year.

Imagine hearing the cries of thousands of animals as you take a big bite of your meal. Ever wonder where the food that many big companies such as McDonalds and Burger King get their meat products. Not many Americans look at the real story behind the process of where their food that they are about to consume comes from. Both you and I know that animal abuse is the last thing that pops up in our heads when we take a big of that nice juicy tender burger. They have to suffer through the neglect and inhumane places where they are held just to provide us with our food.

The blame can’t fall on the factories but also the failure of government regulators to join with the powerful meat industry to help the matters better. The meat industry is morally untenable and often well hidden in modern society behind large advertisements. Sue Coe an artiest that regulates the act of the cruelty to animals through her artwork stated, “We need to educate the public about how ‘food’ is raised. I believe in the goodness of people, and I think people are intelligent enough to make a choice. Open the doors to the slaughterhouses and the factory farms. Let people see how sows are tethered in crates their entire lives, standing on slats or concrete, not enough room to turn around. Pigs, in a natural state, would spend 70% of their ‘waking hours exploring their environment, making nests, rooting in the dirt and socializing” In an interview back in 2005. Since she grew up living next to a slaughterhouse, as a child she saw many terrible actions happening with the animals. Through her visual arts, Coe continues to raise the public’s awareness of the abuse of living things till this day. Through Sue’s work she wants to convey the message of what she saw and felt so many off her views can feel the same way and realize the acts behind what really is happening in these meat industries.