Alexandria Steffes

1. Look at your college artwork, overall, for repeating themes,

images, treatments, moods,
approaches to color, patterns, messages, types of composition,
etc. What are they? [These shared traits will start to lead you
to what is really you in your work.]
My artwork overall consists of fashion/style in one way or another. It is a
repeating theme that I tried to stay with throughout all mediums. Dress is kind
of my symbol for fashion in classes that I had to hand build things or draw. In
photography fashion is represented by both clothing and people. I like fashion
because it is something that I have grown up surrounded by and something I
began to idolize. It is everywhere and in your face. It is extremely powerful
and persuasive because there is always something new or better. I wanted all
the new trends and I fell for the great marketing/branding advertisements. In
my generation you constantly come across models who are wearing the latest
trends on Instagram, tv commercials, twitter, Facebook, magazines etc, and
you follow them for a reason, you want what they have. In a way there is no
escaping it and so I might as well join in on the obsession. Color plays a big
factor in my art work, as well. I hardly work in black and white and my colors
are usually vibrant.

2. Which 2 works youve done since starting at Adrian are the

strongest? Why? What
do you think makes them strong?
In Ceramics I made a dress. I believe it is one of my strongest pieces because
it represents my love for fashion in a different medium that I typically work in
which is photography and graphic design. It has to do with the human body
which I try to focus on throughout all mediums. I worked hard on coming up
with the design and even added intricate details like lace and flowers.
However, in this work I represented the stereotypical bride with the beautiful
dress and thin shaped body.
Another strong work of mine was my pictograph designs. I created different
pictographs to represent the different seasons. However, my pictographs
involved fashion. To give an example, for Summer I made a design that
involved a summer dress, bikini, flip flops, etc. In the end, I made phone case
covers out of these pictograph designs. This work is what sparked what I
wanted to for my senior show. I now want to use this technique to design a
bedroom. (Comforter, rug, lamps, desk, etc.)
My work some way or another has always dealt with fashion. Ever since I was
little I have always been obsessed with looking through magazines and cutting
out images of the prettiest girls, wearing the prettiest clothing, and wishing
that was me. I fell deep into how society presented women. I was what you
would believe to be a stereotypical women but was unaware of it. Throughout

my college experience I have realized that I was what society perceived as a

typical white girl, or at least I was presenting myself in that manner. I
realized that there is so much more to women than what society portrays
them to be. So, in my artwork I try to bring forth these issues but in a more
cute/subtle way.
3. In one of the works from Question 2, describe the ways in which
you purposefully organized art/design elements. For example, how
are important elements emphasized? Are they organized to aid
viewers in picking out what is important? Or to hide elements that
will surprise viewers on closer examination? Are there other
connections between your use of composition and design and the
content/meaning/intent of your work?
(If you see none, why do you think that is?)
In my pictographs I used both color and objects to represent a particular
season. When viewers look at my designs they should be able to distinguish
easily between the four seasons. I wanted my designs to bring a fun little twist
to the seasons as well as create a cute design that would be enjoyable for any
girl. I tried to stay simple and bold.
With my clay piece I really tried to make a dress that was desirable to the
viewers. I mean when we are growing up, us girls, probably spent time looking
through magazines cutting out the prettiest wedding dresses worn by the
prettiest models ( the typical stereotype). So, with my clay dress I was trying
to represent that same kind of appeal, a slim figure in a pretty wedding dress.
In my chase, this style of wedding dresses is something I dreamt about
wearing as a child.
4. When any of your artworks are weak, what do you think tends to
make them weak, and what do you think could make them stronger?
Lack of time tends to make my artwork weak. If I had more time I would put in
more details and perfect my work. Time management is key to all projects. I
want to create neat, clean, and beautiful designs but when you have time
crunches some of my work falls short of the crispness that I desire. Therefore,
in order to make my work stronger I need to MAKE time.
5. What medium/media do you feel like you have the strongest
connection?
Is your strongest work in this medium? If not, why not?
Right now I have the strongest connection to photography. I am a graphic
design student but I always try to incorporate my photography into my
designs because I love taking pictures so much. Id like to believe that my
strongest work is currently in photography but mainly because I work so much
in this medium. But, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
6. Does the medium you usually choose support the content you
wish to express?

If so, how? If not, how might you make that work?

Currently, I have been working a lot with little drawings/sketches. I scan some
of my simple drawings into the computer and manipulate them on photo shop
to create a surface design. I believe this process supports the content I wish to
express. My work is simple, fun, and bold yet touches base on some
stereotypical issues involving women. I feel like the way I go about presenting
these stereotypes is in a more relaxed manner. My designs have no
restrictions and do not follow societys representation of women. My work
shows that women can do it all, like it all, and make it appear normal, as it
should.
7. How would you like viewers to react to your work? Which pieces
succeed in this, and
how?
I want my viewers to look at my work initially as a cute design. Further, realize
that it is much more that. Moreover, I want them to come to the conclusion
that my work is more than just a design but rather a cute way to deal with
women stereotypes. Maybe my work can bring a sense of empowerment to
women, make them feel like they can do it all. My current work really touches
base on women stereotypes. Basically, all my designs are split into two. First, I
represent the typical stereotypes that are known to women, for example,
designs related to nurses, and then I pair those designs with the complete
opposite subject. In this case, I paired nurse symbols with construction worker
symbols to make a cute design. Women partake in both jobs but society
portrays women to be nurses rather than construction workers. I want my
work to blend together these two separate perceptions and make them one
(equal).
8. What do you want your art to do for you?
Most importantly, I want my art to be different, fun, and desirable. I want to be
in love with my designs and the message they create. I want my art to
continue to change the person that I once was. A person who fell into societys
perception of women. I do not want to be influenced by what society expects
women to look or act. I want my art to show me that I can do anything and it
be acceptable. Why should a girl be called a tomboy if she likes to play
football, fish, or hunt? How does partaking in any of those activities make her
less of a women? These are the types of things I want my art to deal with.
9. Find an artist, designer, or creator of fine crafts who informs or
inspires your work, or one who seems interested in ideas or
techniques that you are. Please pick someone really relevant to your
work, and not simply an artist whose name you know .
TIP: Browsing contemporary art websites is a good way to find living
artists. You can also look at the sites for ARTnews.com,
artinamericamagazine.com, artforum.com, and artnet.com. For media

specific artists, ask your professor for additional resources. Do not

choose artists found in ads; use only those discussed in signed
reviews and articles.
Alternately, look in books in your medium in the library. Once
you have a name, you can search for your artists online.
a) Write this artists name and a date range for the works
created by the artist that you looked at.
Tuesday Bassen.
b) Include a few images of artwork from the artists you choose.
Also include live links
for the images you include and any
links of interest for your artist.

c) Briefly but specifically describe the art you found by this

artist.
Tuesday Bassen creates very bold and sometimes controversial
illustrations. Her work is not scared to go beyond the boundaries. She is
very successful in what she does and gets away with her out there
illustrations. Her work can be found on cards, pins, clothing, bathing
suits, pretty much anything.
d) Explain the connection you feel between this artists work
(or the art typical of this
artists or designers movement or
group) and your own work.
The colors and simplicity of her work is similar to mine. She has a boldness to
her work (with the line strokes) that I try to incorporate in my work. Her
designs are not only cute and fashionable but are also controversial.
Moreover, I also want my work to be more than just a cute design.
10. What would you like to try (subject, style, medium, scale) but
have hesitated to attempt?
Why this? And what has prevented you from trying?
I would like my subjects to be more controversial. I am not much of an out
there person. I usually keep it safe which makes me fail in standing out from
the rest. I think my work would be a lot stronger if they were more
controversial. Its not so much of what has prevented me from trying more so
than not knowing what topics or subjects to represent in this controversial
manner. I think I have a hard time really knowing what I want to express
through my work in general.