Aerial Awe

Getting the opportunity to see the migration of monarch butterflies could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. While we are considering the idea of sublime, it made me question what emotions we would feel if I would be able to see this great migration. A giant mass of insects flying to a new home to me would be terrifying but also beautiful in the same sense. During this pandemic I do often catch myself wanting to flee or be able to migrate myself. While I am often a homebody the quarantine reminds me how much I do miss observing people in the world and our interactions. To portray this feeling of sublime, I referenced Jenny Saville’s Self Portrait composition with the figure laying on the ground. I wanted the figure to look clearly distracted, looking away from the viewer in awe, but the reflection still looking at you.

            An asymmetrical balance that occupies more than one third of the space is used to create a strong emphasis on the focal point that is also supported with the use of lines leading into the face. I incorporated light washes of color for the background so the information about the monarchs are still visible and easy to read to influence the viewer to observe the piece a moment longer. Cool tones are used in the background to help the figure come forward with the warm toned skin that is opaque in some places and verges more transparent in others to allow the text to come through but also be too hard to still read. Values anchor the figure into the composition and create the forms in the face with planes of values to help solidify volume of the face. The white magazine page contrasts to the butterfly’s dark lines while also communicating with the white dots in the butterfly’s body and wings that helps create this bouncing movement to lead you into the face.