Project 4 Reflection: Visual Poetry

The Haiku that I chose for this project:

The grass bending
Waves to the rhythm
Of the October wind
-Kigin
In Progress Reflection Questions to Consider
My first response to this Haiku like most people was a visual response. I loved the
sounds of the words as I said them aloud and they inspired my thinking.
I felt that the poem was about acknowledgement, a giving in to, resolution or
understanding of things, the natural world, birth, life and death, more appropriately the
cycle of life. However, after spending time working on this project and reflection I think
that perhaps it could also be about acceptance of all thing in our lives, things of which we
have no control. Destiny or fate? Its meaning or interpretation will change from one
individual to another.
As instructed I paid attention to the season, underlying theme and what this poem said to
me or meant to me. I thought about the shape of my design, format and empty space.
I wanted to stay away from anything literal and go for something totally abstract, keeping
in mind texture, color and line to convey my image, composition. Thickness or density
of color, direction of line, overlapping. I want to incorporate all of these elements. Also,
I am using materials that I am not too familiar with but my choices will allow for strength
of color and great opacity which will be important to my design. I want the viewer to
view my design in a story telling manner (3 lines = 3 panels) so I will use a triptych
format. Three square panels cohesive but complete individually as well.
Color will be important and will approach my panels intuitively at the outset and
incorporate design principles shortly after, before getting too involved in the creative
fun part.
What is going well? Where am I having problems?
What questions do I have that would help complete this project successfully?
Attempted my project in a triptych format. Felt as though beyond the challenge of
understanding the medium (pastel, acrylic, and stabilo), my panels are not as cohesive as
I would have liked. Will change to a single panel in a rectangular format. Also, I am still
more literal/representational than I would have liked to be and having a few color issues.
Since my process is bringing my composition up and tearing it down, covering and
revealing things, I am optimistic that I will be able to resolve the color issues.

Final Thoughts
After a number of compositions, and a lot of disappointment, I pushed forward and
decided to start at the beginning.
I decided to use the design idea I had when I first read the Haiku and .thought that I was
too premature in my decision. I read the Haiku again and it became clearer to me that
this was the design I would use.
A single picture frame surrounded by a great expanse of negative space.
The Haiku to me is one of the simplest forms of poetry simple in its structure, straight
forward- and short- but very simple, and that is why it is so beautiful it can say so much
and its message so provocative and will vary from one individual to another. For this
reason I decided to convey this simplicity in this project minimal color minimal
imagery to mimic the simplicity of the Haiku.
I wanted the viewer to look at my design and inspire some introspection, to allow for and
attempt an emotional response. The colors are subdued and there is movement in the
image without it being harsh more restful and quiet , contemplative perhaps. There is a
sense of foreground and there is recession as well. The project consists of 2 panels, one
smaller mounted on a larger solid color background to pull the viewer into the picture but
allow and push forward the sense of an open composition, promote introspection or pause
from the viewer.
While I am not happy with the Craftsmanship of the text (I would have preferred this
project/image without the text), this is partly due to not enough knowledge/skill to
execute the method I employed. Overall, I am pleased with my design. This project was
most challenging but what a journey!