Calm Before the Storm

            For my self-assignment, I revisited the natural light project.  I find this photograph to be strong, sharp, and soft all at the same time.  This image was shot in the upstairs of the Berrie center and the dividers of the window create a symmetrical element to the photograph.  The image is dark but very bright due to the increase in contrast and exposure.  The colors in the image range from black, to dark magenta, light blues, and a bright white.  The clouds make the image look soft yet the colors and the dividers in the window gives this image an edge, and an almost ominous vibe.  Dark clouds usually suggest that a storm is coming and the colors in the clouds in this picture overpowering the light, suggest the same.

Make Me Up

NAlvarez Stop from Nicole Eileen on Vimeo.

My favorite piece is a stop motion video I created and titled, Make Me Up.  I had my sister be my muse for this project and photographed me applying makeup on her face.  I had her stand infront of a plain wall and apply a little bit of makeup after each shot I took.  The entire video is fifty two seconds long and is made up of 300 pictures.  I used a song found on a license free website to complete the video.

Vivid

 

               This piece was a natural light project.  The assignment was to photograph light in any way we wanted and edit the image in photoshop in any way we pleased as well.  The original image was dull and the reflection of the trees in the puddle was not as clear as it is now.  I increased the contrast in the image, making the overall quality of the image appear sharper.  I am pleased with the colors of this image from dark browns and blacks to light browns, whites, blues, and magenta from the sun flare.  The branches in the reflection are sharp and clear and that is what I wanted the main focus of this image to be.

Gradual

Texture Project

            
               This project was the first project assigned to the class in Basic Art and Technology. The first step of the project was to leave the classroom and find a strange object. The object I decided to bring back to class was a fork. Although the class agreed it was not as creatively strange of an object than what everyone else brought back, I believe that a fork is very strange! Most people would disagree because a fork is an object that we use everyday so it is not unusual to look at. After we went over our objects, we had to make marks with our objects on a plain white 8.5" by 11" sheet of paper. I created holes all over the plain white paper and then scanned it in into the computer. Our next step was to edit the scanned in marks on photoshop. I used the quick selection tool to repeat the small marks the holes created. I then copied the a larger selection of the marks and layered them on top of each other while changing the opactities of each layer. I made the top of the image darker and added less layers towards the bottom of the image. I darkened the image so the light marks of the holes were more prominent. I titled it "Gradual" because there is a change in color from dark to light and it changes subtly and gradually.

Artist Statement

My passion for design stems from growing up while technology was growing as well.  My generation has seen clunky walkmen and beepers turn into sleek and stylish accessories we now call iPhones. Like technology, my goal is to make simplistic yet striking pieces of art.  I am a minimalist who designs with very clean and fresh concepts in mind. My work is uncomplicated and simple, like how I like to live my life. In my stop motion piece titled, Make Me Up, my clean, fresh, and minimalistic style is reflected through its composition and the upbeat yet light background music.  My signature style showcases my current lifestyle and past experiences, whether they were happy moments or moments I wish to forget.

My positive outlook on life is reflected in every piece, even the darkest ones.   In my piece titled, Calm Before the Storm, I photographed a large window where light was peeking through dark clouds.  Dark clouds are symbols for gloom, depression, opression, and despair, which gives the audience who is viewing this piece a sense and feeling for bad omen.  Although all of these negative adjectives make up this piece, the light in the image overpowers the dark clouds, giving off a sense of hope.  My message for this is piece is that there is always something positive, even in negative situations.

Sergio Baradat is an artist where I look to for inspiration because his fresh style is very much like mine. As an illustrator and designer, Sergio works to create exceptionally beautiful pieces of art he would like his audience to look at and recognize as his.  Sergio Baradat's work is straightforward which is an aspect I contributed to my piece in this series titled, Gradual.   Gradual mimics the more uncomplicated aspect of my life. The title of this piece simply explains what is going on in the image.  I created marks on paper using a fork then scanned the image to my computer to manipulate it using Photoshop.  The repetition of marks on the page gradually fade as the viewers eye reaches the bottom of the piece.  Gradual, like the rest of my work reflects every aspect of my life I wish to communicate to an audience.

Bio

Hello

My name is Nicole.  I am a graphic and web designer who uses the excuse of wanting to get inspired by the packaging in Whole Foods when I'm really there to buy a cup of their rich and creamy gelato.

I live in the giant bubble of Bergen County called Old Tappan, which fuels my motivation to work hard and move as far away as possible.

I have two sisters, one is two years older than me and the other is two years younger than me (yes, I use middle child syndrome to my full advantage).  I am very close with my sisters and could not imagine my life without the relationship we have.  The three of us share an unhealthy obsession with our dog, Brody, who is the most spoiled yorkie on the face of the earth.

I was raised by two very hard working parents who are the most selfless people I know.  Their love and support is the greatest gift they could have given me, next to Brody, of course. We are a strong Dominican family and strive to remain that way.

Design is easy for me to love because it is everywhere although, the over-usage of Helvetica type makes my blood boil.

CV

NICOLE EILEEN ALVAREZ

188 white Avenue, Old Tappan, NJ 07675

nalvare2@ramapo.edu  |  201.316.3772