Happy - खुश (Khush)
30.48 cm X 30.48 cm Acrylic on canvas September 2016 The piece was intended to portray a positive emotion to the audience through a different culture that the artist was not familiar with. Henna designs are highly utilized for weddings as a symbol of happiness, joy, and lasting love for a couple. |
Research
Henna is an artistic way that has been accomplished for over 5,000 years in different countries. Some of the countries consist of Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. Henna is not worn in certain people, the poor and the rich both wear it in occasions. Henna is a flowering plant that grow approximately 12-15 feet high and comes from the sole species of the Lawsonia genus. The name "henna" also is referred to the dye created from the henna plant and the temporary tattooing. The henna plant contains Lawsone, which is a reddish-orange dye that binds to a protein in the skin and safely marks the skin. Henna works on all type of colored skins.
Henna is an artistic way that has been accomplished for over 5,000 years in different countries. Some of the countries consist of Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. Henna is not worn in certain people, the poor and the rich both wear it in occasions. Henna is a flowering plant that grow approximately 12-15 feet high and comes from the sole species of the Lawsonia genus. The name "henna" also is referred to the dye created from the henna plant and the temporary tattooing. The henna plant contains Lawsone, which is a reddish-orange dye that binds to a protein in the skin and safely marks the skin. Henna works on all type of colored skins.
Cultural Inspiration
Henna is utilized for many different occasion such as holidays, birthdays, and weddings in: Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. The most popular tradition is called Mehndi (henna) Night. The Mehndi Night is where the bride, her family, relatives, and friends gather to celebrate the upcoming celebration. The Night consists of many fun things like music, games and dance routines they themselves have rehearsed. During the celebration the bride gets extensive henna patterns all over her body. It may take up a few hours to complete the patterns, therefore more than one artist works on the designs. Tradition claims that the bride doesn't have to do any housework unless all her henna comes out. Also it claims that the darker the stain, the better mother-in-law the bride will receive. |
Meaning behind piece
One of the most popular henna designs consist of flowers. Flowers symbolize happiness and joy. This particular piece was created to reflect happiness as the title of the piece also demonstrates. Henna patterns are mostly used for weddings, a wedding is a symbol of happiness for the two people that are going to get marry. I highly enjoy learning about other cultures which is why I decided to choose a distinct culture for this piece. The artwork consists of a moon. The henna moon designs have a few meanings to it. The moon design embodies the lasting love for two people, the positive power of change, protection, and health. All the things that the moon indicates have a connection to happiness. Love is a strong feeling that makes a couple be successful in their relationship. Also having a positive change is always good, containing and releasing good vibes is always satisfying.
Happy was intended to portray a positive view and portray a cheerful emotion. Many of the things planned in life do not turn out as one plans them, therefore one must be prepared for anything. The meaning behind the piece overall is to be happy no matter what.
One of the most popular henna designs consist of flowers. Flowers symbolize happiness and joy. This particular piece was created to reflect happiness as the title of the piece also demonstrates. Henna patterns are mostly used for weddings, a wedding is a symbol of happiness for the two people that are going to get marry. I highly enjoy learning about other cultures which is why I decided to choose a distinct culture for this piece. The artwork consists of a moon. The henna moon designs have a few meanings to it. The moon design embodies the lasting love for two people, the positive power of change, protection, and health. All the things that the moon indicates have a connection to happiness. Love is a strong feeling that makes a couple be successful in their relationship. Also having a positive change is always good, containing and releasing good vibes is always satisfying.
Happy was intended to portray a positive view and portray a cheerful emotion. Many of the things planned in life do not turn out as one plans them, therefore one must be prepared for anything. The meaning behind the piece overall is to be happy no matter what.
Process
1. Brainstorming
Medium? Acrylic on canvas
Inspiration? Another culture (India? Pakistan? Africa? France?)
Why another culture? I like learning about new cultures and customs therefore a culture i've always been intersted in ever since I was a kid was India.
Medium? Acrylic on canvas
Inspiration? Another culture (India? Pakistan? Africa? France?)
Why another culture? I like learning about new cultures and customs therefore a culture i've always been intersted in ever since I was a kid was India.
2. Sketches
3. Steps to final step
Experimentation
With this piece I experimented my artistic techniques in the form of using a different type of brushes. For this piece I utilized much thinner brushes since the painting involved a lot of small detail. Back to sophomore year we worked on four distict pieces that involved extreme small detailed therefore what I learned that year I incoorporated with this particular piece.
Reflection
This has been one of my favorite pieces this semester since I incoorporated another culture (India) to my art work. I have always been intersted in a variety of cultures and this piece helped me develop the things I am intersted in. Not only did it help me portray how I can reflect the new things I learn to art but my knowledge as an open-minded individual increased as well.
I've worked with acrylic on canvas various times now, which helped me with my artistic techquines since I know what to do and what not to do. This time I had to work with a much thiner brush than usual, due to the detail in the painting. It took alot more time since I had to be very careful with each brushstroke. Overall I was successful since I created what I wanted to show to my audience. One of the hardest things of this painting was making the acrylic stand out since the products I utilized weren't the best. I had to go over the brushstorkes about five times, otherwise the paint was too light and transparent.
I've worked with acrylic on canvas various times now, which helped me with my artistic techquines since I know what to do and what not to do. This time I had to work with a much thiner brush than usual, due to the detail in the painting. It took alot more time since I had to be very careful with each brushstroke. Overall I was successful since I created what I wanted to show to my audience. One of the hardest things of this painting was making the acrylic stand out since the products I utilized weren't the best. I had to go over the brushstorkes about five times, otherwise the paint was too light and transparent.
ACT Questions
1. The relationship between my inspiration and actual piece is the fact Indian Culture is being displayed through "Happy." This piece was inspired by the Indian culture therefore I wanted to make it obvious with the moon and flowers.
2. The overall point of view towards Henna, is to symbolize fun and joy. A bride and her friends get it done the day before the wedding at the bride's party. Each design had a symbol towards it, in this case the moon symbolizes the union of two people when they get married and the flowers show happiness.
3. The generalizations I found were that people think Henna is only used in India when it reality it is even used in Africa. This piece expanded my mind in knowledge towards Indian Culture.
4. My central idea was world culture and how it can applied on a canvas. I always thought Henna was very nice and therefore I knew right away I wanted to work on it somehow.
5. I got to learn where Henna is made off and what it symbolizes. I must admit it was fun/exciting learning about a new culture since the Indian culture is distinct from my Mexican culture.
2. The overall point of view towards Henna, is to symbolize fun and joy. A bride and her friends get it done the day before the wedding at the bride's party. Each design had a symbol towards it, in this case the moon symbolizes the union of two people when they get married and the flowers show happiness.
3. The generalizations I found were that people think Henna is only used in India when it reality it is even used in Africa. This piece expanded my mind in knowledge towards Indian Culture.
4. My central idea was world culture and how it can applied on a canvas. I always thought Henna was very nice and therefore I knew right away I wanted to work on it somehow.
5. I got to learn where Henna is made off and what it symbolizes. I must admit it was fun/exciting learning about a new culture since the Indian culture is distinct from my Mexican culture.
Citations
http://silknstone.com/About-Henna.html
http://www.fashionlady.in/indian-henna-designs-unfold-deeper-meanings-significances/13903
http://dict.hinkhoj.com/khush-meaning-in-english.words
http://silknstone.com/About-Henna.html
http://www.fashionlady.in/indian-henna-designs-unfold-deeper-meanings-significances/13903
http://dict.hinkhoj.com/khush-meaning-in-english.words