Sustained Investigation Series
My sustained investigation follows the question , "What makes humans Human?" I wanted to explore the traits and behaviors that set humans apart from the rest of the nature/animal kingdom. My pieces cover lying, clothing, piercing, use of tools, contradicting evolution, the measurement of time, surgery, and the creation/control of fire.
"Charleston" | 18" x 24" | Oil paint | This painting is the first of many of a series that shows behaviors and traits that are specific to humans. In this piece, I wanted to demonstrate the human ability to create and control fire.
"Tools" | 8" x 8" | Colored pencils on black paper
"Against Evolution" | 10" x 10" | Oil paint
"Piercings" | 9" x 12" | Oil paint
"Surgery" | 12" x 9" | Oil paint
"Clothing" | 9" x 9" | Oil paint
"Lying" | 14" x 16" | Oil paint
“Phone Call” | 12” x 18” | Oil paint
Process Development for Sustained Investigation
Additional Artworks
"You Are Not Immune to Propaganda" | 24" x 18" | Mixed-media collage | This artwork represents fear and how fear changes as we age. I was inspired by my childhood fear of Santa Clause, who symbolizes innocence in this work.
“Anabella” | 11” x 11" | Acrylic paint on acrylic paper | This is a simple portrait of a friend. In this piece, I attempted to capture her kind and warm nature.
“Grandma” | 8” x 12" | Watercolor | This painting was inspired by a picture of my grandma. I wanted to convey her calm persona with the cooler colors, particularly in her jacket. The green in the background is meant to indicate her love of nature.
“Peightyhnn” | 18” x 24" | Acrylic and gel medium on cardboard | I wanted to portray depression in young minds by creating a chaotic background that starkly contrasts the board. I also wanted to show the sadness in the boy’s eyes.
“Time of Death” | 9” x 18" | Colored pencil and gel pen on black paper | In this drawing, I wanted to show the greed of human nature.
“Through Different Eyes” | 9” x 9" | Colored pencil and watercolor | I used colors more commonly seen by human eyes in the smaller sections and colors that weren't realistic in the larger sections. I wanted to convey the ways different people can see something and how some people are able to see a different story with their imagination.
“New Orleans” | 9” x 12" | Micron Pen on watercolor paper | This drawing is meant to capture the liveliness of the city of New Orleans. Despite the lack of color or many other people in the image, I think that it shows a spirited mood.
“Moonlight” | 9” x 9" | Acrylic on acrylic paper | I wanted to show the superstition of a full moon's effect on people. My mom always says that people act crazy when there is a full moon. I wanted to convey the difference in behavior by creating sharp shadows on the girl’s face.
“Vienna, Sausage” | 18” x 10” | Watercolor and micron pen
“Statues” | 18” x 12” | Acrylic
Follow my Instagram: @rockoutbecrazy
Artist website: https://akmaxwellart.weebly.com/
Artist website: https://akmaxwellart.weebly.com/