Bennett's Studio

Although Appleton’s storefronts fill College Ave with color, I found the alley behind them to be more appealing with their more subtle but unique splashes of purple and turquoise. I tried to tie the images together by focusing on doorways, separates from their respective buildings. In the image of the garage with the moped, the hint of red on the scooter draws the viewer’s eye into the otherwise cluttered garage, and creates narrative possibilities. I was drawn to the alley doors because of their vibrancy despite being tucked away in a back alley without many passerby. To me, color represents personal expression. The addition of the “Charles the Florist” sign in the first photo further personified the image and associates the purple color and bright tones of the flowers with Charles and his business. In the last photo, darker blotches of green represent past graffiti or logos. instagram link: instagram.com/bennetts_artjournal

I found the rhythm component of this assignment to be challenging but eye-opening. I don't think we often think of rhythm visually, so it was an interesting exercise to try to capture it with a camera. I settled on a group of 3 similarly built sedans that formed a repeating image. Facing a blank stonewall, it almost looks like a scene from a drive-in movie theater. The photograph demonstrates the idea presented in Lupton-Phillips that variations to an established rhythm provoke visual interest. The car on the left is unevenly spaced compared to the center and right cars, which adds an imperfect dynamic to the image.  It was easier to find texture while I was out taking photos, and the rusted tailgate of a 1950s era Studebaker pickup truck provided weathered and rusted texture that almost concealed the Studebaker name. Focusing on capturing texture provided the opportunity to appreciate the decades of wear and the design details on the truck.  The social media link for the imag...

My search for point, line and plane led me down the street to the cat hedral near my apartment in Appleton. Maybe it's because my dad is an architect, but I've always been drawn to photographing buildings and the spaces they inhabit. The cathedral and the buildings around it are faded and worn, but majestic and anchored in their rich history. I think my photographs connect with Francis Alÿs' explorations of humans and their built environment. This assignment helped me develop a stronger connection with my neighborhood and the city, something that had been missing while living on campus for the past 3 years. Altho ugh my apartment is close to campus, the area has few students, so it's harder to feel completely at home. Taking these images helped me appreciate the craftsmanship and community pride that those who lived here in the past had cultivated . Social media link for these images:  bennetts_artjournal

I'm used to introducing myself as a musician, but not so much as a visual artist. I'll start with the basics. My name is Bennett Gabriel, and I'm a current senior at Lawrence studying trombone performance with a French minor. After taking only classes in music and French at Lawrence, I'm excited to get back into the discipline of art that I've lost touch with in college. I've lived in Madison, WI my whole life, though I still enjoy exploring the city like a tourist when I'm home for breaks. I like to approach art with a strong sense of place and the human environment, and preferably through a camera lens. I've attached images I've taken that resonate with my personal sense of place. Me During the past couple weeks, I've been isolating in my apartment in Appleton after catching Covid-19. I normally enjoy getting outside almost every day for long bike rides or walks, and the confinement with only a few minutes a day on our rooftop was unbearable. T...