First Project (Party Animal)

I am fascinated with how people apply human words and characteristics to animals. We often associate animals with words like clever or lazy, and sometimes we apply animalistic characteristics to ourselves or our daily habits. Animals have their own set of behavioral patterns that are needed for survival. They don’t do things just because, nor are they frivolous in their behaviors. I find it kind of comical and that we do this, so in the images I will be pointing towards the humor of that concept.

My images will focus on one animal at a time and will either address a concept or characteristic that could or is contributed to that animal or a phrase that alludes to animals that applies to humans. An example would be squirrels hoarding nuts. Squirrels are really just saving nuts for the winter; a survival instinct that would save them from starving to death in a harsher environment. Hoarding is a word that is akin to greed. Meaning that you are collecting excess amounts of things you don’t need and won’t need in the future. When compared to the squirrels natural survival instinct, it is something much less noble.

My first print, Party Animal, is meant to point back to this concept.  A wolf doesn’t party but they are associated with being wild even though they are organized and intelligent predators.  I feel like it captures my series.

My print series will focus on drawing out all those little comments that we make about ourselves and animals that don’t quite make any sense. In the end, the series should lightheartedly point out our own silliness. Near the end of the process I would like to print the resulting images on t-shirts for my final portfolio.