Abstract

This is a qualitative inquiry into my journey of learning as an artist and a future art educator. I conducted an art-based research informed by Grame Sullivan's visual arts model of research. I created a body of paintings and (re)visioned four themes: the media and consumerism, beauty, the self and vulnerability, that I have found in other women's artwork. Through my journal entries and the paintings created for this study, I examined the influences of Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Tracey Emin, Karen Kilimnik and Orlan on my work. I place my art into a larger context and I attempt to answer my research question:" What are the implication of body image in my artworks?" The goal of this research was to understand my art making and myself better, to expand my visual vocabulary and to become a more informed art educator.