Shane Billingslea
I am a fan of anything and everything apocalyptic. The idea of the world ending, and its inhabitants trying to survive in the dystopian remains of it is a very cool concept to me. So, I've decided to make that my art theme. While not all of my projects will follow this theme, most of them will. You can see my work here, as they go through progressive stages, up to completion. Enjoy.
ERASER DRAWING
This represents the lost innocence of the apocalypse. How a child's plaything can be found among miserable ruins, in the same place as a tool used for survival and death.
(Finished)
This represents the lost innocence of the apocalypse. How a child's plaything can be found among miserable ruins, in the same place as a tool used for survival and death.
(Finished)
Self-Portrait Collage
My hand reaches from the box that is the Earth we live on and is reaching for knowledge about the universe beyond it.
(Unfinished)
My hand reaches from the box that is the Earth we live on and is reaching for knowledge about the universe beyond it.
(Unfinished)
Self-Portrait Collage
(Unfinished)
(Unfinished)
Self-Portrait Collage
Voila! She is complete.
(Finished)
Voila! She is complete.
(Finished)
Clay Animation
The backdrop for my animation. A simple American city with tall buildings and an average sized road. Made from cardboard, hot glue, and acrylic paint. For some reason, it's one of China's prank targets.
The backdrop for my animation. A simple American city with tall buildings and an average sized road. Made from cardboard, hot glue, and acrylic paint. For some reason, it's one of China's prank targets.
Clay Animation
The fake atomic bomb that the Chinese plane will drop on the unsuspecting city. Made of clay, the main part of the bomb was hand-molded, while I cut the "propeller thing at the back" (for lack of better words) into a square shape with an x-acto knife.
The fake atomic bomb that the Chinese plane will drop on the unsuspecting city. Made of clay, the main part of the bomb was hand-molded, while I cut the "propeller thing at the back" (for lack of better words) into a square shape with an x-acto knife.
Clay Animation
Here's our buddy, Greg. A simple Caucasian citizen who's also a little slow. I gave him a very simplistic wireframe and did the basics: Head, arms, hands, legs, and feet. He'll be the only citizen present at the time and place of the bombing. Naturally, he freaks out at the sight, but then realizes the bomb didn't explode and becomes curious about it.
Here's our buddy, Greg. A simple Caucasian citizen who's also a little slow. I gave him a very simplistic wireframe and did the basics: Head, arms, hands, legs, and feet. He'll be the only citizen present at the time and place of the bombing. Naturally, he freaks out at the sight, but then realizes the bomb didn't explode and becomes curious about it.
Clay Animation
Rather than a complex arrangement of highly explosive nuclear fission reactants, this little flag is all that the atomic bomb contains. A mimicry of the classic "gun with a bang flag" trick, the Chinese thought it would be funny to have one of these pop out of their false bomb to further startle the Americans. However, Greg ended up being the only victim of their cruel joke.
Rather than a complex arrangement of highly explosive nuclear fission reactants, this little flag is all that the atomic bomb contains. A mimicry of the classic "gun with a bang flag" trick, the Chinese thought it would be funny to have one of these pop out of their false bomb to further startle the Americans. However, Greg ended up being the only victim of their cruel joke.
Clay Animation
The piece de resistance. The Chinese bomber aircraft that started it all. Completely hand-molded, I even put a crude Chinese flag emblem on each wing for authenticity. During the animation, I had this suspended by fishing wire as it eased its way across the top of the frame, dropping the bomb about halfway through.
The piece de resistance. The Chinese bomber aircraft that started it all. Completely hand-molded, I even put a crude Chinese flag emblem on each wing for authenticity. During the animation, I had this suspended by fishing wire as it eased its way across the top of the frame, dropping the bomb about halfway through.
Paint Reduction Self-Portrait
The x-acto knife I used to scrape away the paint on my canvas.
The x-acto knife I used to scrape away the paint on my canvas.
Paint Reduction Self-Portrait
The photo taken of me before we started the project. This was my reference throughout the work.
The photo taken of me before we started the project. This was my reference throughout the work.
Paint Reduction Self-Portrait
My white colored pencil drawing of the picture of me. Pretty close.
My white colored pencil drawing of the picture of me. Pretty close.
Paint Reduction Self-Portrait
The finished product. Dried paint caused me to use a knife to scrape it away rather than rubbing it off with Q-tips. I think it actually turned out pretty good.
The finished product. Dried paint caused me to use a knife to scrape it away rather than rubbing it off with Q-tips. I think it actually turned out pretty good.
Exquisite Corpse
The rough sketch of my exquisite corpse idea. A tree rooted to the ground and morphing into a destructive mushroom cloud as it goes up represents life leading into death. The two small flowers are ideas I took from my partner, Shelby.
The rough sketch of my exquisite corpse idea. A tree rooted to the ground and morphing into a destructive mushroom cloud as it goes up represents life leading into death. The two small flowers are ideas I took from my partner, Shelby.
Exquisite Corpse
My actual project in its early stage. I still need to add a few elements to it, then I'll color it using oil pastels.
My actual project in its early stage. I still need to add a few elements to it, then I'll color it using oil pastels.
Exquisite Corpse
Just started coloring it. Using colored pencils. Oil pastels aren't precise enough and watercolor looks too washed out.
Just started coloring it. Using colored pencils. Oil pastels aren't precise enough and watercolor looks too washed out.
CERAMICS / SCULPTURE
Modular cardboard
With this project, I cut out 14 semi-pacman, semi-fire flower shapes. I put four notches in each. I was surprised that the notches held the cutouts in place. I thought they would be either to small or too big. But ultimately, it worked out. I placed the shapes in 3 different orders and took pictures of each. I really enjoyed this project. it was enjoyable, simple, and didn't take very long.
With this project, I cut out 14 semi-pacman, semi-fire flower shapes. I put four notches in each. I was surprised that the notches held the cutouts in place. I thought they would be either to small or too big. But ultimately, it worked out. I placed the shapes in 3 different orders and took pictures of each. I really enjoyed this project. it was enjoyable, simple, and didn't take very long.
Biomorphic Sculpture
With this, I wanted a nonobjective shape with a tiny bit of sense and slight pattern to it. So I made both sides of the sculpture have a weird little slope thing at the end. Coming up from between the two slopes is that point thing that kind of resembles a foot. Not intended. As for painting, I've always thought transition/fade effects look really cool, especially when warm colors are used to make it stand out. So I did just that. Red base, orange middle, yellow top.
With this, I wanted a nonobjective shape with a tiny bit of sense and slight pattern to it. So I made both sides of the sculpture have a weird little slope thing at the end. Coming up from between the two slopes is that point thing that kind of resembles a foot. Not intended. As for painting, I've always thought transition/fade effects look really cool, especially when warm colors are used to make it stand out. So I did just that. Red base, orange middle, yellow top.
Continuous wire sculpture
I decided to use my hero, Kokopelli, god of fertility (in crops) for this project. It was tough shaping him out twice, but I got it done. Then, just have something else going on in the sculpture, I added a fire. Kokopelli is known for his love for traditional music and dancing, so both Kokopellis are dancing and playing their horns around the roaring fire in celebration of a good harvest season.
I decided to use my hero, Kokopelli, god of fertility (in crops) for this project. It was tough shaping him out twice, but I got it done. Then, just have something else going on in the sculpture, I added a fire. Kokopelli is known for his love for traditional music and dancing, so both Kokopellis are dancing and playing their horns around the roaring fire in celebration of a good harvest season.
Nevilleson Assemblage
This project's style was inspired by a well-known artist. It is basically a collage of wood pieces. Many of them I carved or altered to fit my project. I painted it indigo. My theme was to make it resemble a really futuristic utopian city where the building are no longer straight and blocky, but spontaneously curving and sloping every which way. The city is complete with about 6 buildings, all matching this "curves and points" theme. It also has a river flowing beneath the bridge part. I really enjoyed this. Especially being able to cut the wood to my liking. I was able to create any shape and structure I wanted, and make it all fit together. This project was pretty fun.
This project's style was inspired by a well-known artist. It is basically a collage of wood pieces. Many of them I carved or altered to fit my project. I painted it indigo. My theme was to make it resemble a really futuristic utopian city where the building are no longer straight and blocky, but spontaneously curving and sloping every which way. The city is complete with about 6 buildings, all matching this "curves and points" theme. It also has a river flowing beneath the bridge part. I really enjoyed this. Especially being able to cut the wood to my liking. I was able to create any shape and structure I wanted, and make it all fit together. This project was pretty fun.
Plaster carving
With this project, i was to carve an abstract or oblong figure out of plaster. I decided to go with a gas mask strapped to a bust. Making the plaster was interesting. It was a messy job, but it was cool seeing how it worked. Mixing it around and letting it dry. I noticed it was a lot softer at first and it dried over time. As it dried, it became more brittle and hard. This made it harder to carve as time went on. I made one eye bigger than the other to add that abstract effect.
With this project, i was to carve an abstract or oblong figure out of plaster. I decided to go with a gas mask strapped to a bust. Making the plaster was interesting. It was a messy job, but it was cool seeing how it worked. Mixing it around and letting it dry. I noticed it was a lot softer at first and it dried over time. As it dried, it became more brittle and hard. This made it harder to carve as time went on. I made one eye bigger than the other to add that abstract effect.
Clock
I decided to go with the traditional pocket watch. Nobody uses them anymore and I think they're pretty classy and cool. So, I went with total simplicity and just made one out of clay. I planned to attach a chain to it to make it more authentic, but... meh. Anyway, glazing it was pretty straight-forward. I just applied the colors and voila. Nothing too complicated.
I decided to go with the traditional pocket watch. Nobody uses them anymore and I think they're pretty classy and cool. So, I went with total simplicity and just made one out of clay. I planned to attach a chain to it to make it more authentic, but... meh. Anyway, glazing it was pretty straight-forward. I just applied the colors and voila. Nothing too complicated.
Mask
I went for an abstract Modigliani look. The elongated face was intentional. I went with monsoon sea for the eyes and tear. It sort of represents false happiness. One side is faking jubilation while the other portrays the actual inner sadness of the face.
I went for an abstract Modigliani look. The elongated face was intentional. I went with monsoon sea for the eyes and tear. It sort of represents false happiness. One side is faking jubilation while the other portrays the actual inner sadness of the face.
Sushi plate
With my technology theme, i made my plate resemble a sort of micro-chip/circuit-board thing. The green dots contain 0's and 1's to resemble binary code. Black and green make it look more futuristic. Two of the corners opposite each other are parallel because... it just looks cool.
With my technology theme, i made my plate resemble a sort of micro-chip/circuit-board thing. The green dots contain 0's and 1's to resemble binary code. Black and green make it look more futuristic. Two of the corners opposite each other are parallel because... it just looks cool.
Sushi bowl
My bowl is supposed to resemble old, rusty metal. While my plate is supposed to look high-tech, the bowl is supposed to look junky and scrapped. So they represent two different aspects of technology: the new and innovative, and the old and obsolete. Also, eating rice out of it was pretty cool. I felt proud to be using one of my own creations.
My bowl is supposed to resemble old, rusty metal. While my plate is supposed to look high-tech, the bowl is supposed to look junky and scrapped. So they represent two different aspects of technology: the new and innovative, and the old and obsolete. Also, eating rice out of it was pretty cool. I felt proud to be using one of my own creations.