Stephanie Dotson Critical Thinking Sample

Stephanie Dotson is currently based in California. She decided to settle in the area since her work, as a professor, requires her to be near the vicinity of Santa Barbara, California. The place is also home to several young artist, which derives their inspiration from the weather and landscape. Dotson earned her BFA degree in Kansas City Art Institute in 2000 while majoring in printmaking. She continued her studies and finished her Master’s degree in Fine Arts major in printmaking at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Aside from being an artist and printmaker, she earns a living by teaching as a printmaking professor at the Santa Barbara City College. Through teaching, she managed to incorporate her experience in making print works. Her classes are on schedule, which allows her some time to for her work since she does not have to be in the school all the time.
Even though she majored in printmaking, her works reflect a combination of different mediums from wood to crepe paper. Her outside experience is captured in her work through the action and movement of the lines and shapes in the installation. The dynamic combination of different layers has proven various emotions on the work. Some installations are built on walls, as it extends downwards on the floor. Additionally, her artworks represent personal adventures through the production of organic shapes and lines and their personal symbolic meanings.
The first theme that was addressed by the Dotson in her works includes the use of traditional media and digital media. Being a contemporary artist, she managed to bridge the two method of art production and molded them together. Another theme presented by the artist is the idea of dynamics and action. She stresses the importance of action in her works, as it associates with the energy and the vibrancy of the artist.
One of the things that the lecturer talked about is her penchant for colors. Having a background in printmaking, she encourages fellow artists and art enthusiasts to create a positive environment in order to promote the use of colors. On my end, I appreciate her ability to create color combination using different materials and not only using traditional mediums. Secondly, she talked about her background in printmaking as a tool to reach wider audience. I agree with Dotson as she stresses the importance of the business by attracting more viewer in such a way that the artwork would be relevant. Lastly, Dotson managed to inculcate the perseverance of an artist through adapting and evolving. As a contemporary artist, she needs to be in tuned with technology, which is present in most of her works.
Personally, I find Dotson’s artworks to be interesting. She combines different materials in order to produce three-dimensional pieces, which referenced to different natural forms in the landscape. It acquires the intrinsic ability of viewers to be surprised in her installation. In addition, the use of different materials is effective in developing different art elements.