Nature in a Mask

Title

Nature in a Mask

Description

Hi! My name is Alexa McMullen, and I am a sophomore here at ECU. I am a nursing major in the RIBN program where I am dually enrolled at Pitt Community College and ECU. My interests are soccer, hiking, gardening, hammocking, being outdoors, traveling (pre-COVID-19), makeup/skincare, and spending time with friends and family as well as my dog, Marley. This is actually my first art class I have taken since elementary school. In middle school, I did chorus and in high school I did theater for my art credit. I find art interesting, but I don't think I'm very artistic. I do love to make homemade cards and drawing small doodles.

This was created as an assignment for Susan Ludeke's ART 1910: Art Appreciation course. For my mask, I went to Dollar Tree and bought some leaf bundles that I cut up for my mask as well as my hair pieces. I just used a surgical mask that I used last week for clinical's and super glued six different leaves overlapping each other. I then sprayed hairspray over it and sprinkled some glitter on it. I did this both for my mask and my hair clips. I just used some old hair clips and did the same process as I did for my mask. I also used some of my makeup products to match my greenish nature theme. I love doing makeup but I'm not very good at it yet. For my background, I used a potted plant I have in my house because I thought it made a perfect nature backdrop. I was inspired by my love for being outdoors and the beauty that nature brings to our world, even during this tough time.

My mask is a surgical mask that I have worn for clinical's which makes it protective, but I don't think I would wear it out in public. Some parts of the leaves make it hard to see and with the glue I used it has a very strong smell. If I really wanted to wear it though, I could double mask. I decided to make a nature themed mask because even during the pandemic, you can be outdoors and social distance. It has definitely been a different time having to stay home all the time, except for school but being outdoors with family has made it memorable. It has made me appreciate nature and be thankful for our world and how beautiful it is. Nature provides us with so much as there are so many different activities you can do, from hiking to sitting and watching the clouds. It has kind of been like an escape for me from all of the sadness and change that has overcome our world during this time. I feel like everyone needs a break at times, especially when times get tough. Being outdoors frees the mind and makes us take a moment to enjoy the gifts of life.

I chose to take my photo as if I was lying in a pile of leaves and part of me hidden within it. I used a ring light so I could have adequate lighting and so the glitter on my mask would be visible. I think what makes my photo aesthetically pleasing is the collection of the different shades of green and all the different types of leaves. I also really like how my mask and hair pieces match the backdrop. I think it was creative that I made hair pieces that matched my mask. Overall, I feel like my mask was partially creative but could have definitely added some more elements. My mask photo is unique because it correlates with one of my main interests and has a nature/jungle theme to it. It represents how I am dealing with this time period because it has made me more appreciative, and I have been able to spend a lot of time with my family. It also provides me with a temporary escape from the pandemic as well as school, that gets super overwhelming at times.

Coverage

North Carolina

Creator

McMullen, Alexa

Date

2021-02-01

Item