BLAKELEY READ

Ms. Perfect (2022-23)
Blakeley Read, 15, Waterloo Collegiate Institute
(Media)

I was inspired by people. I see a lot of people covering their insecurities or trying to make them blend in. From my thumbnail sketches, I planned on making the plastic on my mask sit on top of it and not lay on it so you could see the features, so that helped me decide early on what I was going to do with the material that I had.

I used abstraction mostly. The whole mask is abstract and stylized. I focused on abstraction the most because every abstract piece is different just like humans. I used many elements and principles but mainly colour, shape and texture. I used all bright colours to make it stand out and so there wasn't one specific spot you were looking at for too long. I used different mediums to make it more asymmetrical and interesting. I chose the colours that I did so the whole mask would stand out and not one particular part.

I found success in the meaning. I think that the meaning is very important and once you know what it means the mask is better. I struggled to try to utilize the plastic. It was so hard to work without paper underneath. I learned pretty much everything because I knew nothing going into this but the biggest thing I learned was to take your time.

Abstract, one of a kind, beautiful. Representing everyone, every single person. Everyone has insecurities whether it be, having facial hair, bushy or uneven eyebrows, texture on your skin, eyebags or really anything. People try to cover those up or try to distract people from them. This mask represents you, me, and every other person. It's not perfect at all but it's still beautiful and everyone else sees that and not its imperfection. You don't see how beautiful your insecurities are so embrace them and don't let your mind bully your body.