KATHRYN TRUSKOVSKY

Blossoming (2022-23)
Kathryn Truskovsky, 15, Waterloo Collegiate Institute
(Mixed Media)

I wanted to make my mask nature-themed and decided to take inspiration from a picture of cherry blossoms on a branch. Using this idea I tried to make the flowers on the mask stand out and contrast against the background. I found this inspiring because of how delicate and pleasant they were to look at.

My thumbnail sketches and multiple-view drawings allowed me to have something to refer to. Having the sketches next to me while I was creating my mask made sure that I could get the shape as accurate as I could in the final piece. I utilized the realistic yet altered design characteristic the most. I chose to focus on this characteristic the most because for my design of the flower branch, changing the facial features wasn’t necessary as I was focusing on the branch. I used form in my mask as the flowers and branches are 3-D and made to be tangible. Another element that I utilized in my mask was colour, I made the majority of it with cool blues but used a brighter warm yellow to make it look more interesting. For the petals of the flowers, before painting and putting on the liquid plaster, I used a pencil to make grooves in them for more realism and texture. Despite the mask not being symmetrical, through making different sizes of flowers across the mask I used balance to make it look more complete and not too heavy or light on any sides. Finally, with making the sky lighter in the middle and the flowers much darker despite both being blue, the contrast further emphasized the flowers as they stood out against the light background.

While the design and shape of the flowers are inspired by cherry blossoms, the colour scheme was inspired by morning glories. These can have blue outsides with yellow insides. I chose this scheme because I liked how the two colours compliment each other. I found success in making the flowers the same as I had planned by cutting out and hot gluing the cardboard shapes to the right places on the mask. Additionally, putting the plaster around them also worked well covering the cardboard completely. I struggled with putting the second and third layers of plaster on smoothly as the water dried up fast. Painting around the flowers was also difficult as there were many small spaces that were hard to fit a paint brush in and paint.

I learned that pre-planning and drawing out my design really helps as a reference. Also, having the creation steps in front of me was helpful to know what to do in what order without missing anything. I would have taken more time to smooth out the plaster strips after placing them to make the mask smoother as sanding it was not very effective.