Page 2: Exploring Trauma and Innocence in Simon's Art

This page focuses on how Jenna Rose Simon's graphite artwork explores the juxtaposition of trauma and innocence, particularly in relation to her past experiences with sexual assault as a child. Simon's work effectively conveys messages and expresses previously avoided topics through intense shadows and psychological scars.

Quote: "Jenna Rose Simon definitely is one of the artists who has stuck out to me the most. I have a deep admiration for her skill in graphite work and the control she gains over her medium."

The artist's technique involves using graphite on paper to create evocative and emotionally layered self-portraits. These pieces depict her past battles with sexual abuse and chronic anorexia, including the psychological scars they have left. Simon's work often incorporates elements of childish innocence, creating a stark contrast with the heavy themes she addresses.

Definition: Chronic anorexia - A long-term eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to severe food restriction.

The page also discusses the artist's use of symbolism and emotional expression to convey strong messages effectively. It highlights Simon's relevance to the topic of "Monsters," particularly in relation to "monsters in the head" and eating disorders.

Highlight: Simon's work often features a white background instead of grey, creating a more desolate environment and referencing the idea of white rooms from "insane asylums."

The artist's storytelling techniques include:

• Using facial expressions to convey emotions • Incorporating hidden symbols and metaphors • Employing contrasts between dark stories and lighter visual elements • Adding color (with colored pencils) to emphasize certain aspects of the image

Page 3: Combining Influences and Exploring Artistic Techniques

This page examines the process of combining influences from Jenna Rose Simon's graphite artwork with elements from other artists, such as Michael M. Hensley's hand depictions. The goal is to create a piece that symbolizes the struggle between a victim and an abuser, incorporating themes of control, distress, and false affection.

The artist experiments with various poses and compositions, focusing on creating a portrait inspired by Jenna Rose Simon's style. The main elements of the planned piece include:

• A portrait of a scared, distressed victim (inspired by Simon's work) • Hands symbolizing an "evil" figure grasping for control (inspired by Hensley) • Facial expressions conveying worry, stress, and frustration

Example: The artist explores different hand positions, such as a firm grip or a two-hand grasp, to represent the abuser's control and false affection.

The page discusses the importance of building a connection with the viewer, aiming to evoke strong emotions such as sympathy, concern, and empathy. Specific artistic techniques are mentioned, including:

• Using furrowed and narrowed eyebrows to convey confusion and stress • Depicting messy hair to show distress • Employing a tight grip in hand positions to represent control and dominance

Vocabulary: Gaslighting - A form of psychological manipulation in which a person or group causes someone to question their own sanity, memories, or perception of reality.

The artist considers various options for the final piece, including:

• Incorporating elements related to eating disorders and "monsters in the head" • Exploring different angles and poses to convey force and control • Using graphite or pencil techniques inspired by Jenna Rose Simon's style

Highlight: The artist emphasizes the importance of direct eye contact with the viewer in the portrait, as looking away can portray fear and further build the character's emotional state.

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Page 1: Jenna Rose Simon's Artistic Approach

This page delves into the overall artistic approach of Jenna Rose Simon's graphite artwork. Simon's work focuses on portraying monsters from a child's perspective, emphasizing the victim's reaction rather than the actual monster. She employs a passive approach to depicting monsters, often incorporating words into her art pieces to convey deeper, metaphorical meanings.

Simon primarily works with graphite, occasionally using colored pencils to create realistic textures and metaphorical restraints. Her use of darker backgrounds makes the subject stand out more, creating a powerful atmosphere. The artist pays particular attention to detailed facial expressions, implying raw emotion in her drawn subjects.

Highlight: Simon's art often addresses themes such as PTSD, brain disorders, and the concept of "monsters in the head."

The page also explores Simon's focus on eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia, as well as her portrayal of surrealism through realistic human expressions and pristine detail in human features. Simon often uses herself as a reference, engaging in autobiographical storytelling to convey deeper messages.

Vocabulary: Graphite - A form of carbon used as a drawing medium, known for its versatility in creating various tones and textures.

Simon's artwork touches on various psychological and emotional themes, including:

• PTSD and re-living trauma • Oppression and domestic abuse • Depression and suicide ideation • Body dysmorphia • The battle with chronic anorexia

Example: Simon's use of "no face" in some pieces represents a loss of identity, while her attention to detail in hands and faces conveys intense emotions.