Noah Saterstrom is an American artist whose works explore themes of memory, family,

aging, and childhood. His art often reflects a deep engagement with history and the passage
of time, merging personal narrative with collective memory. Saterstrom's paintings are
characterized by a dreamlike quality, where figures and landscapes blur into each other,
evoking a sense of impermanence and nostalgia.

Description of "Mount Locust"

"Mount Locust" is one of Saterstrom’s notable works that encapsulates his style and thematic
concerns. The painting depicts a dilapidated plantation house in Mississippi, surrounded by
an overgrown and chaotic landscape. The structure appears to be both crumbling and
enduring, symbolizing the passage of time and the fragility of memory. The house is
rendered in muted earth tones with rough brushstrokes, giving it a ghostly, almost skeletal
appearance. This creates a sense of decay and abandonment, reflecting themes of aging
and the remnants of history.

The overgrown vegetation that surrounds the house seems to encroach upon the structure,
almost swallowing it whole. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for the unstoppable
passage of time and nature’s reclaiming of what was once man-made. The lack of human
presence in the painting further emphasizes themes of loss and the inevitable erasure of
personal and collective histories. Saterstrom uses a palette dominated by browns, greens,
and grays, which enhances the somber, reflective mood of the piece.

Exploration of Themes: Aging, Family, and Childhood

Saterstrom's work often reflects on the themes of aging, family, and childhood, which are
evident in "Mount Locust." The decaying plantation house can be seen as a representation of
aging and the deterioration that accompanies it. This deterioration is not just physical but
also metaphorical, reflecting the fading of memories and stories passed down through
generations. The encroachment of nature on the house suggests the loss of familial roots
and the inevitable fading of childhood memories into the landscape of time.

His work frequently deals with fragmented memories of childhood, where figures and scenes
emerge in ghostly or distorted forms, suggesting the elusive nature of memory as one ages.
Saterstrom’s paintings evoke a sense of longing for the past and a recognition of its
inaccessibility, mirroring how childhood memories can become fragmented and blurry over
time.

Techniques and Art Style

Noah Saterstrom's art is characterized by loose, expressive brushwork and an earthy, muted
color palette. His technique often involves layering paint, allowing earlier layers to show
through, which creates a sense of depth and history within the canvas itself. This layered
approach mimics the layers of memory and history that he explores in his work. His figures
and structures are often depicted in an impressionistic manner, lacking sharp definition,
which lends his work a dreamlike or ethereal quality.

Saterstrom’s approach to composition is fluid and dynamic, often eschewing traditional

perspectives. His use of texture and layering not only suggests the passage of time but also
invites viewers to reflect on their own personal histories and the collective histories of places
and people. The almost ghostly quality of his brushwork and the blending of figures into their
surroundings create a sense of merging between past and present, childhood and
adulthood, memory and reality.
i studied this artist as his work convey childhood, memory like atmosphere by using layering,
setting building and ghost like figures, which is a unique techniques i considered to be
intriguing to experience for myself

Analyzing Artistic Techniques and Themes in the Works of Amy Dury: A GCSE Art
Curriculum Perspective
1. Introduction to Amy Dury and Her
Artistic Style
Amy Dury is a British artist known for her colourful depictions of animals and humans. A
unifying theme present in almost all her works is movement: people are seen dancing,
exercising,communicating and running. She is also known for her distinctive work in
printmaking and textiles.

Having studied Fine Art (Painting) during her undergraduate at Edinburgh College of Art from
1987-1992, and graduating with a Commendation in Sculpture at postgraduate from Chelsea
College of Art in 1994, she trained in printmaking and textiles at Edinburgh Printmakers and
concluded her education with the creation of her own art-psychotherapy course. Dury has
been featured in a multitude of exhibitions based on her unique artistic displays.

2. Exploring the Theme of Relationship in

Dury's 'Devoted'
Amy Dury's large pencil drawing, 'Devoted,' depicts Alexander, a resident of a Northumbrian
village where she lived with her family. Here he is with kisses on his head from 'The Lady'
who looks on with longing and adoration. The theme of relationship and connection is a
feature of all of Dury's work, since her recovery from a serious accident more than a decade
ago. Through her art, she is able to reveal and express layers of life experiences that we can
all relate to. 'Devoted' demonstrates how we can be completely involved in our world,
regardless of any external elements that may want to intrude.

The pose of the man (her husband) with his head bent down subtly indicates that we all have
a duty to each other in our relationship. Lovers unite; define each other's acts in exchange
for moments of fleeting love that provide feelings of protection, security, and gratification.
Those of all ages can relate to 'Devoted,' young and old, male and female, with no
assumptions and no judgments.

3. The Representation of Ageing in

Dury's Artworks
There are certain repeating elements in many of Dury's sketches and paintings - children
always feature, children in varying modes of play, sometimes crowded together laughing and
holding hands, sometimes solitary, deeply absorbed in activity. The innocence and
vulnerability of children are clear, but Dury's work also gives a sense of the difficulty of trying
to portray childhood in an authentic and unproblematized way. Often a weariness, both
emotional and physical, is present in the work. Faces are often tired and haggard, and
clothes have gone unwashed, or repaired past all utility. This appeals to the look of real life,
where people struggle with poverty and overwork. It gives the figures an existential quality -
they appear drained and world-weary precursors of the L'Etranger - but it also serves to
represent a broader vision of the world of workhouse children, worn out by labour and a
joyless life.
Ageing serves as one of the major themes of Dury's art, apparent in several ways. Materially
it is captured in the patinas, stains and tears that Dury replicates in her copy work. These
textures are not avoided for the sake of fine art sensibilities - they are sought out,
painstakingly copied, and are possibly amplified in the act of representation. The process of
ageing is also captured in the changing colour schemes of the artwork, where the original
concern with light and presentation is lost almost as if prematurely played out, and replaced
with empathy and an emphasis on revealing situations and states of being. Through attentive
observation, and protracted working periods, when painting shone through etching, the
strength of facial expressions and figures loses the assertiveness, or political portrait quality
of the more polished original work, and instead they reveal, as in a process of growth, the
severe anxiety, desperate plea, cynicism or mistrust behind exaggerated eyes or deep lines.

4. Artistic Techniques Employed by Amy

Dury
Dury has primarily used graphite as her medium of choice, along with experimental tools like
erasers for drawing. Each application of these tools is a result of creative and experimental
use of lines. Dury's focus is not on the object itself, but rather on the experience of making
lines. Her limitations in material may be linked to the origin of her artistic techniques, such as
her interest in mark making and disegno. The use of pencil also reflects Dury's history and
the fusion of sculpture and two-dimension. Dury has been critical of other artists, and now
her work invites criticism of representation. By incorporating sculpture, Dury critiques her
own work and allows for interpretation and conversation with the audience. Her work also
presents themes of figuration and abstraction to the audience. The use of sculpture in her
work may also demonstrate animism, the principle that certain stones, plants, or animals
contain souls or spirits.

i made the decision tu study amy dury due to her ability to create works which portray
multiple emotions by using almost limited monochromatic color schemes, which create a
unique special atmosphere in each work

Analyzing Artistic Techniques and Themes in the Works of Antonio Finelli: A GCSE
Art Curriculum Perspective

Antonio Finelli is a contemporary Italian artist known for his delicate and highly detailed
pencil and ink drawings. His works explore themes related to urban life, architectural
landscapes, memory, and the passage of time. Finelli's meticulous technique and his focus
on minute details make his art distinctive and thought-provoking, aligning well with themes
often explored in the GCSE Art curriculum.

Artistic Techniques and Style

Antonio Finelli’s artworks are characterized by his use of fine lines and an incredible
attention to detail, often drawing in black ink or graphite on white paper. His technique
reflects a near-photographic realism but with a distinct personal touch. The use of fine pens
and pencils allows him to create intricate textures, capturing every minute element of his
subjects, whether they are buildings, streets, or fragments of urban environments.
One of the standout aspects of Finelli’s technique is his use of chiaroscuro, the contrast
between light and shadow. He employs this to create depth and three-dimensionality, which
gives his works a sculptural feel despite being rendered in a flat medium. This approach
allows viewers to perceive the weight and presence of the structures he depicts, enhancing
the realism of his work while also emphasizing the passage of time and the decay that
inevitably affects man-made environments.

Finelli's compositions are often centered and symmetrical, focusing on the architectural
details of his subjects. This precision draws the viewer's eye into the heart of the image,
encouraging them to examine the details closely. His works often lack human presence,
instead focusing on the silent and still world of urban landscapes. This choice creates a
contemplative and almost melancholic atmosphere, as if the viewer is looking at a memory or
a place that time has forgotten.

Exploration of Themes: Urban Life, Memory, and the Passage of Time

Antonio Finelli’s works revolve around the themes of urban life, memory, and the passage of
time. His art is a reflection on how cities evolve and decay, capturing moments that seem
suspended between past and present. The absence of people in his drawings can be seen
as a commentary on the transient nature of human existence compared to the more
enduring yet ultimately fragile presence of architecture.

The theme of memory is also prominent in Finelli’s work. His detailed renderings of urban
settings evoke a sense of nostalgia, as if these places are being remembered rather than
seen in the present. This is particularly relevant in the context of GCSE Art studies, where
students are encouraged to explore how artists communicate ideas and emotions. Finelli’s
work serves as an excellent example of how art can convey the intangible qualities of
memory and time through precise and deliberate technical choices.

Relating Finelli’s Work to GCSE Art Curriculum

Finelli’s art offers rich opportunities for GCSE Art students to analyze and interpret both
technique and theme. His use of detailed line work and his ability to create mood and
atmosphere through light, shadow, and composition provide valuable lessons in how to use
drawing mediums effectively. Students can study his work to understand the impact of tonal
contrast and the importance of fine detail in creating realistic and evocative imagery.

Moreover, Finelli’s exploration of urban landscapes and the passage of time aligns well with
GCSE themes such as "Identity," "Environment," and "Journeys." His art can inspire students
to think about their own environments, how they have changed, and what they might mean in
the context of memory and time. Students could be encouraged to create their own detailed
studies of local architecture or urban environments, experimenting with different techniques
to capture texture, light, and shadow.

Conclusion
Antonio Finelli’s artworks are powerful in their simplicity and depth, using fine detail to
explore themes of memory, urban life, and the passage of time. His technical mastery of
drawing and his focus on the built environment provide a compelling study for GCSE Art
students. By analyzing Finelli’s work, students can gain insights into how meticulous
technique and careful composition can convey complex themes, making his art a valuable
addition to the curriculum.
i decided to study Antonio finally due to his attention to details allowing me to study wrinkles
and textured faces of elders

Analyzing Artistic Techniques and Themes in the Works of Mary Cassatt: A GCSE Art
Curriculum Perspective

1. Introduction to Mary Cassatt and Her

Artistic Style
Mary Cassatt, an important artist born in America in 1844, gained special status in France
and remained popular with Americans. She resisted the definition of Impressionism, aligning
herself between academic art and a unique interpretation of women, children, and family.
Cassatt's art influenced artists and the development of modern art. In the 1890s, American
paintings embraced urbanization, but lacked coherence and excitement. Mary's work in
American art history valued human character equal to European artists like Degas and
Erving.

Cassatt's modern, accurate, and entertaining work has a true nobility. She captures sensitive
and emotional ties, with attention to nature, color, and design. Living during Monet and
Cezanne's time, Cassatt carefully planned perspectives and compositions. She also
analyzed old masters and diverse cultures. Her paintings touch us, as she values
individuality and creates intellectual perspectives. Cassatt sought fundamental truth with
good taste, avoiding idealism and striving for constant transformation. While influenced by
other artists, she occupied a unique stylistic and thematic space. Thorough research
assesses themes and styles in her work.
2. Exploration of 'Little Girl on a Blue
Chair'
The warm, soothing, and homely atmosphere in the blue chair scene is gentler, and the
child’s pose is an appealing one that is known to children. The genre of individual female
figures reading or playing is being studied in the background of these types of images.

"Little Girl in a Blue Armchair" (1878) by Mary Cassatt is a notable Impressionist work that
depicts a young girl lounging casually in an oversized blue armchair, surrounded by other
matching chairs. The loose, soft brushstrokes typical of Impressionism create a dynamic
composition and a sense of atmosphere, with the vibrant blue dominating the scene and
contrasting with the warm tones of the girl's hair and skin. The interplay of light and shadow
enhances the depth and three-dimensionality of the interior, while the girl's relaxed,
unrestrained pose captures a candid, naturalistic moment of childhood, reflecting Cassatt’s
focus on intimate, domestic scenes

3. Themes of Ageing and Childhood in

Cassatt's Works
During the 19th century, the changing role of women and the family was a recurring theme in
society and art. The portrayal of mothers and children in Impressionist and Post-
Impressionist art was complex, reflecting conflicting perspectives on women entering the
workforce. Cassatt explored this contradiction through various emotional ways, capturing
beauty, strength, mother-child bonding, as well as the exhaustion and anxiety modern
mothers faced. The art also reflected societal changes redefining family roles and traditions.

4. Analysis of Cassatt's Techniques

Mary Cassatt's achievements in the 19th century placed her within the Impressionist
movement and Western art canon. While she excelled in painting, her prints are an important
source for analyzing her evocative approach to figure portrayal and depiction of modern life.
Cassatt used a variety of techniques in her long career in painting and printmaking,
showcasing her command of the printing process and understanding of light. Her mastery of
etching brought forth memorable images. Through her experiments, Cassatt expanded the
expressive possibilities of etching and addressed the challenge of reconciling industry and
artistic quality.

i decided to study mary cassat due to her style which involves impressionism and flowy
brush strokes which create a dreamy memorable atmosphere id like to incorporate in my
own works
Analyzing Artistic Techniques and Themes in the Works of Amy Bernays: A GCSE Art
Curriculum Perspective

Amy Bernays is a contemporary British-American artist whose works explore themes of

family, childhood, aging, and relationships. Through her dynamic use of color, fluid
brushstrokes, and expressive compositions, Bernays captures the intricacies of human
experience, often drawing from her own life.

Artistic Techniques and Style

Bernays’ artistic style is characterized by her expressive use of color and a gestural
approach to painting. She often employs loose, flowing brushstrokes that suggest movement
and emotion, allowing her to capture fleeting moments and feelings rather than rigid forms.
Her work incorporates a mix of abstraction and figuration, where the boundaries between the
subject and the background blur, creating a dreamlike or memory-like quality.

In her painting "The Big Blow," Bernays uses dynamic brushwork and a vibrant color palette
to create a sense of energy and emotion. The composition is full of movement, with swirling
colors and layered textures that convey a tumultuous atmosphere, almost like a visual
representation of a powerful gust of wind. This technique allows the viewer to feel the
intensity of the moment, evoking both chaos and vitality.

Analysis of "The Big Blow"

"The Big Blow" is a compelling example of Bernays' ability to capture emotion and the
essence of a moment through her unique style. The painting depicts figures amidst a swirling
environment, suggesting both a literal and metaphorical storm. The use of bold, sweeping
strokes of color creates a sense of movement and tension, as if the figures are caught in a
powerful wind or an emotional upheaval. This visual energy is heightened by the contrast of
light and dark tones, which adds depth and drama to the composition.

The figures in "The Big Blow" are not clearly defined; instead, they merge with the
background in an almost abstract manner. This technique suggests the fluidity of memory
and the way emotions can distort our perception of events. The blending of figures and their
surroundings reflects themes of impermanence and change, relating to the passage of time,
aging, and the evolving nature of relationships.

Exploration of Themes: Family, Childhood, Aging, and Relationships

Amy Bernays’ work often revolves around themes of family, childhood, aging, and
relationships, reflecting her interest in the complexities of human connections and personal
histories. In "The Big Blow," the figures can be interpreted as representations of family
members or loved ones, suggesting the turbulence and complexity of familial relationships.
The chaotic brushwork and overlapping colors evoke the emotional highs and lows that
come with close relationships, where moments of conflict, love, and reconciliation all
intertwine.

The theme of childhood is also prominent in Bernays’ work, where her expressive style
captures the fluidity and spontaneity of children’s experiences. Her paintings often portray
children in motion, exploring their environments, or interacting with family members,
reflecting the innocence and energy of youth. At the same time, Bernays’ art also touches on
themes of aging and the passage of time, often depicting figures that seem to blend into their
surroundings, suggesting how memories of loved ones and past experiences can become
intertwined and faded over time.

i studied amy bernays as i was interested in the way she uses colorskims as
wells as how blends her main subjects with the background without
necessarily showing much detail, which creates images of worm pleasant
memories, especially her interpretations of carefree childhood days
Analyzing Artistic Techniques and Themes in Daisy Patton's Works: A Study for GCSE Art
Curriculum

1. Introduction to Daisy Patton and Her

Artistic Style
Daisy Patton, an American artist, uses photography to create 2D and 3D works. She earned
her MFA at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and has exhibited in the USA. In her
studio, she creates geometric frames from salvaged steel and acrylic to fit each piece. While
her paintings appear old-fashioned, the meticulous brush strokes and use of collage and
photography place her firmly in contemporary art.

Daisy's themes revolve around modernity and social media, exploring nostalgia, leaving an
impact, beauty, and self-portraiture. Through reframing and optical illusions, she engages
viewers with magnifying glass visuals. Her work encourages reflection on personal image,
seeking genuine interaction, and cherishing joyful moments. This teaching unit advises on
analyzing and integrating Patton's paintings into a twentieth-century art curriculum,
comparing them to classical techniques.

2. Exploring 'Daisy Patton's Painted

Faces' Series
Analysis of 'Daisy Patton's Painted Faces' series

In her series 'Painted Faces' Daisy explores "our compulsion to depict ourselves or arrange
a portrait or collection of portraits of our faces. Over the years, portrait collections have been
both cultural markers and established ways for a society to question identity and status. The
drive for representation and identity is a fundamental human pursuit. For all its commonality
and everyday preoccupation, the act of gendering sui generis is defining, and it is
extraordinary, laying questions and systems of equivalence, and leading cycles of
aestheticizing that are as fundamental as it is association with identity." Daisy is interested in
how 'gendering indivifies a collective, creates a meaning in landscapes. She is also
interested in "the correlations and dissonances that lead to new mythic scenarios", and
perhaps how heritage begins to narrate its own future."

3. Themes of Family, Aging, and

Relationships in Patton's Works
Patton's works explore family, aging, and relationships using photographs as templates.
They highlight the universal nature of these themes and combine different art techniques to
create intriguing snapshots of people. Through layers of paint, Patton tells enigmatic
narratives that reveal the common attributes that unite humanity.

Patton uses family antique photographs as a direct reference of emotional ties and
sentimentality. By removing the brush-free process of painting, Patton adds a physical
barrier to these photographs. This duality of emotions attracts people and causes their
special connection with the original figures. Concern for her own family and relationships has
always fed Patton's creative process. While at Virginia Commonwealth University, Patton
began working with family and community photographs to create emotional motifs on a
landscape with pottery. This process continued to create a body of work for her first solo
exhibition. Over time she returned to painting in search of this level of passion and thus the
refinement of these questions. Since then, the works have expanded so that what was
previously found in cabinets, drawers, and family visits can be found in flea markets, antique
stores, or even through the family's archive.

4. Artistic Techniques and Mediums

Used by Daisy Patton
Daisy Patton often works with digital photographs of vintage portrait paintings, which she
cites as 'a response to the changes brought about by the recent digital revolution', using
another snapshot in time or works of art as the source of photographic images. By painting
abstract patterns over these anonymous faces, Patton hopes to superficially alter them to
reflect society’s instability and question their meaning. Floral elements found in her works
symbolize developing, growing, ‘blooming’ relationships and bonds between people
presented in her artworks. She uses oil paint due to its luster and ability to physically make a
space brighter by attracting and reflecting light, photographing her creations several times as
they are worked on.

For her current projects, Patton has been defining each digital portrait using a mathematical
topography algorithm and using these modern extensions of humanity to create tactile,
organic spaces. The extenders and the paint are combined to create a disorienting and
uncomfortable new space while still recognizing the discarded human content. Daisy uses oil
paint as the medium to repaint these found images and dimensions, occasionally
incorporating gold, copper, and palladium leaf. Fine, decorative patterns inspired by the
textiles and jewelry of different cultures are designed on top of recent digital snapshots to
create a sparkling and chaotic surface.

i decided to study daisy patton due to her unique approach of studying photos and making
them into something special and memorable by using bright colors and decorative elements
such as flowers and patterns