Concentration Statement

My concentration focuses on the structure and order of cells and molecules on the microscopic level. Specifically my concentration investigates the dependence of the various levels of structure on one another and the consequences of deterioration of this order in genetic diseases.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Concentration #11

This painting depicts Familial Hypercholesterolemia, or FH for short.  This week I decided to make the cholesterol molecules the primary focus.  So I super-magnified the spheres made up of cholesterol and other molecules.  The orange spheres are coming apart, which is healthy because it means the cells are breaking down the bad cholesterol.  However, if a person has FH, then they do not break down the cholesterol, which is seen in the solid blue and green sphere.  The almost white overlaid images are the cell membranes.  The bottom two are healthy because the extensions (LDL receptor proteins) coming out of the little dips in the cell membranes (coated pits) are able to grab the cholesterol spheres (LDL) and pull them into the cell to be broken down.  However, in the top cell membrane the receptors are not in the appropriate spot, so the cholesterol does not get pulled into the cell and does not get broken down, causing many problems in the body.  I am happy with the way this one turned out.  I like the high contrast, the large size of the molecules, and the clean lines of the cell membranes.

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4 comments:

  1. GeorgiaJanuary 9, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Wow, this looks amazing!! I definitely think this is one of your strongest pieces to date. The contrast between light and dark is excellent, first off, and so is your choice of colors. The white lines of the cell membrane structure are really clean, too.

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  2. Sarah. C. HarrellJanuary 9, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    I'm really glad you kept is simple with the top most white lines and let the orbs be the main subject of your piece. The dark blue orbs look a little to clustered but you could add some lighter values to fix that.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    W O W! best piece of yours that I have seen seriously... you just absolutely nailed everything that you have been working for. It isn't busy, but you have your layers, you have the colors but none is distracting. just...just... amazing

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  4. Molly Grace NifongJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    You never fail to amaze me! This is SO fantastic. The colors are so so rich and the curves of the spheres make the painting come out at you (not flat at all) I LOVE IT!!! i could stare at it for hours haha!

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