These students represent some of the finest individuals that are currently attending or have graduated from California State University, Fullerton that Dr. Breckenridge has had personal contact with while at the university. Furthermore they represent student academic excellene by maintaining high G.P.A.'s and involvement in various university and community activities. (click the photo)
Danielle Gibbons
Art History (French and Art minors)
Dominique Johnson
Communications, Journalism
Danielle Gibbons
Danielle Gibbons is currently studying at California State University of Fullerton where she is majoring in the History of Art and French, and will graduate in May 2012. She currently resides in Orange County, California. Over the years Danielle has worked and studied with notable artists including Judy Schroeder, Jerry Brommer and Don Lagerberg. Her primary subject matters are urban landscapes, portraits, and la nature morte.In addition to studying in the United States, Danielle has traveled to both Spain and France. She studied in the latter at the Université Michel de Montaigne-Bordeaux III. Danielle’s work was featured in the Orange County Register in a column written about her 2006 NAACP National ACT-SO gold award for “best drawing” received in Washington, DC. She continues to receive commission requests for work by private individuals. (Some of her notable works are displayed to the right). Currently a Ronald McNair Scholar, Danielle will be pursuing a Ph.D. in an effort to increase her knowledge and experience in the field of the arts and language.
Alimentation - oil paint:13.5 x 19.75
Les Moomins - oil/acrylic paint: 24 x 18
Vogue - acrylic paint: 14.5 x 30
Salt n' Pepper - water color: 6 x 4
This is Not Art - mixed medium: 18 x 24
Michelle - Prisma color pencils:13.5 9.5 x 13
L'entrecote - oil paint: 14 x 18
Bateau - water color: 15.5 x 11.5
Dominique Johnson
Dominique Joihnson is pursing a degree in Communications, with an emphasis in investigative journalism and will be receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in May 2012. While at California State University, Fullerton Domonique participated in various media programs such as those seen in the middle column. She is in the Ronald McNair Scholars Program and is currently applyig for graduate school where she intends to work towards a Ph.D. in Comminication. Ms. Johnson aspires to be involved in investigative reporting including becoming a foreign news correspondent reporting with a glogal outlook. She has a passion for writing and seeks to use her writing skills to enlighten, bring awareness, and raise questions about issues both globally and locally. (See examples of her writing at the far right.) Domninique is also passionate about understanding the world around her, and its people, which is why she particularly wishes to do foreign correspondence work. Ms. Johnson believes in seeking an understanding about what we do not know or identify with; whether it be people or ideas that can lead to better relations nationally and internationally.
What’s Love Got to Do With It?: An Analysis of the Depiction of Black Love and Romance in Films from the 1950s-1970s
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the images and depictions of the love relationships (husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend) between African American men and women portrayed in film during the 1950’s-1970’s. A discussion of this specific period will cover lingering stereotypes from the early twentieth century on film, to the development of new images of African Americans, and subsequently, different depictions of those love relationships. Emphasis will be placed on how these depictions evolved or didn’t change through the span of the mentioned period. This paper will include an analysis of these depictions and discuss to what extent these depictions shape the view and understanding of Black love relationships. Questions that will be addressed in this paper will discuss whether images of black love in film are an accurate portrayal of the love relationships between black men and women; in the past depictions of African Americans whether good or bad have been taken as a generalization for all African Americans.
Collage: A Mirror Reflection of the Artist
Abstract
This paper argues that through uniqueness of technique and freedom of personal expression the art form of collage is the most versatile form of art. Whether it is as simple as gluing a piece of newspaper onto oil cloth, just as Picasso did or mixing charcoal and wall paper as Braque, collaging breaks the boundaries of typical art. Though these methods were simple at the time, this paper will discuss how this new method of artistic expression differentiated from all other art. Collaging combines all the elements of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, as well as incorporating various mediums and materials, making it a multi-media form. Collaging connects with all other art forms in that it utilizes both the elements and principles of design. This paper will also argue that although this art form is seen as an easy process, the artist must carefully consider the message they wish to project just as if he were a painter or sculptor, while still communicating their message within the realm of the principles and elements of design. Finally, this paper will prove that unlike any other art form, because collage art pulls many elements into one piece, the artist must in turn, pull from themselves to bring a cohesiveness to their work, thereby making the creation a true reflection of the artist.
What is Blackness?: The Change Face of Blackness and the Factors that Shape its Definition
Abstract
The goal of this paper is to determine how an African American defines his/her own Black identity and to understand the external factors that shape that identity. Blackness, or Black identity has largely been defined by outer influences rather than inner in an African American’s life. Some of these factors being, education, social interaction, and physical appearance have shaped the perception of what it means to be Black. This paper will look at, and analyze how Black identity has changed over time with reference to specific social movements from the beginning of the twentieth century to now. This paper briefly references William Cross’s theory of Nigrescense in order to understand that at one time, to assert one’s Black identity, meant complete denial of everything non-Black, which was an aspect of the Black Power Movement. This paper also discusses the concern of Black identity in other regions of the world and how it differs from the American perception of Black identity. Finally, this paper seeks to answer the question of what defines Blackness in today’s society. However, because Black identity has changed various times throughout history, this question may be unanswerable.
