Mushroom to Spindle: Metamorphosis

 

A Project for Art 103 Design Basics

Cayden Nolan

I chose to work with the symbol of a mushroom and spindle for this metamorphosis project. 

I see each of these as representing metamorphosis in their own right. 

A mushroom is part of the metamorphosis from death through decay to new life, the ultimate cycle of death and life that perpetuates through every layer of physical reality. 

A spindle is part of the metamorphosis from fibers to spun yarn, which is then transformed further into cloth. A necessary, and intimate tool used to create a most basic level of human innovation and civilization. Which then leads humans to new levels of transformation through their connectivity with others.

Transformation of a mushroom into a drop spindle.

Sharpie on paper.

5"x8"

I drew the entire metamorphosis on one sheet of paper, and then increased the scale so that each image filled a piece of paper. (5"x8")

Sharpie on paper

5 pieces 

5"x8"

SuperQ

Cayden Nolan

Completed February 2025

Next, I drew the three transitional images with weighted lines. 

Weighted Mushroom Metamorphosis

Cayden Nolan

SuperQ

Sharpie on paper

5"x8"

Completed February 2025

Inspirational Metamorphosis Drawing

https://catchycontentwriting.com/2015/06/01/must-read-tales-of-metamorphosis/

I was inspired how abstract the images became in this metamorphosis drawing. I especially like how in the middle of the transition the shapes are mostly devoid of defining characteristics, and how the silhouette of the shape is slowly transformed. 

Art 21 Artist: Paul McCarthy

I was inspired by how Paul McCarthy distorts the proportions of his subject matter. I was able to distort the proportions of the mushroom as it was transformed into a spindle. 

I appreciate how Paul McCarthy draws from the visual language of cinema and Disney fairytales that are the shared culture of the American experience. He works to push the boundaries of taboo in the realm of disgust and horror, which I appreciate as an attempt to wake up a somnambulant populace. 

Paul McCarthy creates art that is irreverent and makes blatant the subtext of much of the consumer culture that we are surrounded by. 

I think that his goals are complimentary to mine. 

My goals with my art are to speak Truth to power with such force that the institutions of oppression must heed my rebuke and the very foundational structures of our society will be re-examined as they are deconstructed so that we can rebuilt a culture based on respect and cooperation, as opposed to the abusive and manipulative power structures that permeate every aspect of our lived experience in America. I use my personal lived experience to magnify the ways that white liberals are simultaneously the most abused and the most abusive members of our society. 

I also use my art to emphasize the messages that I tweet as SuperQ, the leader of QAnon, as I have successfully argued that Q has lost his mind, and as his wife I am the qualified acting Head of State while he recovers from the psychosis that he finds himself in. 

I use my art to illustrate the power structures that I deconstruct via series of saucy tweets. 

I create art that is irreverent and makes blatant the abuse and corruption that has consumed our society and blinded our populace into a complicit state of authoritarian fascism. 

Metamorphosis Shape Cutout

2"x1/2"

Copper

I cutout this small metamorphosis shape from copper. 

To load a jewelry cutting saw blade, first orient the blade so that the teeth are facing out from the saw, with the teeth pointing down. Attach the blade to the top of the saw in the screw clamp, and then adjust the back so that the top of the blade just touches the bottom blade clamp. Applying pressure against the saw, trap the bottom of the blade in the bottom blade clamp. This should create tension on the blade so that it will make a "ping".

When sawing minimal pressure should be applied, with the metal resting on a cutting board, and the saw loosely grasped by the artist. A bowing motion is used to saw. 

When filing a shape, it is important to only file one way, away from the artist, and at a diagonal angle to the edges of the shape in order to smooth the edges from sharp points.