Psyche Inspired
Learn more about the Psyche Inspired program and view other works
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Psyche Inspired: Aarti Patel
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Psyche Inspired Class: 2020-2021
Reflections on Psyche Inspired
Reflections on Project 1: Essence of Psyche
Essence of Psyche
Aarti Patel
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Genre/Medium: scratchboard medium with carvings done by scratch knives and gouache paint added for color
About the work: For my first project in this program, I wanted to focus in on the contours, topography, and ultimately the essence of Psyche. The main focus was to create vibrant metallic textures that may be found on the Psyche asteroid. There is a possibility that Psyche may consist largely of metal from the core of a protoplanet, and with that, I was inspired to create a very detailed scratchboard piece highlighting the craters and ridges formed from violent impacts present early in the formation of Psyche. To highlight the metallic texture and the colors of the Psyche mission, I used diluted gouache paint for the contours of Psyche, and I used a more opaque form of the gouache paint for the satellite and the galaxy clouds, which were done in the mission’s colors.
Reflections on Project 2: Flyover of Psyche
Flyover of Psyche
Aarti Patel
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Genre/Medium: epoxy resin pour of acrylic paint texturized with black crystals and glitter on a wooden panel
About the work: Flyover of Psyche is an abstract, detailed view of what I imagine the surface of Psyche to look like. As an asteroid likely largely made of metal, I wanted to use vibrant gold, iron, and nickel colored tones to showcase the textures and formations that might be present on the surface. I have always wanted to try resin art and was inspired by various photos I have seen of geode resin art and marble-like finishes. The abstract technique and the marble-like finish were both qualities that I believed would showcase Psyche’s surface in a unique way. The piece was created on a wooden panel. I used epoxy resin mixed in with acrylic paint to create a thick consistency. The actual painting of this piece was done by pouring cups of the various paints onto the panel and blending it with a heat gun to control the direction and fluidity of the blend. Black crystals and glitter were added on the thick paint to add more of a rocky and metallic touch to the surface.
Reflections on Project 3: Art of an Asteroid
Art of an Asteroid
Aarti Patel
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Genre/Medium: digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator
About the work: The Art of an Asteroid showcases Psyche in an artistic light with brushes of paint and mandala patterns placed in craters, grooves, and edges of the asteroid. The digital piece was done using Adobe Illustrator and layering techniques to incorporate different levels and tones of color and to bring a more artistic view of Psyche. The purpose of this piece is to portray Psyche in a delicate manner, as if one were looking at a delicate piece of art. With all the craters, grooves, and roughness found on the surface, I wanted to portray the beauty and to shine a light on the creative, natural patterns that could potentially exist from the intense formation of the Psyche asteroid.
Reflections on Project 4: Psyche and the Night Sky
Psyche and the Night Sky
Aarti Patel
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Genre/Medium: Acrylic painting done on a wooden panel with a cut out collage of a constellation
About the work: Psyche and the Night Sky is a piece that shows Psyche in a new light with respect to the stars and the placement of objects in the sky. Not only do we see stars and planets when we look up at the sky, but we also see other bodies, such as asteroids. (16) Psyche is currently in the constellation of Taurus, and like most bodies in space, its placement changes and can be communicated with respect to constellations and other space bodies around it. My piece shows Psyche in a new perspective: as a map of the constellations to highlight the differing placements of bodies in space.
Reflections on Project 5: Psyche’s Magnetic Field
Psyche’s Magnetic Field
Aarti Patel
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Genre/Medium: 5 x 5 scratchboards, scratch tools, and acrylic paint
About the work: Psyche’s Magnetic Field is a vibrant collection of 3 pieces that portray varying simulated magnetic fields of the Psyche asteroid influenced by solar winds.These 3 pieces referenced actual simulated data and images with slight variance provided by the Magnetometry Investigation Team (MIT). Each piece is done using a 5 x 5″ scratchboard piece with initial sketches of the asteroid done in the center. By using scratch tools, the sketch is carved out and highlighted with acrylic paint. The blended orange, pink, and purple are meant to signify the Psyche mission’s logo and colors.
