Olivia Clemons, Student Work

"Individuals in a Crowd", Oil Paint on Paper, Each portrait is approximately 8"x5".

 This drawing collection centers around the importance and value of every individual.  When observing groups and crowds of people, individuals are often dehumanized and perceived as the "other". The individual's humanity is often diminished by generalizations and cultural perceptions; they become unseen and unnoticed. Within this piece I worked to impress upon the viewer the importance of each person by highlighting the unnoticed people in the background of my own life. Each portrait in the collection is a person in the background of my own photographs, which is integral to the work because these are people I have seen yet not noticed. 

Lea Scarangella, Student Work

Controlling the Uncontrollable

Photo paper, tracing paper, drawing paper, paint, natural dyes, flowers

3' x 5'

Artist Statement:

A lot of my work involves destruction so I decided to burn the edges of each piece in order to create interesting negative spaces between drawings. A theme in some of my work is the idea of controlling the uncontrollable. Most of the materials I used are natural and the processes are ones that happen and are difficult to control precisely. I feel as though this a commentary on my childhood as well, trying to control things around me even though they were spiraling out of control.

Marina Rossi, Student Work

Trail Mix

Coffee, tea, paint, gesso, wax, cardboard, paper

4' x 3'

For my drawing collection I began by experimenting with different mediums including coffee and tea dying. I also made marks with gesso and acrylic paint, experimented with wax and included small sketches. Many small, ripped pieces of paper are glued together to create one, final drawing. As I assembled, I looked for connections among the marks, creating a trail. The marks on the top create a mountain that flows down into scattered memories of a nature trail. I incorporated sketches of myself to reflect my physical and mental journeys. A long journey can leave one with a feeling  of accomplishment. I think it is interesting to look back at the various stages of a journey. Trail Mix is an attempt to reflect on a time and place while acknowledging accomplishments.