Senior Works
"Sentience", Acrylic on Canvas, 2019
My work "Sentience" is actually based off my main theme in my art, which is sentience. Sentience is defined as the ability to think, feel, and be aware of one's surroundings. I have made this an intentionally flowing piece to represent a conversation between the mountain and the buck. I decided to use these figures because I watched an elk grazing in a pasture by a mountain range in Yellowstone National Park.
"Found Object: Wreath", Grapevine Wreath with Dried and Fake Flowers, 2020
One of my sculptural projects asked for me to find an object-either from outside or from somewhere in the home- and create a three-dimensional work from it. My mom told me about an old grapevine wreath we had stuck in the attic since the day I was born. She was going to make a wreath, but never go to making it. I took it down from the attic and make a realistic wreath with beautiful flowers, both dried and fake. I have used pastel colored flowers to remind my parents of me when I leave for college.
"The Tightrope Walker", Steel Wool and Wire, 2020
When I was working on this, I actually was making it entirely out of wire; however, I got sidetracked when my fingers started cramping up and smelling like metal the entire school day. At first, the steel wool was only going to be for the hair. I then realized that steel wool had great texture and gave excellent dimensional value. I kept the thick wire though to give it more dynamic movement. I have made it to appear like it is standing on one leg to represent balancing life's challenges.
"Spirit Animal: Elk", Red Ceramic Clay with Glaze, 2019
I made this piece for a Spirit Animal assignment in my ceramics class. I had to think about my characteristics and decide which animal was most like me. I chose the elk due to its slightly elusive nature and that it it very tall and strong. I have used these warm colors to also make it appear to my personality, which has been described as warm and inviting.
"Ode to the Bonsai", Red Ceramic Clay with Glaze, 2020
While a silly story, I made this sculpture for my Bonsai Tree. It completely dried out after not being cared for for a very long time. It left me feeling upset and desiring another Bonsai. I feel that the textural and organic qualities of the Bonsai tie in well to using my skills in shaping clay to the way I desire it. The Bonsai is a living being and deserves to have recognition of its life. If one turns this piece upside down, the viewer will notice that the base of the sculpture is actually the sky.
"The Beginning of Adventure", Watercolor on Watercolor Paper, 2019
“The Beginning of Adventure” is a short story about a girl sledding with her dog and stumbling upon a wolf, which leads to them going further into the forest. Her red outfit and dog are more saturated in color to show that they are the focal point of the story. It is inspired by my Sophomore work, “The Wolf and The Willow Tree”. Because my theme is sentience, it represents curiosity and the adventures that happen when an individual is curious about nature.
"Beating Heart", Red Ceramic Clay with Glaze, 2020
Although it is not completely finished, this is meant to be the centerpiece of a Ceramic Fountain. When the Stay At Home order was in place, I was not able to go back to school and get my handmade ceramic bowl to hold it in, along with the valves. I made this work to represent how water is the origin of all life; without it, we would not exist. The water coming out of the heart valves symbolizes the blood that runs within us to keep us alive. Using a heart as my fountain piece gives a realistic quality to my message.
"Portrait of Dog: Schuyler", Oil and Spray Paint on Canvas, 2019
On one warm fall morning, I decided to take my painting supplies outside and make a portrait of my dog, Schuyler. Although not exactly pertaining to my theme of Sentience, it does reflect my love of animals and beings related to nature. I have made my dog the focal point of the painting to represent my love towards her-my dog-and how much I desire to have her in my life.
"Coil Vessel", Red Ceramic Clay with Glaze, 2019
This was an assignment I had to make in my ceramics class, where I had to make a vase that was a foot tall and had excellent three-dimensional qualities. While making this piece, I was inspired by the Scandinavian design made by the Swedish in the early 20th century. I felt that it would relate to the flow of my vessel, since it is based off of a pot from a Swedish artist. Because of my love of nature, I include colorful floral design and waving patterns to represent wind and water.
"Never Enough", Oil & Acrylic Paint and Paper on Canvas, 2019
When I made this work, I wanted to show that living beings also develop negative emotions, like sadness. In “Never Enough”, I am presenting the depression I developed during my Junior year of High School; I felt that anything I did was never enough. The black bars in the background are my suppression of happiness. The butterflies are blank because they are my hobbies leaving me. The girl is not me; it is a stranger. This is important because it represents that I was not feeling like myself.