I S A B E L L A E V A N S E N

Visual Arts Department

Swing With Care

2020

Acrylic paints on unstretched canvas

33" X 58.5"

In this acrylic painting entitled, Swing with Care, there is an emphasis on the nudity of female figures in reference to art history. There are specific allusions to the infamous pieces: The Swing (Fragonard) and The Luncheon on the Grass (Manet). This not only reflects on the flirty nature of the Rococo area, but also on remarks of infidelity and deception that circulates among sensual relationships.

In the past, my pieces were aimed at making commentary upon the subjectivism that women are pretense to when it comes to their relationships, especially with the historical issue of men's domineering dominance. I would encapsulate my ideas to be marked from republican motherhood to women’s working situations in the current workforce. My goal within my artwork is to present women in an empowering state, where they are willing to be vulnerable and comfortable within their own skin, and not naked, or forced to be stripped of their coverings.

The female’s body is an exploration that many appreciate in a inhumane manner, for not everyone will have the chance to explore its beauty.

Dear Class of 2020 ...

I will start my saying that I miss you all very much. Our Senior Year was cut short by COVID-19 as quickly as it took me to impulsively decide to cut bangs my Junior Year. That phase lasted a couple months for me, but now we are left at an uncertain point in our lives where time seems to be unaccountable.

I am so blessed to have struggled through these past 3.75 years with some of the most brightest, talented, genuine, and unique people I have yet to meet.

To my teachers and faculty, I would not have excelled as much as I have these past years if it was not for your encouragement and determination to help me succeed. Ms.Foy, even though you are no longer a teacher at Dreyfoos, thank you for pushing me to explore painting and allowing me to be openly expressive with my pieces in your class. Mrs.Jahn, I loved your painting class dearly and I will never forget the memories that we made. Keep doing you sis! Mrs.Allione, thank you for giving us projects to help us track our progress in AP Drawing. Miss.Kenny, your class grew my love for printmaking and made me a more capable artist. Thank you for making us make mini goals for ourselves, I accomplished a lot of them since. Ms.Van Reeth, having you as an AP Art History teacher was one of my highlights of my Junior Year. Thank you for making everything super PRISTINE and UNDERSTANDABLE. Truly a legend! I will miss your daily nuggets (will check Instagram frequently). Mr. Armetta, thank you for being so open with me in AP 2D Design, and teaching us about meditation---it really helped me on some of my worst days. Ms.Ramos, as my Senior Year Portfolio and AP 3D teacher, I could not have imagined a better fit. You made our classes engaging and joined our humorous banter. Thank you for that.

To my friends, I love you all sososo much and I have such high respect for all of you. Thank you for showing me the meaning of genuine friendships/relationships. From eating Moe's chips and queso to slurping on BurgerFi's milkshakes, there was never a dull moment in art. It is so exciting to see how much we have all grown, and all the accomplishments we have made as a class. I cannot wait to see what all of you do in the future, college or not, you are all capable of so much.

I will visit many of you frequently, wherever you may be, and I am proud to say that I am a Visual Arts Dreyfoos Alumni. A big thank you to the VI-GITAL community!

All my love and best wishes,

Isabella Evansen

Jose is a PHARAOH

Cage The Elephant!!

One of my first concentration pieces for AP 3D!

Some pics from Freshman Year...

DEAR CLASS OF 2021

Over these past four years, I have watched myself (metaphorically) evolve into a person that I can say I am proud to be. Attending Dreyfoos as a Visual Arts major was expected of me---I went to BAK for Visual Arts---but, I never perceived that I would have such a disparate experience. I formed amazing friendships with faculty and friends, and all the hardship I faced always had a light at the end of the tunnel---even if it took a couple years. I was fortunate enough to begin my school year with old friends, but I was frightened at the obstacles I would have to surpass.

I knew that I wanted to go into college with a STEM major, but art has always been something so dear to me. With a focus on my academics and extracurriculars, sometimes I noticed myself not feeling like I had enough time for my art---I especially struggled with this in my senior year. Yet, I realized that "not having enough time" is an excuse, and I began to find a purpose within the pieces I made---I felt more relaxed and connected with myself than I had in a while.

I suggest that you let go of preconceptions and examples of perfect art. These past years are a reflection of YOUR growth, artistically and mentally. Let yourself make mistakes, let yourself get frustrated, but never let yourself give up.

That introduction was a little mushymushy, but now the moment you have all been waiting for: A College Talk.

FIRST OF ALL YOU ARE TOTALLY CAPABLE OF WHAT YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO.

Yes, you have to put in the effort to succeed, but it will never be a feasible process, regardless of what path you choose to take. You will experience rejection, waitlist letters, and acceptances, yet all of those response are essential for your growth.

My statistics going into the college process were not perfect, and I lacked motivation. I neglected all my hard work and progression that I have made in high school and deemed myself not good enough for these prestigious colleges.

AND THAT IS OKAY. YOU WILL DOUBT YOURSELF CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS BUT NEVER FORGET YOUR END GOAL.

My personal end goal for high school was cliche: I hoped to make everlasting memories and find a life I would be content with after the fact.

When I reflected on my statistics I felt proud of myself but again, not good enough. BUT LISTEN I am not worried as much about your scores, they are numbers that help colleges categorize you, but they are not everything. Scores do not define the attributes that you can bring to these college's campuses, and the admission officers know this! Rather than getting upset about what ifs, focus on doing things that will make your future self proud.

Do projects for yourself when everyone else is staying up late on their phones. Do things that make you smile so you don't regret the decisions you will make in the future.

BE OPEN TO NEW THINGS AND BRUTALLY HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

In terms of writing college essays, I wrote them all by myself. I stayed true to my character/writing style, and did not change something due to how I perceived other colleges would look at it. These essays and resumes that you will be working on are for your PERSONAL growth.

YOU MAKE THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL DOES NOT MAKE YOU.

Also, if financial hardship is one of your concerns please reach out to the foundation and look online (and scholarship books) for scholarships that pertain to your interests/area of study.

If you ever need any advice or a link to a scholarship spreadsheet I made, please do not be afraid to reach out!

Email: isabellaevansen@gmail.com

I wish you all the most success! Don't drop your tiara kings and queens.

Warm Regards,

Isabella Evansen

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