Studio background
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program is a professional degree that is studio intensive. I consider myself both an educator + practicing artist. My BFA in Art Education embraces the artist-teacher concept, providing both a broad and focused studio background alongside professional education skills. I have attained a high level of knowledge in art history dating from prehistoric artwork to contemporary examples.The rigorous nature of the BFA program has prepared me to teach a multiplicity of mediums. I have attained certification to work in a multiplicity of studio spaces including:
- Photo Image Making lab | film camera loading, capture, unloading, developing, and printing processes
- 12-station darkroom (enlargement of 35mm to 8"x10" film formats), color processor for color print enlarging (up to 30"x40" from any film format up to 8"x10"), print finishing (including mounting & matting equipment), and controlled lighting environments (electronic strobe & continuous source lighting equipment and backdrops)
- Digital Design lab | Mac workstations equipped with current versions of Adobe Creative Suite, high quality + large format printing, operation of laser cutters for digital fabrication
- Wood shop | multiple bandsaws, sanders, drill presses, table saw (Saw-top technology), wood compound miter saw, + jig saws
- Sculpture studio | plaster casting + carving, silicon mold making for resin casting, and installation set-up both in a formal display settings and exterior location-based installations
- Fibers studio | loom building, weaving, dyeing (natural + synthetic processes), fabric printing and painting, stitching/embroidery, and mixed media
- Pottery studio | hand-building, wheel-throwing, glaze calculation + application, kiln loading and firing
Personal Artwork
The following art pieces and collections were created during my time at Colorado State University. The artworks referenced exist in chronological order based on the date of creation.
Teach It, Adobe Illustrator, 2020
For my publication unit of my advanced graphic design course, I chose to create a magazine geared towards teachers, art teachers, parents, or anyone interested in art. The magazine is to function as a formal journal and casual decorating/crafting magazine. The magazine would provide both decorating, projects, and insight about teaching methods and pedagogy. The magazine included a cover, contents spread, department/short article spread, Feature article [2 spreads – introduction and content spread], regular monthly article spread.
Ode to Hyacinth, mixed media (Screen Printed paint, fabric ink, cotton,) 2020
For this project I was very inspired by the innocence and ignorance of being a child. I drew upon a memory, plucking grape hyacinth flowers from the hillside of my childhood country home. My love for this unique plant overwhelmed me as I drew them from the ground...to the point that they no longer returned. This piece is an ode to all the flowers I disturbed in my efforts to preserve and possess something that is naturally fleeting. I’ve learned that nature is something to be loved and appreciated, but not disrupted. The flowers in the foreground are confronted by awe-struck faces and a large hand grasping at the stems. The abstract style of these figures is inspired by the natural development of artistic practices in children—uninhibited by any social ideas of what “art is” or “should look like”. The boundless state of a child’s growing creative mind and interpretation of the world are something to be truly valued and preserved.
Boise River Abstracted, mixed media (yarn, dried reeds, wooden sticks), 2020
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, my fibers class was converted to a remote learning format. I took my practice out into the world, in nature, finding a new space and mindset to create art and stay motivated in a difficult time. I was very inspired by continuing my exploration of abstracted landscapes as a way of depicting my inspirations in a different light. I wanted to explore a variety of weaving techniques and integrating many styles to create a very energetic piece that was full of movement. I was also inspired by a fellow colleague's use of unconventional materials. I collected many twigs and pods from my nature ventures in Boise, Idaho to bring the tapestry and it’s inspiration together. I found bringing in physical momentos from the place I was depicting made the piece much more personal + pertinent.
Dream State, indigo kikkoitajime shibori/dip dyed cotton, 2020
Dream State was created using both kikkoitajime shibori folding and the ombre dipping technique in a vat of natural indigo dye. This bedding set reflects the sleep cycle in which the body undergoes as soon as we lay down to rest all the way through the deepest state of rest. During the non-REM stage, the body temperature drops and eye movements stop; brain wave activity slows but is marked by brief bursts of electrical activity. The heartbeat and breath slow down, and muscles relax continually more from stage one through three. During the REM stage the brain is most active, while the body exists in a motionless state of rest. The eyes will move rapidly from side to side behind closed eyelids. The breath becomes faster and irregular, and heart rate and blood pressure increase to near waking levels. Most dreaming occurs during REM sleep. Your arm and leg muscles become temporarily paralyzed, which prevents you from acting out your dreams.
References: NIH. August 13, 2019. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.
References: NIH. August 13, 2019. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.
Bold Reminders, Laser cut Acrylic, 2020
As an art ed major, I love exploring as many mediums as possible to expand my horizon of experience and knowledge. Knowing as much as I can about different content areas will allow me to provide greater opportunities and a multiplicity of creative outlets for my future students. I also explore mental health topics in many of my individual works and collections as a mode of spreading awareness, promoting change, and employing art making as a form of emotional healing.
BOLD REMINDERS is a collection of laser cut, hand-assembled, acrylic statement jewelry. As a collaborative team, Karlijn van den Bos and I created this collection of jewelry in order to popularize self-care, empathy, and the benefits of basic societal kindness. The neon pink and neon green color choices stems from current trends in the 2020 fashion industry, while bringing attention to each piece through their size and eye-catching color and material. Each jewelry piece encompasses a specific word(s) relating to proper mental health practices. These messages are to raise up and support those who experience mental health challenges themselves, provide instruction for their potential support systems, and educate the wider public. The placement of each piece on the wearer corresponds literally and figuratively with the action(s) being promoted. Drawing inspiration from current trends allows us access to a wider population and enables art activists to promote fashion as a way of sparking conversation about mental health.
BOLD REMINDERS is a collection of laser cut, hand-assembled, acrylic statement jewelry. As a collaborative team, Karlijn van den Bos and I created this collection of jewelry in order to popularize self-care, empathy, and the benefits of basic societal kindness. The neon pink and neon green color choices stems from current trends in the 2020 fashion industry, while bringing attention to each piece through their size and eye-catching color and material. Each jewelry piece encompasses a specific word(s) relating to proper mental health practices. These messages are to raise up and support those who experience mental health challenges themselves, provide instruction for their potential support systems, and educate the wider public. The placement of each piece on the wearer corresponds literally and figuratively with the action(s) being promoted. Drawing inspiration from current trends allows us access to a wider population and enables art activists to promote fashion as a way of sparking conversation about mental health.
Journey to Wholeness (collection), mixed media, 2019
In this sculpture based collection I explored the mental and physical detriment anxiety has on the body and various effects of anxiety treatment. I participated in a clinical study conducted by Colorado State University in 2019 which focused on the holistic approach to healing for individuals with anxiety and/or depression; I was inspired to create a collection of sculptures which expressed my personal experience with anxiety while comparing the effect of medicated treatment versus holistic modes of healing. The presence of bees in each piece represents the feeling I personally experience when anxiety is induced, a swarm of bees in my chest and how anxiety can seem ever present. Through the Colorado State University study and the process of constructing this collection, I was able to gain insight about what is happening inside my mind and body and how I can spread my knowledge to help others dealing with similar situations. I believe holistic approaches to mental health issues and the experiences individuals with anxiety experience can often go unnoticed and I would like to shed light upon both in order to provide a multiplicity of paths for those working toward healing.
Individual works:
"Tell Me What You Need"
This interactive ear sculpture comments on the importance of communication, support, and validation. A note pad sits below the piece in which the viewer can scribe a message to insert into the earhole. A compartment to catch the notes is concealed within the metal tube, keeping the message confidential. Asking oneself "what do I need?" can assist in managing your own mental health and asking others for help as well.
"Anxiety Trip"
This triptych, which consists of printed images pasted on cut wood panels, represents the various physical stages of an anxiety attack. The left image depicts a shortness of breath; the right depicts tightness in the chest and lungs; and the middle image is the joining of these two symptoms as they take over the body. The corset further enhances the feeling of being constricted by a source outside of the body and the inability to breathe.
"Take Plenty & You’ll Feel Good"
In this piece, I am calling out the detriment of medicated mental health issues. These medications change the physical balance of chemicals within your brain. The clarity of the “medication” in the cube represents the feeling on the medication, but the blurry quality of the glass above represents a clouded mind and ever-presence of the issue when not resolved internally. The pill like materials contained in the box are Good and Plenty licorice candy, alluding to the issue of over medicating and taking pills like they are candy.
"Threat"
This play on brass knuckles represents the inducement of anxiety due to fear. As a woman I have found myself walking to my car with keys in between my fingers as a defense mechanism in case of assault. I wanted to illustrate this experience more literally by crafting it into a real weapon.
"all it takes is one"
The display of these two chairs facing one another represents the healing which can result from access to a support group. The text on the wall, “All it takes is one” symbolizes the importance of having an individual to confide in who can provide a sense of validation and understanding.
"Tell Me What You Need"
This interactive ear sculpture comments on the importance of communication, support, and validation. A note pad sits below the piece in which the viewer can scribe a message to insert into the earhole. A compartment to catch the notes is concealed within the metal tube, keeping the message confidential. Asking oneself "what do I need?" can assist in managing your own mental health and asking others for help as well.
"Anxiety Trip"
This triptych, which consists of printed images pasted on cut wood panels, represents the various physical stages of an anxiety attack. The left image depicts a shortness of breath; the right depicts tightness in the chest and lungs; and the middle image is the joining of these two symptoms as they take over the body. The corset further enhances the feeling of being constricted by a source outside of the body and the inability to breathe.
"Take Plenty & You’ll Feel Good"
In this piece, I am calling out the detriment of medicated mental health issues. These medications change the physical balance of chemicals within your brain. The clarity of the “medication” in the cube represents the feeling on the medication, but the blurry quality of the glass above represents a clouded mind and ever-presence of the issue when not resolved internally. The pill like materials contained in the box are Good and Plenty licorice candy, alluding to the issue of over medicating and taking pills like they are candy.
"Threat"
This play on brass knuckles represents the inducement of anxiety due to fear. As a woman I have found myself walking to my car with keys in between my fingers as a defense mechanism in case of assault. I wanted to illustrate this experience more literally by crafting it into a real weapon.
"all it takes is one"
The display of these two chairs facing one another represents the healing which can result from access to a support group. The text on the wall, “All it takes is one” symbolizes the importance of having an individual to confide in who can provide a sense of validation and understanding.
inanimate self portrait, Conte crayon, pastel, 2019
Understanding both literal and figurative forms of artistic expression are important in creating a message for the audience. In this piece I chose to depict objects that say something about my personal identity, versus using an image of myself, to create a figurative self portrait. During my process I observed the physical objects, choosing a multiplicity of materials to extend more interest in the piece while also practicing a variety of textural techniques.
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For more artwork, process images and updates refer to:
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