MEET THE ARTISTS
Good Morning Mary, Prismacolor on Wood Panel, Honors Drawing II
SARA
MILLIKEN
1
Reflection, Prismacolor on Toned Paper, Honors Drawing II
Sara Milliken is currently a senior Visual Arts major and an Academy Ambassador at the McCallum Fine Arts Academy. She has been creating art all her life and will continue her studies at U.T. Austin as a biomedical engineering major in the fall. Sara's artwork deals mostly with everyday objects and people, inspired by contemporary artists like Kehinde Wiley and Amber Lia-Kloppel. She enjoys creating portraits most, specifically of herself, her mom and her friends. To see more of Sara's work, you can visit her website at https://sararmilliken.wixsite.com/artwork
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STEPHANIE ROOTHAAN
2
I created this work to be included in a series of other sculptures that investigated the complicated notion of "consciousness".
I aimed to create something that mixed themes of birth, death, and plants to make the viewer question when consciousness began- or even when it ends.
In this particular piece, I decided to sculpt a pregnant woman transforming into a tree, which symbolizes the beginning of ones's life.
Mother, Clay, Tissue Paper, Acrylic Paint, Wire, and String, AP 3D Design
SKYE
HOSPOD
3
Blind Faith, Gouache, Prismacolor, and Gold Ink, Drawing II
High Flying, Linocut Print and Prismacolor, Printmaking III
As an artist I really focus on the details. I’ve always felt inspired by the intricacies of old religious art, and work to combine that feeling of rich detail into my art. I also often work religious visual motifs into my art, often incorporating crosses or other story-driven details of religious tales. Blind Faith draws from multiple stories including the patron saint of Sicily, St. Lucy (who was said to have blinded herself), as well as the Seven Sorrows of Mary (displayed as the seven daggers piercing her heart). Drawing from stained glass windows I often choose to work with bright primary colors and gold to create bright imagery.
In some of my art that draws less from religion I like to focus on how textures can work together to create imagery, using natural elements such as leaves, feathers, and flowers throughout my entire body of work. High Flying combines the natural imagery of the birds with textured feathers, and the other-worldly wavy border pattern. I hoped by combining many patterns I could give depth to this print.
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Anatomic, Earthenware red clay, acrylic paints, spray paints, copper sheet, polycrylic sealer
The idea of human “perfection” being sought is driven by a single perspective which, by the very nature of being singular, is myopic and flawed. Ironically, these flawed quests for this poorly defined and unattainable perfection have corrupted and pushed both societies and individuals towards not only imperfection, but the destruction of their humanity. Exemplified by themes of mortality, pain, age, and idealized warriors, this 15-piece portfolio investigates this inherently flawed quest for perfection.
HOLDEN
OTT
4
Denouement, Earthenware raku, steel sheet, copper sheet, acrylic paints, spray paints, polycrylic sealer
These two examples from my portfolio use a variety of expressions, materials, textures, and forms inspired by cultures throughout history to expose the tragic irony of this sisyphean quest. The composition Anatomic intends to show these supposed superior beings true mortality juxtaposed by ways in which they attempt to annihilate this indestructible attribute of life. Denouement attempts the Ancient Greek and Roman Humanist’s ideal of perfection through the subtle facial expression and subdued physique compared with those of the Hellenistic Period.
Divination, Oil on Canvas, 18" x 24"
My name is Carter Cordes, and I am a 17-year-old artist living in Austin, Texas. I mainly create realistic portraits in oil paint. I made this first piece of work, Divination, to incorporate some magic and fantasy into my life. I also chose tarot cards that I felt reflected the personalities of my friends and I. For my second piece, Claire, I wanted to paint an elegant portrait of my friend Claire to express her individuality. For both of these pieces, I took my own photo references. Additionally, both of the paintings are influenced by the triangle composition rule that was popular in Renaissance art.
CARTER
CORDES
5
This artist will be sharing a studio with Sabri Amrani
Claire, Oil on Canvas Board, 18" x 24"
SABRI AMRANI
This artist will be sharing a studio with Carter Cordes
6
I pride myself on my knowledge of and connection with the natural world. This painting is meant to inspire awareness and self consciousness in the way of your ecological footprint. In much the same way that our behavior changes when the eyes of another are laid upon us, our behavior towards our planet might change if we felt that we were being watched or judged by the organisms that we were affecting. Because I know you are reading this right now, I ask you: what can you do today? Are you willing to sacrifice things like consuming meat, or supporting that corporation that might not be using sustainable practices? Are you willing to help pick up trash around your local watershed? Will you be planting a pollinator garden to support our bees this summer? Action is key, it doesn’t have to be big, but movement creates change.
Optic Inflorescence, Acrylic on Canvas, Honors Drawing III
Sinking, Lino-Cut Print, Printmaking
The idea behind this print was my intent of putting two things that traditionally would not be together, and make an art piece out of them. Giant squids are often seen with ships and boats, but I decided to have this squid taking over a truck, which I referenced from a photo I took last summer. I love print making a lot because I feel less pressure on the subjects of my prints. I don't have to worry about a deep or secret meaning behind the piece, If I want to make a print of a squid and a truck, then I get to do that! It's such a fun class and I'd recommend any younger artists to take it if they have not before.
The Paramount Theater, Micron Pen, Drawing
I have always loved creating crazy small details in my pieces, and I also really like drawing with pen, so I decided to draw the paramount theater from a reference photo I took. It took me a few years to figure out what was my preferred medium in art. I've never been very good at painting and I find prisma color difficult to manipulate, but when I draw with pen I feel very in control and I love all the possibilities of detail I can create with the smallest pen possible.
GABBY SHERWOOD
7
This artist will be sharing a studio with Izzy Evans
IZZY
EVANS
8
This artist will be sharing a studio with Gabby Sherwood
Sunset Falcon, Block Print, Printmaking III
Birds have always been a large part of my life and I have always loved to draw or create art that involves them. This piece has four variations of the same print, two with tissue paper incorporated into the piece. On the second board there is a grouping of nine smaller prins of two bird skeleton prints. These two prints are some of my favorites I've done.
This is a sculpture representing my growth as a person and it is made of paper mache, fake moss, flowers, gemstones, different cloths, and a stool. The plants on the piece signify the growth of the person, there are also some mirror shards that represent the idea of self reflection. Most of the items used are things that are found around my house and have been significant
things throughout my life. There are some pieces that are empty representing
My Body. My Art. Paper Mache, Cloth, and Artificial Moss and Flowers
room to grow and change. I wanted this art to be somewhat interactive and I was hoping to add a part that opens to see what's inside of the sculpture itself.
RUBY
HENSON
9
This piece is a larger scale illustration of an octopus. The meaning behind it is more up to the imagination but ill set the scene: ...imagine you are in space and then you see an octopus. What would you do? What kind of feeling does this evoke? Fear? Comfort? Confusion? I meant for my piece to up for interaction because it doesn't have very much meaning to it, but you the viewer can give it the meaning it deserves by simply observing. My inspiration is the murals up on 6th street, thats why I decided to work on a larger scale.
Space Octopus, Spray Paint on Wood, AP Art History
ENA
NOLAN
10
The Morrigan, Block Print on Watercolor Paper, Printmaking III
This piece is my interpretation of the Celtic deity The Morrigan, a strong female power that I personally resonate with. Morrigan is known to manifest as a crow in Celtic mythology, which is why I decided to draw her in her animalistic form as opposed to her maiden form. She is associated with the Celtic Triple Goddess of war, fate, and death. In her Crow form, the Morrigan is often depicted as screeching above the battlefields as she flies
Polyporales, Two Color Block Print, Printmaking II
This piece is referenced from a picture I took of my friend Kelsey, and pictures of a Polypore fungi that I found in the woods by my house. With this piece I really wanted to play with different textures, as an artist who does not normally work in color I found it very challenging but inspiring to work with color as well as incorporate my textural style that I like to put into my black and white block prints. I positioned the fungi around her head in a way that mimicked cloud-like shapes and positioning. I also tried to keep the theme of wavy lines and flowy shapes to juxtaposition against the hard texture of the Polypore fungi. This is one of my best and favorite portrait pieces, because it is completely out of my comfort zone yet I feel that it turned out as one of my best pieces of work.
upon another fallen bird. The interpretation of the emotion associated with her expression is ultimately up to the viewer, I have heard several people interpret it as anger, while others have interpreted it as grief. Because of her association with the Triple Goddess, I chose to illustrate Celtic style swords hanging over her head, these were directly referenced from the Celtic sword owned by my brother. Additionally, the number three is a sacred number within Celtic mythology, it comes up again and again in the form of the three leaf clover, Brigit - a goddess who also takes the form of 3 women in one, as well as the Triskel, and many other examples. The four antlers surrounding the central image represent the Horned God, Cernunnos, who is another important character in Celtic mythology, often representing the overarching cycle of life and death as well as the four seasons. The registration of the print is grainy, but I ultimately chose that because of the story of Morrigan causing a thick fog to roll over battlefields in order to decrease visibility. Even though it was not intentional, I found it oddly fitting.
towards the enemy. This is why I chose to depict her as a crow descending
in the ring, Acrylic on Wood, Painting I
For me, experimentation within different mediums is very important. Not just using different mediums, but learning how each one can be used in a multitude of ways and styles. I think as a young artist, the best way to find my voice and style is to try new things, so I can know what I like and what I do not.
MAYA
HEIDEL
11
gimme ur teeth, Linoleum Block Print on Paper, Printmaking II.
I enjoy adding odd, creepy, and weird elements sometimes because I connect with the strangeness. With a lot of what I make, the image comes to my head first, and the meaning comes after. The process helps me work through why my brain came up with it, to uncover what is going on in my life or in the world around me that moved me to choose the subject that I did. It can be an almost meditative process that starts superficial and becomes important by the end.
In these particular works, I wanted to explore pain. They represent the idea of using pain and defeat as a mechanism for resilience and creativity, both within the stories of the artwork and simply by creating art out of those painful experiences. Essentially, gearing back up to fight again after being knocked down, like the boxer in the painting, ready to throw an even stronger punch.
Anatomical View of the Head, Micro Pen, Watercolor, Drawing II
HARPER
KINGSLAND
12
After Hours, Mixed Media, Drawing II
I like to create whimsical, illustrative art pieces that depict imaginative and unexpected scenarios. I like to experiment with different mediums, but usually gravitate toward mixing watercolor, ink, and acrylic to try to create a cohesive final piece. I hope my art inspires people to see new possibilities in the little things they’ve never really thought much about.
Kolache’s Bubble Bath, Oil on Canvas, AP Studio Art
Most of my compositions revolve around the depiction of the human form and the objects that symbolically represent our experiences. It ranges from the human identity of a single person to a whole society, across different eras. Additionally, it reflects on the uniqueness of humor in everyday activities and observation. I bring a sense of surrealism into the majority of my art, but I try to make them, in contrast to the classic dreamlike style of
CASSIE
HARTLE
13
Buckeye, Oil on Wood, AP Studio Art
the 20th century Surrealist Movement, realistic and crisp. I stray away from
abstraction, because I want to create a clear moment in time that could be realistic, if it weren’t for my irrational alterations. I utilize various mediums within my pieces, but mostly I use oil based materials such as prismacolor pencils or oil paint, because they are smooth and vibrant. I always try to use striking color palettes to brighten the image I am portraying. I want my audience to feel like they are balancing on the equator of an absurd reality that is vibrant and conceptually elegant.
Frog Queen, Oil on Canvas, AP Studio Art
I really like weird surrealism and fairy type-esc artwork, so when I was prompted to do a portrait I decided that was what I wanted to go for. My friend Harper loves frogs and I love to paint them, so I decided to combine the two together. I was inspired by old portraits of kings and queens. I decided to include cute hidden details like how the buttons and earrings are dead flies.
SONOMA
CAMOZZI
14
Cricket Crunch, Acrylic Paint, Marker, AP Studio Art
I like to design characters in my free time and wanted to incorporate it into my AP work. I love how cereal mascots look so I figured I would take a crack at it. This is apart of a series of 3 designs for types of bug cereal that I did for class.
Avian Official, Clay & Acrylic Paint, AP 3D Design
BEN JUENGER
This artist has opted not to open their studio for this event
Converse Kraken, Tin Foil, Apoxie Clay, Hot Glue, A Shoe, Acrylic Paint
Sculpture III
I believe that the most emotionally stimulating and interesting art challenges our imagination and shows us something uncanny that we would never see in the natural world. As a result, I’ve focussed on blending imagery from many contrasting sources, often sculpting hybrid humans and creatures. I find that these unique and surreal combinations are effective in evoking a tone of mystery, humor, and sometimes even horror.
GRACE MILLIGAN
This artist has opted not to open their studio for this event
Full Moon, Lineoleum Carving, Printmaking II
A lot of my work in printmaking tends to have a mystical, or somewhat surreal atmosphere to it. The whimsical elements of my pieces are inspired by my childhood, which involved the Japanese films of Miyazaki and picture books. Overall, I enjoy blending the distant nostalgia of my past with more modern culture and abstract imagery.
Jade Mountain, Linoleum Carving, Printmaking II
VALERIE
THOMPSON
This artist has opted not to open their studio for this event
Mantis in the Night, Oil Paint on Wood Panel, AP Studio Art
Mantis in the Night holds within it a great deal of symbolism. Its main themes include disassociation, intrusive thoughts, and intrusive suicidal thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are something that is rarely talked about, and they're hard to explain to someone who does not have them or who is not a therapist. The people that are struggling the most are often the hardest to spot.
General Anxiety as the title suggests, is a visual representation of anxiety.
Often a sense of foreboding and doom can loom over a person that experiences general anxiety. My current work has more or less been centered around mental
General Anxiety, Acrylic Paint on Wood Panel, AP Studio Art
health. I have found that communicating powerful emotions
through art can allow for a greater understanding from the viewer when those feelings are too difficult to put words too. I hope that mental health continues to be destigmatized.
TRISTAN SIMON
This artist has opted not to open their studio for this event
Amorphous, Mixed Media on Canvas (Ink, Oil, Acrylic)
Poison, Ink on Canvas
When I created this work I had no plan in mind other than I was going to create some sort of creature. I drew out a general shape with pencil and then started using paint to create the shape of the body. I was not really inspired by one particular artist because the whole thing was improvisation. For my second piece, it was also sort of improvisation, but I had been inspired by one of my friends who had drawn a snake that I thought had looked cool. I wanted to create a lot of changing detail in the scales of the snake, as well as use multiple colors. The background was inspired by graffiti, but it was also experimental, as you can kind of see I made multiple layers of letters and drawings.
KIRSTEN PACOTTI
This artist has opted not to open their studio for this event
I created this piece for the Texas VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) and it represents inner fear. I decided to use very small brushes to create fine lines and details.
Divine, Gouache, Painting III