Senior Projects Fall 2023

As an artist rooted in printmaking and sculpture, I aim to create a forest of mystery where viewers can intimately commune with the idea of a 'sense of place.' My works beckon observers to take root in their own narrative of nature's allure through the tactile tapestry of mark-making textures, rich earth tones, and the warmth of the dappled light and shadow. From the earliest days of my existence, I felt an innate kinship with the natural world, as though the trees themselves were whispering secrets, urging me to slow my pace, ascend the tree limbs, and perceive life from an entirely new vantage point—one budding in hope and serenity. Nature has long been my sanctuary, offering solace, wonder, and purpose amid a world filled with turmoil and personal loss and often reverberates globally. My affinity for the trees remains steadfast, even as I venture into an unknown future of social and environmental forces molding my sous-bois natural haven. I aim to rekindle a collective connection to the physical, mental, and spiritual riches embedded in the genius loci among the trees.

These works, bound together with unique mark-making techniques, are lovingly inspired by the nuances of nature herself. This amalgamation of mediums guides the viewer on a transformational journey from two-dimensional printmaking into three-dimensional sculptural art while retaining a profound sense of place and artistic interpretation. The sprawling landscapes I print, with their larger-than-life dimensions and microcosmic attention to detail, serve as portals to a deeply personal, spiritual connection with the forest. They are not landscapes of distant vistas observed from afar—but immersive "sous-bois," pulsating energy experiences among the very trees that birthed them. As a printmaker, I have painstakingly assembled this collection of oversized forest prints to capture the grandeur and intricacy of trees, exalting in their twisted trunks and lichen-draped bark. My work implores viewers to "see the forest for the trees," to perceive the web of interconnectedness that binds us to our forests, and to embark on a voyage that delves into the minutiae—to engage the senses in communion with nature's sense of place and its boundless giving.

My artistic journey culminates in creating eight meticulously framed monotypes, each a tribute to the luminous traditions of impressionism and American Realism. These prints are more than mere visual compositions; they serve as gateways to explore the very essence of each tree and each union of species. Within their textures lie the orifices, the scars, and the harmonious partnerships with other plants, lichen, and fungi life and stresses that grace and impact each tree. The seeds of inspiration were sown during meditative walks, which later materialized as an extension of printmaking into three mid-sized abstract sculptures. Drawing from the pottery technique of sgraffito, I embarked on a voyage of experimentation, juxtaposing monotype inks on plaster and sealing marks in wax. Even in these sculptures, an intimate perspective prevails, urging us to delve into the symbiotic relationship of the senses with mesmerizing textures and the healing colors of the natural world. In these tangible explorations of my art, I hope you find yourself intertwined in the luminous current of light and hope, symbolizing humanity's enduring connection to the forest—and an alliance that holds the promise of sustainability.

The obscured reality of mental illness can be best described as an endless lonely maze struggling to find a way out and yet crossing paths with others. According to the World Health Organization, one in every eight people, or 970 million worldwide, live with mental disorders. Mental health is prevalent in everyday lives, and it is still stigmatized. According to Concordia University, lobotomies won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1949 and became obsolete less than twenty years later in 1967. There is a lack of empathy and severity toward the issues that people with mental illness face. According to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), nearly 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide yearly, roughly one death every forty seconds. My goal is to evoke fear and repulsion in the audience by utilizing techniques and concepts from art history, highlighting the visible suffering while uncovering the obscured reality of mental illness. In my art series, I explore the profound significance of visual storytelling in illustrating the struggles of mental illness, shedding light on the often hidden aspects of this complex human experience. Through a cohesive collection of works, I aim to raise awareness while fostering empathy and understanding, ultimately emphasizing the importance of dialogue and support for those facing mental health challenges.

Depicting mental health struggles in art is crucial as it provides a unique and powerful method of communication that transcends words alone. Art enables individuals to visually engage with the complexities and nuances of mental health, offering a tangible and empathetic platform for those who have experienced it and those who may not fully understand its impact. By portraying these struggles, art can break down stigmas, initiate conversations, and evoke empathy and solidarity among viewers. It transforms the obscured reality of mental illness into an easier subject for society to acknowledge, discuss, and address issues without judgment. Additionally, this series offers catharsis in helping me heal, serving as a therapeutic outlet, and contributing to a comprehensive approach to mental health awareness and support. This series is meant to depict mental health struggles and foster a bridge of understanding, compassion, and healing in our society while healing my soul.

Through researching the different types of mental illness, I realized there was many overlaps in the various symptoms. The brushstrokes depict the lack of control and deterioration of the mind, illustrating the violent nature of mental illness. By utilizing oil pastels, it helps create impressionistic and organic strokes which helps portray the raw and intense emotions in each artwork. Also, using acrylic paint for the base layer while creating texture adds depth, visual interest, and a tactile quality to the artwork, engaging the viewer's senses and enhancing the overall aesthetic experience. The juxtaposition of different textures can also symbolize and amplify emotional contrasts within the artwork, intensifying the overall emotional impact. The texture allows the audience to physically connect with the artwork, provoking a visceral response that deepens their emotional engagement with the series. 

Technology has allowed our species to surmount incredible feats and has connected us with each other now more than ever. From the boom of social media to industrial triumphs and life-saving medical treatments, it is easy to quickly say our lives are easier for having it. These advancements, however, come with serious implications that are not readily seen to us, ranging from depression, derealization, anxiety, low creativity, environmental degradation and more. We live in a reality where our dependence on technology often comes at the expense of the natural world and our overall well-being.  

I have always had a strong infatuation with the natural world and its beautiful intricacies. As a child the animated movie Pocahontas had a profound impact on me. It allowed me to deeply understand the spiritual connections to the natural environment and consequently the devastating impacts of colonization of the native environment. As I matured, I developed a deeper sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world. I cherished my time exploring and hiking in various locations and grew to understand the interconnectedness of these environmental systems. I gained a sense of peace and harmony while in nature. It was a mystifying healing experience for me. Through my art, I strive to capture this sensation and to remind us of our connection to the larger ecosystems that surround us. As my artistic voice begins to develop, I find myself being drawn more to exploring the intersection of nature and mental health. I seek to address the need for man to connect with nature during a time when we experience constant bombardment of technology and social media.  

I chose to paint on a larger scale to draw the viewer into the scene and immerse them in the mood depicted. As my inspiration, two of the paintings specifically reference imagery from one of my favorite animation movies, Pocahontas. Additionally, in this body of work I wanted to explore combining my affinity for 2D with 3D media. I opted to use joint compound in my central piece which created a bas relief of the human figure and emphasizes the natural elements around him. The other works, solely done with acrylic paint, are no less successful in helping to continue this ongoing discourse. By drawing attention to the natural world, I strive to inspire others to reflect on their own relationship with nature and technology, and to consider how we can work towards a more sustainable and harmonious future for us all. 

Climate change is a global issue which causes shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. This crisis is caused primarily by human actions, and as a result, our lifestyles and mental health are at risk. The use of motor vehicles and deforestation lead to the over-consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. Consequently, greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat, and causing a rise in temperatures. In addition to the damage done to the atmosphere and planet, climate change also poses a threat to our mental health. Understanding these issues is of vital importance, as the growing notion of fearful acceptance involving climate change could lead to irreversible damage. This global crisis has already begun causing mass forced migration due to severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, flooding, droughts, and wildfires.

Throughout my time at Florida Gulf Coast University, I have studied Environmental Science and developed a passion for issues surrounding climate change. An increased awareness has led me to analyze the careless actions of others towards the environment. Fish and other marine animals get tangled in, consume, and choke on plastics and other trash that humans illegally discard on beaches and in oceans. As a result, humans consume fish with tiny bits of plastic in their systems. Blue-green algae is another epidemic that negatively impacts bodies of water. The use of phosphorus and other chemicals produces blue-green algae which threatens air quality and marine ecosystems. This consequence of pollution and other harmful human actions leads to blue-green algae-infested waters, which threatens life on all levels of the food chain. Due to my growing passion concerning climate change, I have produced a series of abstract paintings inspired by the severe weather conditions brought on by the climate crisis. My hope is to raise awareness of these climatic issues, as the fate of the planet is in our hands.

My abstract series, Break the Cycle specifically focuses on hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires. I captured the essence of each of these weather conditions using subjective colors and dynamic surface textural treatment. Painting with acrylics and using dry pastels allowed me to obtain a variety of values from both warm and cool color palettes. My abstracts will captivate the viewer and encourage thoughtful reflection. My goal is to ignite within the viewer a chain reaction of behavioral changes resulting in, a passion to advocate for a healthier planet.

Feeding, at first glance, seems to be merely a simple body function, but closer inspection reveals how the foods we make act as carriers of histories and rituals passed from one generation to the next. The process of cooking acts as a thread that recalls specific stages of our personal and global developments. When we look at our past, we see remnants of plateware in burial sites and carvings of banquets on old palace walls. When we look at our stomachs, our belly buttons recall the first time we were fed and remind us we haven’t stopped since. Traditions and habits of harvesting, cooking, serving, and feeding either adapt to the current of time or sink deep down into it until they’re forgotten. Our bodies, however, genetically preserve these stories even when our minds fail to remember.

After leaving Cuba with my parents in search of a free life, I found I'd struggled to connect with my culture before our lives had even begun to change. The erasure of culture was one of the countless results of the ongoing Cuban dictatorship, a regime which continues to fail to provide enough food for its people. As our lives adapted to each town we passed through and our access to food drastically changed, recipes formed an unbreakable bond between us and the people we were before moving away. The pieces that make up GRAINWORKED recall personal memories and stories of gathering, cooking, and feeding to echo a lineage we now only pass down through spoons.

Pareidolia /ˌper.aɪˈdoʊl.jə/

The tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.

Before leaving the first house I ever called home, I made shadow puppets in the night-light that pierced the dark of my parents' room. Silhouettes planted themselves in the spotlight and danced as the hours flew by. In my current practice, I approach a canvas as if it were a wall I can cast shadows onto, allowing undefined forms to grow organically from paint strokes. I start each painting with memories, feelings, or stories that I use as starting points rather than goals. With no clear intent, I simply let the paint strokes grow, prioritizing colors and composition as I rotate each canvas around until I can find objects and figures to carve out of the messes. As the figures and environments they exist in begin to take form, I become more mindful of the brushstrokes that define them to preserve some of the history held in the previous layers. With each painting I worked on, excess paint sat on my palette and the guilt of being wasteful set in. I used leftover paint on canvas boards to create small, non-objective pieces that resemble what the larger canvases looked like in the beginning stages. These pieces became “The Leftovers,” a series where each color recalls a different stage in the process of making GRAINWORKED, welcoming you not only to pinpoint when a specific brushstroke was made in relation to the larger pieces, but also to employ pareidolia to find a potential narrative in each mess. These messes did not become stories like the larger pieces have, but they became testaments to the complex narratives our bodies preserve.

“We try to make our celebrities stand in for the heroes we no longer have, or for those who have been pushed out of our view... Yet the celebrity is usually nothing greater than a more-publicized version of us. In imitating him, in trying to dress like him, talk like him, look like him, think like him, we are simply imitating ourselves.”

― Daniel J. Boorstin, The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America

The allure of fame is a universal phenomenon, that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. We are instinctively drawn to those who have achieved a level of recognition and success that seems unattainable to most. Whether it comes in the form of captivating charisma of a Hollywood actor, the electrifying talent of a musician, or even the magnetic presence of a sports icon, celebrities have proven to have an uncanny ability to captivate the minds and hearts of the masses. But beneath the glossy surface of celebrity culture lies a profound paradox. We seek solace and a connection in these larger-than-life figures, believing that they represent the embodiment of our deepest desires and dreams. Yet, this quest for connection most often, leads us to a sense of inadequacy because the lives they live, the jobs they have that we envy, and the unattainable beauty we measure ourselves against, are the idealized images presented by the media.

My art explores this duality, inviting viewers to reflect on their own motivations for idolizing famous individuals. What void are we all attempting to fill when looking up to and idolizing these individuals? What aspects of ourselves do we project onto these icons? As well, how much does this type of idealization impact our own individual self-esteem and self-worth? I’ve created a series of hybrid portraits that encapsulates the essence and persona of significant relationships in my life, with the celebrity that they idolize. There is true meaningful connections at play between my two best friends, fiancé and myself, while the idolization of the celebrity from individual showcases a different connection and relationship. Through this series, I challenge the viewer to question the boundaries between healthy admiration and obsessive fixation. The imagery and symbolism in my art are used to compel the viewer to confront the allure and the pitfalls of celebrity idolization. I hope to spark a dialogue about the fine line between inspiration and delusion, between empowerment and disillusionment.

In “EXTRA-ordinary”, I aim to create a visual narrative that transcends the canvas, beckoning viewers to embark on their own inner exploration. It is my sincere desire that this artistic journey encourages selfawareness, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between fame and the human psyche. My artistic process involves not only capturing the physical features of my subjects but intertwining different physical characteristics and accessories that are symbolic from each individual into a new person. I strive to convey their stories through the interplay of light and shadow, color, and expression.“EXTRA-ordinary” also reflects my deep admiration for the complexity of each unique individual and their lives, and what it is like to combine these two vastly different souls. The human spirit, and it’s capacity for resilience, beauty and transformation is very admirable. Ultimately, my hope is that not only does this series inspire thought and appreciation for the complexity and diversity of the human experience, but that this series stands as a testament to the power of introspection, reminding us that while we may idolize others, our greatest journey is the one within ourselves.