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Leavetaking2012 | Graphite Pencil and Charcoal | 12" x 18" |

Leavetaking

2012 | Graphite Pencil and Charcoal | 12" x 18" |

This is a scene of leavetaking in two senses, first in that the couple shares one last embrace before they part, second in that this is the end of the soldier's leave and he must return to war. Though I based this on a jeweler's advertisement, I hope to convey a more nuanced and bittersweet story with this work.

His Banner is Beauty2012 | Graphite Pencil and Watercolor | 11" x 14"

His Banner is Beauty

2012 | Graphite Pencil and Watercolor | 11" x 14"

This is a recreation of Picasso's Don Quixote (1955), with significant modifications. In it, I focus on recovering the identities of Rocinante and the donkey, both of whom exist outside the reach of Don Quixote's fantasy. Meanwhile, the human faces remain austerely clouded, leaving the question of whether we look on Don Quixote or Alonso Quijada unresolved. The sunburst of color over a grey landscape suggests the romanticism, chivalry, and beauty for which Don Quixote stands. The title is drawn from a quote by Vladimir Nabokov.

Serenity2014 | Conté Crayons | 18" x 12"

Serenity 

2014 | Conté Crayons | 18" x 12" 

This was a learning piece for me, as it was both my first still life and my first work using conté crayons. On gray paper, I first drew the highlights with a white conté crayon, leaving negative space where I later used a black conté crayon to deepen the shadows. This pumpkin and teapot were drawn from observation.

Brothers2015 | Conté Crayons | 18" x 12"

Brothers

2015 | Conté Crayons | 18" x 12" 

Horses have always been one of my favorite subjects to depict in any medium. In this piece, rather than depicting horses mid-gallop (à la George Stubbs), I opted for a more tranquil, affectionate scene. Here I hope to convey the playful camaraderie between two brothers as they groom each other. Conté crayons served me particularly well in the shading of muscle and hair, suffusing an otherwise realistic piece with a soft glow.

Note: This was done on light gray paper.

 

Maple and Vine 2013 | Ceramics | 9.5" tall (left) | 8" tall (right

Maple and Vine

2013 | Ceramics | 9.5" tall (left) | 8" tall (right)

The piece on the left was created with slabs. The piece on the right was created with one continuous coil. Both pieces exhibit non-traditional shapes. The piece on the left: I picked up a maple leaf on the way to class. This served as inspiration for both the form and pattern of the vase. The rim follows the contours of a maple leaf, and pattern is a direct imprint of the fallen leaf. The piece on the right: Continuing with the same theme, I created a coil pot in one continuous spiral ending at an imagined flower. Its overall shape is irregular so as to represent the disorderly manner in which vines grow in nature.

Note: My choices in color were limited to the glaze colors available at school.

Swan and Cygnet2013 | Ceramics | 6" tall

Swan and Cygnet

2013 | Ceramics | 6" tall

This is a functional teapot in the form of a swan, created with slabs. The cygnet is the lid, also created with slabs. Water spouts out of the swan's beak, traveling through a hole placed under the head. In this piece, I created a water vessel in a natural form already associated with water. The form of the swan both disguises and enhances the function of the teapot. The cygnet is the solution to the question of what might be conceivably placed on the swan's back. It also lends a warm familial air to the ritual of tea.

Rocinante2014 | Digital Painting in Photoshop

Rocinante

2014 | Digital Painting in Photoshop 

In this piece, I returned to horses and Don Quixote with the subject of the knight's tired steed. In Photoshop, I used one brush with opacity, size, and roundness set to pen pressure. I employed a pseudo-pointillist technique, placing colors side by side rather than layering them.

Note: Free handed, using a tablet and pen.

Elisse2015 | Digital Painting in Photoshop

Elisse

2015 | Digital Painting in Photoshop

In this piece, I used the same digital techniques as in Rocinante. The subject of this work holds deep significance to me. This is a portrait of my sister Elisse, from when we were both much younger. As such, the work presents her as I think of her: my beautiful little sister, looking up to me. I plan to print and give this work to her when I leave for college.

Note: Free handed, using a tablet and pen.

Into the Woods2014 | Adobe Illustrator

Into the Woods

2014 | Adobe Illustrator

This design piece, which celebrates Sondheim’s Into the Woods, incorporates setting and character into its text. Within the letter D, a line of trees suggests the titular woods. Spiky needles on the left of each tree and lack thereof on the right evokes characters’ fear upon entering the woods and their courage after passing through—symbolizing the main action of the musical. On the far right, a beanstalk comprises the letter S. A light to dark gradient, together with Jack looking upwards, promises “Giants in the Sky” beyond our view. The three O’s contain the other three characters left at the play’s end. Each wears distinctive clothing—the Baker with a scarf from his wife, Cinderella with a ballgown, and Little Red with her famous riding-hood. The stance of each figure also reflects his/her character: the Baker is hopeful, reaching beyond his circle; Red is purposeful, striding outside hers; and Cinderella is cautious, looking backward, entirely circumscribed.

Note: Created poses using multiple references for each person.

Trouble2015 | Graphite Pencil | 14" x 11"  Trouble

2015 | Graphite Pencil | 14" x 11" 

This piece honors my birds—the thirty-odd parakeets I have bred over the years, and my indefatigable lovebird, Gunther. The most challenging component of this piece was capturing the intricacy of each feather and the layers overall.