"Reflections" BFA Studio Exhibition - SPRING 2021 - University of Texas Rio ...

“Reflections”

BFA Studio
Exhibition
S P R I N G 2 0 21

XITLALY
VILLANUEVA

Biography
Xitlaly Villanueva is a Studio art major, with special interests
in writing and the creative arts. Driven by her interests, she
takes pride in her ability to merge the two into a new
immersive way of storytelling. As an artist she is constantly
mixing media to find the perfect way to tell a story.

Artist Statement

◦ As a storyteller, I can combine both of my passions, writing and creative arts, together to tell my own
  stories. Rather than aiming to be technically perfect, I strive to give them a sense of life, by focusing on the
  significance of the style and personality behind the pieces. While my color palette is various depending on
  the story, I use various shades to set the tone and, similar to my writings, I often include small details
  within my piece that help tell the story- and my BFA is no different.
◦ Reflecting on the stories I created throughout my time as an undergraduate student, I have decided the
  best story to tell is the one closest to home- myself. My BFA is based on my experience in 2020 as a
  college student and comments on a student’s mental health during Covid-19, and different ways they
  used to escape the difficult times. My artwork is a harmoniously blend of sculptural book nooks and digital
  animation.

How did your personal background influence your BFA Work?

              My personal interests have heavily influenced my BFA work. With a passion for stories and
              animation, it’s no surprise that my BFA ended up being inspired by the two.

              How has your practice changed over time?

              I was mostly self-taught, so a lot of my artwork was very limited to traditional drawing and
              paintings, but after joining the UTRGV College of Art, I was able to grow as an artist. I had
              the opportunities to create art using media that I never would have considered, like jewelry

Questions     or woodworking, and realize that I enjoyed it and that it allowed me to tell stories in a more
              visual way.

for Artists
              Who are your biggest influences?

              I have a lot of influences from traditional artists, illustrators, and animation, but I don’t
              really have anyone particular in mind.

              Does your work comment on current socio-political or economic issues?

              This work comments on the effect of Covid-19 on College students Mental Health during
              2020

              What does your work aim to say?

              As an artist, I have always aimed for my work to tell a story and my BFA was no different.

Artwork
Animation Created by: Xitlaly Villanueva

Music: Childhood Memories, Julie Maxwell
Curator: ccCommunity
Website: http://www.juliemaxwell.com/I found the music on “Free Music Archive.”

ALEXIS RIOS

Biography
My name is Alexis Rios, I am 27 years old, and my main focus
is portraiture. I plan on continuing working as an artist and
honing my skills so that I may explore more mediums while
obtaining clients.

2020 was an unforgiving year that impacted many, my family included. My grandmother on my
            father’s side relied on my heavily, and I the same. As she was bed ridden, it was I who cared for
            her, massaged her, and listened to her stories as I painted her nails and organized her precious
            jewelry for hours. As limited as she was, it was Mama Elvia that provided me with strength
            through her prayers and unconditional love. Even when Alzheimer’s began to chip and rip away
            at who she was, she always sent me off with a bendicion as I knelt by her by her side.

            When Covid swept through the world, I had no idea she would be one of the hundreds of
            thousands that would fall victim to it. When it took my Papa Rodolfo and Mama Soco mere
            months later, both my family and I were plunged into a deep, dark, seemingly bottomless pit of
            inconsolable grief. As the matriarch and patriarch of our family, their love and story drove and
            inspired us all. Papa Rodolfo, despite having a 4th grade education and not owning a pair of
            shoes until he was fourteen, erected multiple successful meat markets, restaurants, and
Artist      businesses. Married for over 50 years, they worked together and did so with utmost pride until
            their passing at eighty-four, on the same day, hours apart.

Statement   My process for this series was done based on instinct driven by my desperate need for closure.
            While the world slowly returns back to normalcy, mine has been forever and irrevocably
            changed. My days, which had previously been filled with Sunday dinners, morning cafecito, and
            pan dulce visits, had suddenly become quiet and stagnant. To not have been allowed to be with
            either of my elders as they each slipped away alone will forever stay with me. As true as it may
            be that I may never forget this empty, stinging loss, so is such that I will never forget to
            celebrate their love and memory.

            As an artist who focuses mostly on portraiture, I explored and incorporated sound, ceramics,
            cardboard, and traditional painting to commemorate my grandparents and, specifically, the
            bond I shared with my grandmothers. This body of work explores loss, grief, and confronting
            memories that both haunt and bring comfort. Using a variety of media; such as soft pastel,
            watercolor, acrylic, and ink, I aim to preserve and immortalize my memories. In doing so, I
            celebrate and honor my elders while reflecting on my growth.

Artwork
La Princesa Y El Don
Watercolor and Soft Pastel

Till Death Do Us Part
Ink on Paper

Querida Abuela, 2015
Watercolor, mixed media

Vulva Pinata
Cardboard, tissue paper, and acrylic

STEPHANIE
DELGADO

Biography
A Visual Journey

My name is Stephanie Delgado I’m 27 years old, I reside in
Mission, Tx. I have a passion to create floral designs and
come to life in their own unique colored style from 3D ceramic
to 2D watercolor painting. Botanical Garden is a style of
nature I love to express and show to others. Graduating with
Honors from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a
Bachelors in Fine Arts. Hopes of teaching students to explore
their creative mind and see the different varieties of the Art
world.

As an artistic professional, I’m always looking for the next opportunity to
            translate what I experience into art. My preferred media is Prisma colors
            for drawing, watercolor for painting and stoneware ceramics. I create
            floral designs in my paintings and in ceramic vases, bas-reliefs pieces,
            bowls etc. with a Botanical Garden. My reason for this style is because I
            grew up with gardens as a child. My grandma had a love for flowers and
            plants. Her front yard would be filled with different flowers also the
            backyard. Learning about different flowers and having patience as they
            bloomed was a big part of my childhood. I believe, that is why I have a love

Artist      to create pieces that incorporate flowers/plants having that visual
            remembrance come to my life of my grandmother's garden. Ceramic
            artworks I’ve created for example, a vase painted with blue orchids around
Statement   the vase in a watercolor style, teapot set with periwinkle flowers painted
            on, roses all around the vase, etc. Flowers have a symbolic language that
            have been recognized for centuries in the Victorian era in Europe,
            prompted by a strong passion for gardens and horticulture, that one of the
            most intricate languages of flowers truly developed. They symbolize
            adoration, dedication, spiritual attainment, flexibility, and opportunities.
            Flowers also represent good luck, wealth, happiness, strength, and
            ambition. As I express through the language of flowers in my pieces and
            share this knowledge to the audience. My love for botanical and nature
            adding a twist to it with color is a way I express and share to others.

How did your personal background influence your BFA work?
              My personal background influenced me to create my theme Botanical Garden in
              remembrance as a child my grandmother having a garden full of different flowers
              and plants and everyday learning about each one and having patience as they
              bloomed it was a special hobby me and my grandmother had together. Incorporating
              floral designs into my pieces to give that botanical garden feel and showing nature’s
              beauty is something that means a lot to me.

              How has your practice changed over time?
              I would say it has improved from where I started from simple sketches to now
              painting with watercolors and finding my way in what I love to do in creating 3-D

Questions     ceramic pieces.

              Who are your biggest influences?

for Artists
              An artist who I look up to by the name of Clare Potter creates ceramic work in
              Botanical Garden love the way she realistically creates floral centerpieces and vases
              with flowers in 3D.

              Does your work comment on current socio-political or economic issues?
              I would say not direct into the socio-political aspect but taking a moment now due to
              covid and pausing the world taking a moment to breath and smell the air. Be outside
              viewing nature see the beautiful scenery of gardens.

              What does your work aim to say?
              My work aims for the audience to view and appreciate nature botanical garden and
              floral designs.

Artwork

Blue Orchid Vase
Stoneware, Glazes
18”
2020

Rose Purity Vase
Stoneware, White Spray
Paint
16”
2021

Artwork
Sunflower Plates
Stoneware, Underglazes
7x7
2021

Blue Periwinkle Plates
Stoneware, Glazes
9x11
2020

Botanical Garden
Stoneware, White
Spray paint, Gold Luster
9x11
2021

CAITLIN AUSBORN

Biography
Caitlin is an emerging mixed media artist from South Texas,
graduating with a Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley. Her works have been shown in various group
exhibitions including Comminos Studio’s Invitational of Emerging
Artists from Around the Valley, the Scenic Arts Festival at the
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, and the
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Theater and Film’s
Halloween Showcase. Additionally, she has had the privilege of
collaborating with artists Donna M. Sweigart and Micol Hebron in
the creation of a 4th Wall augmented reality piece, located above
the border wall at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and
World Birding Center in Hidalgo, Texas. She has previously
interned in the Collections Department at the International
Museum of Art and Science, working closely with objects from
around the world.

My artwork explores the art of healing by embracing the flaws and imperfections of
            life while simultaneously highlighting the ways in which we can work through
            troubled times to grow above and beyond ourselves. It is influenced by the struggles
            of living through a global pandemic and the rise of yet another national civil rights
            movement, acting as a visual representation of my own healing process.

            In this body of work, you will find cutouts from popular magazines of the 1960s and
            1970s, referencing the repeating cycle of history by drawing parallels between then
            and now. Additionally, you will see broken records of the same time period being

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            used to show that we can create beauty from brokenness. Gold leaf adorns each
            piece as yet another symbol of healing, referencing the Japanese art of Kintsugi, or,
            “golden repair,” while florals and an overall sense of feminine energy portray growth
Statement   and new life.

            All of these elements are collaged together in layers upon layers as a reminder of
            the complexity and messiness of the healing process that ultimately creates a more
            beautiful world. It is my hope that this work gives someone else struggling through
            these times the comforting reassurance that we are all going through this together
            and none of us are alone. I encourage you to focus on yourself, stand up for what is
            right, create something wonderful, enjoy the little things, and keep your loved ones
            close, so that you, too, can learn the art of healing.

How did your personal background influence your BFA work?
              My personal background has everything to do with my BFA work. In early 2019, I filed for divorce
              and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life. That entire year was incredibly
              rough for me and it wasn’t until around the holidays that I realized I needed to figure out how to
              heal and make peace with everything. Then, the pandemic hit. By the time it reached the U.S., I
              was paying close attention to my coping habits and working hard at recognizing healthy ones for
              myself. One of those habits became painting, which led me to collage work. I soon realized that I
              wanted to focus on the art of healing for this BFA show, in hopes of passing along what has helped
              me get through the last 2 years and helping someone else find that same peace.

              How has your practice changed over time?
              I’ve always been a mixed media artist, but before the pandemic, my media of choice was pen and
              ink, graphite, and colored pencil. During lockdown, I suddenly felt the need to put my brushes to

Questions
              canvas and start painting. I found that I much prefer the vibrancy and playfulness of paint. After I
              liked what I had created, I decided to cut out figures from my collection of vintage magazines and
              my work began to evolve into collage.

for Artists   Who are your biggest influences?
              One of my favorite collage artists has always been Eugenia Loli. The retro flare she adds to her
              surrealism collage work really is a treat! Other artists that have influenced me are Wayne Thiebaud
              for his use of texture, Ashley Longshore for her use of color and pattern, and finally Stuart Semple
              for his humor, activism, and incredible line of “The World’s Artiest Art Materials.”

              Does your work comment on current socio-political or economic issues?
              My work is definitely influenced by politics and this particular body of work touches on current
              social issues. I mostly use female figures in my pieces to keep a focus on the importance of
              women and women’s rights, celebrating our accomplishments while commenting on how far we
              have yet to go. I touch on civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights and protections, as well, and have plans to
              include more diverse figures in future projects for a better representation of humanity.

              What does your work aim to say?
              I want my work to encourage and uplift others, to let them know they are not alone; no matter what
              it is they are facing, they will always have someone in their corner.

Artwork
Caitlin Ausborn
“Who Am I”
Mixed Media on Canvas
18 x 24

Caitlin Ausborn
“Know Justice, Know Peace”
Mixed Media on Canvas
14 x 14

Caitlin Ausborn
“The Beauty of Healing”
Mixed Media on Canvas
36 x 36

Caitlin Ausborn
“Life is a Banquet”
Mixed Media on Canvas
18 x 24

Caitlin Ausborn
“Take it Easy”
Mixed Media on Canvas
14 x 14

SHEYLA
MONTANEZ

Biography
Hello my name is, Sheyla Montanez, I was born in McAllen, Tx in
March 1997. I graduated high school from Idea College
Preparatory in San Juan. In High School, I have been involved in
my art classes, well-motivated and inspired by my Art Teacher,
Cristina Correa. My teacher would help me a lot in my arts and
gave me great experiences by letting me participate in Art
competitions, exhibitions and selling Artwork at an auction.
Therefore, I am majoring in Studio Arts at the University of Texas
at Rio Grande Valley for my bachelors of Fine Arts. Learning about
photography and visiting many photography studios, inspired me
to have my own photography studio in the future. As having a
supportive family and friends, always by my side, I am ready to
face opportunities and new experiences.

Your personality changes as you are growing and learning from the
            surroundings. I noticed the changes of a person's personality as they are
            growing up. I became an aunt this past year to two beautiful baby girls.
            Since then I've been watching them grow and develop their own
            personality. Therefore, led me to think about so much of the idea of
            growth. I learned that it is hard to raise a baby so you have to take baby
            steps or learning from the mistakes is part of life. My sister in law is very
            smart, caring and fun and my brother is very strict and protective, so
            from the influence and the routine she has, set my nieces to become

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            who they are. I believe that from the surroundings, it influences people’s
            view of life. Because as we grow older we face challenges, experiences
            and that impacts a person’s view of life. So, it really made me think

Statement   about what makes us be like the way we are. There are many ways to
            make a person grow. The influences from other people, traditions,
            culture you follow and the habits and experiences. As we all started as a
            baby to get fed and change to learning to be big.

            I want to create portraits of my nieces using linoleum printmaking. I want
            two prints from each of my nieces in small prints in two colors and one
            big size print from each niece in black. The smaller prints will be small
            and in different colors while the other two will be in black to stand out
            the larger scale prints in the middle of the smaller scale prints that will
            be colored. In hope to give yourself a reminder of when you were a baby,
            you came a long way to be who you are right now.

Artwork
“Newborn Lyanna Nicole”
Block printmaking Linoleum
12’’ x 18’’

“Newborn Madelyn Joy”
Block printmaking Linoleum
12’’ x 18’’

Lyanna Nicole’s portrait in red
Block printmaking Linoleum
9’’ x 12’’

Lyanna Nicole’s portrait in pink
Block printmaking Linoleum
9’’ x 12’’

Madelyn Joy’s portrait in pink
Block printmaking Linoleum
9’’ x 12’’

Madelyn Joy’s portrait in red
Block printmaking Linoleum
9’’ x 12’’

EARL RICH-
AVALOS

Biography
Born and raised July 29,1998 in Edinburg, Texas. I grew up on
the outskirts of Edinburg, more towards Alamo and San
Carlos. I lived in an old house built during the 50s on Texas
Road. We had horses at the time because of my father. His
life work dealt with horses daily, even to this day. I grew up
around his work of horseshoeing, going to many different
places around the “country” side of Edinburg. The rancho-
style type homes and lifestyle. Completely different from what
I am used to now living in the city. I moved to the city around
2013-2014. This was a drastic change for myself and my
family as my parents got divorced at this time. Me and my
brother stayed with our mom in the city. Leaving behind the
rancho-style lifestyle. I did not find art until much later on
during college, I would draw ever once in awhile during the
time.

In middle school and high school, I would take art elective classes for
enjoyment. Nothing came from it at the time. I did not consider art as a
path to follow as I thought I was okay at it. Average at best to be
honest. I found out that I did like to draw more than anything or was
more comfortable in the media. As I started college in 2016, I
struggled a lot to find myself and follow a path strictly. Most of my time
was spent taking care of my basics and taking intro classes of degree
plans that I was trying to follow at the time. I went from computer
engineer to math major, and then to a teaching major. While following
that path of teaching I found that I would be disappointed in the whole
education system. I notice that at the time as I was trying to find
myself, I was drawing a lot more on my own. Before class and after
class, drawing abstract pen expressive drawings. I did not know at the
time what they were. I was drawing to draw I thought. Something
opened up at that moment, a friend of mine had told me he was taking
art classes in an off-main campus building that was consider the art
department.

I never even knew there was an art department at the time as it is
secluded off-main campus. As soon as I heard about it, I went straight
to my advisor at the time to immediate change my degree plan for the
fourth and final time as a BFA Studio Art’s major. As I started the art
degree plan, I immediately found myself. It took some time to adjust to
it, as the art department has its characters. However, it was barely just
the beginning I still did not have the strong will about drawing or any
idea what my work should be focus on. It was not until intermediate
drawing class. The process of drawing the human muscle anatomy
consume me. I grew to love and hate it however. Love it because it
brough out my potential in drawing. Hate it because I felt tied to it.
Could not get away from it. I tried to run away or change from it. But, at
last I arrived to just embraced and accepted it. It is now my work, my
devotion in art. This is and was the process of how my work came to be
as you see it today. Drawing the building blocks of the human body. It
is so beautiful what we all have inside of us. How it functions and
makes us who we are as a species. This is the fundamental idea
behind my work and devotion to it.

Ever since my youth, I had enjoyed drawing the muscles of superheroes that I
              appreciated at the time. The Incredible Hulk, Spider-man, and even though “it”
              is not a superhero, the Predator. Drawing all their profound chest muscles and
              six pack abs to my best rendered at the time. But since my childhood I lost
              that focus on drawing. As years went on, I grew to find a devotion over art,
              primarily the process of drawing the anatomy of the human body. Primordial is
              the beginning, the basic building blocks of all. The first divine beings. This
              definition applies to myself and my artwork. My drawings and future topics will
     Artist   be built upon this idea of primordial. Alternating the muscles, I draw with mind
              and anatomy put together in a bleak, warped rendition. Changing the tissues

Statement     and fibers of some muscles and adding on to the frame of others. Done so in
              a style of graphite line hatching. A slow time consuming process I enjoy doing
              and find myself most comfortable with.

              I would be instigated and motivated to look at artists of the past that would
              express this concept in a beautiful and lustful way. Such artists like Peter Paul
              Rubens, Michelangelo, and George B. Bridgeman. I along my artwork will
              experiment along the way doing so with the concept of mind and anatomy.
              Primarily doing so in drawing mediums. Showing and referring to my “own”
              traditional style of the art with line hatching.

Artwork

ANGEL
CARRIZALES

Biography
Art is what I eat, breathe, and love. My name is Evangelica
Carrizales, but I have been called “Angel” since birth. I was born
in South Bend, Indiana but my family moved down to Texas when
I was very young, so I was raised here. I am an art major at the
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and currently working on my
BFA in Studio Art. I also graduated with an Associate Degree in
Visual Arts from South Texas College. I am a single mother of a
wonderful teenage boy that loves art as well. Working for the
school district for so many years has made me want to take it to
the next level and I now want to become an art teacher. I want to
teach children what I have learned and hopefully open their eyes
to the beauty of art. I see myself making art for the rest of my life
and hope to learn about it until I leave this world.

These paintings have an emotional inspiration. All my life I have always been daddy’s little
              girl. It was not until about 12 years ago that I began to get to really know my mother. She
              finally began to reveal to me who she really was and told me about her life. She is
              incredibly beautiful inside and out, strong and a survivor. There is a story behind each of
              these acrylic paintings. I dedicate them to her, because she was the only one that never
              gave on me when everyone else did.

              During my life struggles friends and family slowly drifted away from me and my life. I used
              to drink too much wine and it just made people in my life disappear. You will see that I
              made the wine painting smaller than the rest of pieces because drinking made me feel
              small. My mother was the only one that stood by me and did not judge me. She started to

     Artist   tell me how my life was like hers, except she did not drink, as she grew up into motherhood.
              She was very understanding of what I was going through. She spoke to me about similar
              situations in her past. I can testify that her journey has helped me with mine.

Statement     These paintings represent her life, except for the wine one that represents mine. She was
              extremely poor as a child and the dress she is wearing in “The Dress” painting is one of the
              two dresses she owned in which she wore every other day to school. Her older sister would
              bully her so bad that one day my mother finally got revenge and shoved a dirty sock in her
              sister's mouth: hence the painting “Dirty Sock.”

              My mother later became a wonderful ballet dancer and then a successful nurse. Since she
              hung up her ballet dancer shoes to become a mother. I painted the shoes that represent a
              new beginning. The nurse’s hat floating on water represents “a new journey through life.”
              She is a wonderful, smart, and beautiful person. I have learned so much from her and I
              hope that I age gracefully as she is doing.

How did your personal background influence your personal BFA work?
              My BFA was all influenced by my personal background. I have had a hard mid to late 20s
              adult life and my mother was there for me make feel better when I was at my worst. I was
              doing very well at hiding my issues and problems until they became so Bad that everyone
              started to take notice. My mother was the one that did not judge me nor gave up on me.

              How has your practice changed over time?
              My work has changed throughout the years. Before my artwork was based on something
              someone would tell me to do or something I saw and thought was “pretty.” I draw and
              paint what I feel and things that are part of my life now.

Questions     Who are your biggest influences?
              Life any other art lover I have my favorite famous artist. My favorites include: Herni

for Artists
              Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Dali and other modern artists. My biggest influence though is My life
              and surroundings. Things that happen in my life, I like to put onto paper or on canvas.

              Does your work comment on current socio-political or economic issues?
              As I mentioned in my previous answers, my work reflects what goes on around me. I
              Usually do not get involved in politics nor economic issues unless they have to do with Me
              or someone close to me.

              What does your work aim to say?
              My work says what is going on in my life, what I have been doing, what I have Done in my
              past, etc. My work will express feelings or things that I don’t want to Say out loud and want
              to keep to myself.

Artwork

          “Wine in Destruction” 16”x20” acrylic 2021   “The Dress” 18”x24” acrylic 2021

“Hanging Shoes”   “Dirty Sock”
18”x24”           18”x24”
acrylic           acrylic
2021              2021

“The Floating Hat”
acrylic
18”x24”
2021

CLARISSA
BARAJAS

Biography
My name is Clarissa Anne Zarate, I am a 52-year-old artist
and have been a commissioned artist for over 30 years. My
forte is painting in oils and acrylic. My future goals are to
become an art professor at the University level.

To have wisdom is something many aspire to have and pray for
              but not always attained. I have met many people in my lifetime
              that are wise and whose advice I cherish and remember from
              time to time. Therefore, for my BFA series of paintings I have
              chosen to paint three popular women that I love and feel need to
              be acknowledged for their wise sayings they have left behind for
              us to take to heart. The three women I chose were Mexican artist
              Frida Kahlo, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and the great
     Artist   poet and author Maya Angelou. My favorite Frida saying is “At the
              end of the day we can endure much more than we think we
Statement     can.” Eleanor said, “Well behaved women rarely make history"
              and Maya said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then
              when you know better, do better.” These three sayings have
              stayed with me since the first time I read them. In all three of the
              paintings, I have included a set of pearl earrings and a necklace
              on them because pearls signify wisdom. These beautiful women
              are the inspiration for my series.

How did your background influence your BFA work?
              My BFA series was influenced by my love of Frida and by the way I, like many women draw
              from her strength and the wise words and sayings she left behind. Like those words of
              wisdom and Hispanic sayings my mother has taught me throughout my life, I wanted to paint
              three strong and wise women from three diverse cultures.

              How has your practice changed over time?
              Like most artists we start off by drawing using graphite then gradually try new mediums. I
              am a diverse artist and like to mainly paint in oils, but also love acrylic paint and
              soft pastels.

Questions     What does your work aim to say?
              I hope that the viewer is able to see the beauty of these women and can remember the
              words they once spoke and have left written for us. The pearls they wear signify the wisdom

for Artists
              they all had. Many times, they are forgotten and overlooked and my purpose is to show their
              beauty.

              How does your work comment on current social or political issues?
              I believe that on a social level these women show other women that wisdom, like strength
              and beauty are attainable. There is a saying that says “Do not throw your pearls to the
              swine”. We as women must value ourselves and remember to pass on these words of
              wisdom to future generations.

              Who are your biggest influences?
              My mother is my biggest influence but artistically I would say it is Frida Kahlo, Michelangelo
              Merisi de Caravaggio, Andy Warhol and Romero Britto.

Artwork
Frida In Pearls
Oil and Acrylic on Gallery Canvas
3’x4’
2021

Eleanor In Pearls
Oil and Acrylic on Gallery Canvas
3’x4’
2021

Maya In Pearls
Oil and Acrylic on Gallery Canvas
3’x4’
2021

MARIANA PRADO

Biography
My name is Mariana Prado, I am a 20 year old artist originally
from Reynosa, Tamaulipas. I focus on traditional art such as
oil painting, drawing, and other 3D mediums.

Being Catholic is a huge part of my family’s definition of
            being Mexican, but I have always felt a disconnect to this
            part of my culture. Therefore, in this body of work I am
            incorporating Mexican and Catholic imagery into my
            practice, something I have never done before, in order to
            seek a bond with this aspect of my heritage. My work
            consists of human and animal portraits, flora and fauna,

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            and more often than not mushrooms. Color plays an
            important role in my art; by creating these colorful worlds
            I escape reality. My backgrounds portray an abstract
Statement   environment in which my subjects live. I strive to include
            my Mexican culture to my oeuvre; while still staying true
            to my practice.
                   By portraying what has pushed me away from my
            spirituality; I am becoming closer to it. I have found a new
            connection to my culture; as I have experienced aspects
            of my tradition I had usually kept away from. I now have a
            newfound interest in Mexican culture.

How does your personal background influence your BFA work?
              My personal background plays a major role in this body of work; I am
              incorporating aspects of my Mexican heritage into my work. Striving to
              portray a part of my background I tend to shy away from.

              How has your practice changed over time?
              Over time my practice has turned consistent both in medium, subject,
              and style.

Questions
              Who are your biggest influences?
              The biggest influence for this body of work has been my family. I have
              always been surrounded by Mexican culture, but the past year (due to

for Artists   covid) I have been closer to it more than ever.

              Does your work comment on socio political or economic issues?
              My work comments mainly on identity and religious issues.

              What does your work aim to say?
              My work speaks to me on a very personal level; however, I believe there
              are many people who relate to what I go through. The disconnect
              between my culture and the religious aspect of it is a big one. When your
              family makes you feel like you are

Artwork
“La Arena Estaba Estaba de Bote en Bote”
Mixed media
22x34”

“Amorcito Corazón”
Mixed Media
20x24”

“Dulce Compañía”
Oil on wood panel
10x20”

“Nichos”
Mixed media
4x7”

MAEHR
MICHELLE HERNANDEZ

Biography
As a distressed soul, I turn my memories
into artworks. Not to represent my life but
to add a layer of personal meaning that it
is not visible to the naked eye. It is
because of my dreadful and joyful
experiences that I am able to create art.
However, my artwork is not a
representation of my life instead they are
the consequences and inspiration of my
existence. Hence if the viewer sees a
different interpretation than the real
meanings of the artwork then so be it. My
art is not for depiction but for inspiration.

In this series of work, I have decided to
            create artwork that represents the start of
            the new decade. “ID Crisis” signifies the
Artist      unblurred line of oneself which creates an
            urgency of “Escaping” reality onto
Statement   cyberspace; Creating a false sense of
            “Salvation” that ones’ humanity has towards
            the cyberworld to ultimately lead into a
            “Toxic” relationship towards reality.

Artwork
“Escapism”
Digital Collages
9”x12”

“ID Crisis”
Digital Collages
9”x12”

“Salvation”
Digital Collages
9”x12”

“Toxic”
Digital Collages
9”x12”