(3rd Place – Mixed Media)
Title of Art Piece: Smoke Signals
Category: Mixed Media
Student/Artist’s Name: Meagan Lynn
School: Palmer High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement: This year, I have explored a theme of non-duality or connectivity. At a transitional point in life, I am ready to explore new areas of life, but also want to remain in the comfortable environment of my family and friends. I have made many pieces this year that incorporate key aspects of this uncertainty and excitement. This piece is for my best friend Zoë, the woman in this picture. She is older than me and has been a strong role model since our childhood, both artistically and interpersonally. Our relationship is a strong sentiment to the idea of connectivity. Although we live hundreds of miles apart now, she continues to inspire ideas for my art pieces.
This piece is drawn with charcoal on vellum paper with a boarder of birch bark and hemp fiber. Instead of using standard charcoal, I gathered left-over chunks of coal from my family’s wood stove. This found medium was intriguing to work with. It had a very soft texture, especially when applied to the vellum paper. The biggest challenge during this project was the lack of control while using the large chunks of coal. To create fine lines and sharp values, I used a kneaded eraser. Zoë and I share a love for exploring unfamiliar outdoor settings and activities. To accent the woods in this piece, I used birch bark and hemp fiber as a boarder. The mixed media in this piece, the loss of control with the found charcoal and birch bark, symbolizes unfamiliarity and uncertainty. Focussing the work on Zoë improved my personal connection to the creative process.
Art measures 9×9 inches.