Boeretto is an Italian artist born in 1976, currently working in Venice. Using a range of materials from glass wool, bark, resin, and sand, she creates different sculptural pieces that bring a sense of wonder. Her work stood out to me due to the strong incorporation of butterflies, which I think can bring almost anyone joy. She has many pieces that are dreamcatchers she has created with butterflies and different materials. Seeing the swirl of beautiful wings and different colors is truly fascinating, I love the uniformity of it all coming together. The way she incorporates the same materials into the tree sculptures brings all of her work into the same light. In an interview she states that, “I believe in language that creates new forms through a strong symbiosis between technique and content. I believe in the work that obscures a standardizing light. I always start with the need to translate content or visions into form. This need leads to the search to find the right strategies, the ways to give voice to the image to be created.”

Schuiten is a producer, writer, & comic book artist born in 1956 in Belgium. He has many works that convey a majestic feeling, almost a divine energy, famously known for The Obscure Cities, where humans live in independent city states, each characterised by a distinctive architectural style and civilization. He has a strong inspiration from architecture (especially since both of his parents were one) , city spaces and art deco. Drawings by Schuiten appear to have a universe within them. His ability to create depth and stretch out different landscapes is inspiring. His comic books stories have a strong focus on architecture, architects, and specific buildings he has made up. The first comic he published was by the age of 16. Expanding into new mediums he has even developed subway stations and a pavilion in Lisbonne.

My process began with me cutting up different shapes, patterns, faces and symbols from different magazines. I cut out anything that was appealing or interesting to me. After having a supply of cut out images I began pasting them onto a canvas. It was fun trying to make everything come together in a uniform way. Throughout pasting, I placed different meanings onto the images I was creating, it felt as if my subconscious was working through these random images to make a specific meaning for myself, which in turn was therapeutic. It was satisfying pasting everything and using my creativity to make this collage. I would like to come back to it one day and add more acrylic paint around the outside.

Peter Kogler was born in 1959 in Austria. His work features paintings, film, and some computer generated art but he is most famously known for his spacial art that engulfs the viewer in the work. Kogler transforms spaces such as lobbies, galleries, and transit centers into psychedelic, atmospheric patterns and lines. When I look at the examples below, it feels as if you are walking through a different dimension, especially with how the walls appear to bend. Most of the works done on walls like this feature black, white and red, creating strong contrast within the paintings. It is a special thing when an artist is able to place the viewer into their artwork like this.

Cake- oil pastel

I love dessert and sugar so I thought it would be a fun idea to attempt an atmospheric drawing of bakery items.

Tanaami is a Japanese artist born in 1936, well known for his style of pop art during the post-World War II era. He is also a graphic designer, illustrator, video artist and fine artist. He uses imagery from pop culture and different references for the 20th century in America. Many of his works are made with color pencils, others use collage, silkscreen, oil paint and sculpture. Much of his work revolved around the psychedelic craze in the 60’s, erotic paintings during the 70’s and soon after Tanaami became the first art director of Japanese Playboy Magazine. At some point in his life he had a near death experience and his work began to center around the idea of ‘Life and Death’.

Here is a link to an interesting interview with Tanaami by Hype Beast Magazine.

Hi my name is Juli Quiroga. My major is Psychology and I have a minor in Art. I will be graduating this semester! My favorite medium is acrylic paint and I love using bright, saturated colors mixed with patterns in many of my paintings. I love how vibrant acrylic paint can be. When I was younger my Dad would always draw me photos and sort of taught me how to draw. I used to draw with pencil a lot more than I do now, so I am excited to get back into that side of art. I’m really excited to take this class and work on the upcoming projects. One thing that I am a bit nervous about is the fast paced aspect of the class but I think it will push me to become more creative.