This piece offers viewers a window into my past, inviting them to step into my childhood memories and experience the emotions that shaped me. My painting is a depiction of the years I spent witnessing my mother battle substance abuse and mental illness, and the effect it had on my childhood. I am executing this with detailed brushwork using my strongest medium, acrylic paint on canvas. While developing my work, my end goal was to create something that viewers will see and immediately feel as if they were placed into my childhood. I want my art to give the public an immersive experience where they will not only see but feel the emotions that I felt as a young child growing up in the environment I have painted. My childhood and personal struggles with mental illness are what influence my art the most. Every piece I create stems from a personal experience or battle I have overcome. This specific painting dives into the foundation of what made me who I am and stem from childhood experiences with my mother. The constant detrimental relationship shaped me into the artist and person I am today. I want people to understand how personal my art is to me. I hope every person that comes across any art piece I have created sees that they are all a representation of my mind and my soul placed onto a canvas. I hope in this space my art stands out as a raw, emotional illustration of my past.

My artwork explores the connection between my younger self (at age eight to nine) to when I undergo top surgery in the future. It reflects my growth, acceptance, and identity. I began by sketching drafts, referencing older or recent photos of myself and studying live models to capture human figures and poses accurately in my style. This piece reflects the journey of self-acceptance, particularly from a queer and transgender perspective. I want to represent a moment where my younger self embraces my older self in a comforting and accepting way rather than shame or embarrassment. This piece also represents me after top surgery, which is why there are bandages on the chest, and embracing who I was formerly, acknowledging that I was once a little girl and accepting the journey of my transition into the person I was meant to be. The coloring for younger me is different hues of pink because pink is stereotypically associated with feminism while older me is in different hues of blue, a color typically associated with boys. The reason for my piece is to show growth both mentally and physically, acceptance, queerness, and change. More personally, I want to express the feelings of my younger self, seeing who we’ll be, and her feeling at ease instead of feeling embarrassment and sadness. As a child, especially in middle school and younger, I felt different, mentally and physically, and struggled to understand why. I was always filled with embarrassment and sadness. Creating this piece is my way of releasing that shame, transforming it into acceptance and love. My greatest artistic influences come from life itself, people I see, art I come across, and everyday experiences. I am drawn to unique styles, expressive features, and subtle or loud ways people present themselves to the world. 

-Max Campos

Foundations are what builds and shapes a person. How you handle life, the people you surround yourself with, and the roads you choose to take create a foundation.  

The first painting is a woman surrounded by silk and luxuries. Within her hands, she plays a harp. As a musician, harps are very angelic, giving off a sound of serenity. In the background you see her story, her experiences, choices, and adventures that formed a foundation. The second painting is a scraggly man surrounded by rags and dust. As you peer inside his surroundings, you find his choices and the outcome of bad decisions, his foundation. Included is a cello, a very beautiful instrument, but its dark rich sound depicts a deep sadness, which enhances the message.  

I use symbolisms, my love for magic, and techniques inspired by Caravaggio to define the theme. Just as you would open and read a book, looking upon my work you can read the story held within the paint strokes. My personal life experiences influence the items and symbolisms held within the characters’ surroundings. I chose to acknowledge the fact that people know fantasy isn't real, in life we make scenarios or illusions that are appealing but soon discover their hollowness. Sometimes, we get lost in these fake worlds, losing ourselves to their charm. I added this aspect into my works by setting the characters in castles. You can either acknowledge the illusion and thrive or live in a sickly-sweet dream. The use of colors and intense lighting, inspired, by Caravaggio, has the perfect impact on the theme. Making the lighting primarily focus on the characters helps to define the outcome of their choices. I want people to see that despite the choices you make, you can end up in a bad situation and that there's always room for change. You can always try to surround yourself with something good, even if you don't want to change, these choices can make you beautiful. Even if you're in a good space and you have a beautiful character, you still have impurities that blur your image, but these things don't make you an ugly or terrible person. It was just a road you had to take to become the person you are. The faired skinned woman isn't as fair as she appears, and the washed-out man still has some glimmer or color. 

This piece celebrates Vietnamese culture, how I started embracing my heritage as a child, and what pushed me to do so. Looking back, I have a distinct memory that stands out to me; watching the Lunar New Year lion dance, an experience that sparked my deeper connection to my culture, and I replicated that image I have in my mind in a painting. Additionally, I am using two paper umbrellas as a canvas to incorporate symbols of Vietnam and further express its beauty. Artistically, I hope my work brings comfort and gives a sense of peace when viewing it. My work is meant to be comforting to me personally, or to the people I gifted the work to. This desire has been deeply influenced by my parents' support, which has shaped my identity and also encouraged my creativity, inspiring me to create and keep working toward my goals. I choose to show the beauty of my culture and not have it suppressed. This piece shows a memory of the Lunar New Year lion dance I watched as a child. This event is a core memory for me and serves as the foundation for who I am today. 

This artwork was created using a combination of ballpoint pen, gel pen, charcoal pencil, and graphite, resulting in a variety of textures and added depth. The work honors the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, as well as children of Oaxaqueño descent, particularly those who may not have grown up there but continue to carry its cultural heritage. My mother’s side of the family, alongside my boyfriend and his family, have inspired this piece. Through them I have gained a deeper understanding of Oaxaqueño culture, and I am grateful for the perspective that was given to me by them. Through this piece I want to highlight the importance of cultural representation. I do hope to inspire others to take pride in their heritage and embrace their identities without fear. This art piece is a tribute to the hard-working people of Mexico, particularly those who are from Oaxaca, who come to new lands hoping to have a better life for their families. Their resilience and dedication deserve recognition and representation in art. 

-Silvia Lozano

My work explores the human connection to nature through the art of silhouetting, combining the shape of figures with detailed scenery to create visually compelling narratives. With the use of digital techniques and mixed media, I aim to remind the viewer of the importance of nature. Everyone is grounded by nature, and I want my piece to evoke a sense of enchantment and mystery, as nature should be more revered since without it, we wouldn’t be here. I am drawn to silhouetting because I believe strong contrast is one of the most powerful techniques in art because it allows one to focus on the silhouette and what surrounds it, making it easier for others to recognize and/or appreciate both sides. Silhouetting is an undervalued technique in contemporary art, and I want to reintroduce and inspire others to explore its potential for storytelling. My work is deeply influenced by animation and literature, both of which emphasize storytelling and visual impact. I am particularly inspired by Paul Konewka, whose mastery of silhouetting has shaped my approach to composition and narrative depth. 

-Rylee Miller 

A lot of my inspiration comes from iconic pop culture moments and daily life. I enjoy juxtaposing objects and backgrounds that normally wouldn't go together. Cluttered with subjects coming at you, similar to the feeling of anxiety, with many objects and characteristics all at once splattered onto the canvas. I illustrate with vibrance, pop, and installations to show materials that aren't typically used, like neon colors for example. The bright colors represent a childlike perspective. The type of imagery you would find in a child's fantasy book: a fairytale, magical scene, a dream, bunnies in the clouds, or snakes in fast-food meals. Well known figures like Albert Einstein, Cleopatra, Kayne West, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, even Dr. Suess and Miss Frizzle (from The Magic School Bus) have left an impact on my creative thinking. My work reflects my perspective and the experiences I went through during childhood. The imagery I used is meant to be unexpected. My artwork can come across as confusing, stunned, or uncomfortable with multiple subjects being thrown into one piece with little to no wording. I prefer for my audience to deeply look at my piece and think about the meaning, leaving the audience to interrupt their own definition of the meaning behind the painting.  

-Abril Ortiz 

My piece depicts a person staring into a shattered bathroom mirror, their reflection broken and unrecognizable. Sentimental items crowd the sink, reminders of who they are, yet they only see what’s missing, what they aren’t. The gloomy atmosphere mirrors the weight of overthinking, the struggle between self-perception and reality. In this piece, real glass fragments pull the viewer in, making them part of the scene and forcing them to confront their own reflection. I am emphasizing the frustration of feeling lost and reminding others that identity isn’t something to be solved, you are enough as you are. 

-Alec Ramos 

My work reflects the foundation of who makes me a person. This piece shows the many things that define me: my interests, hobbies, and who I am. Painting the artwork on canvas allows me to express intricate details of my identity. Being raised from a family full of artists, my mom encourages me to pursue a visual arts career by providing me materials and involvement to push my creativity. I also look up to my uncle, Harlod, whose art inspires me, from his skill and the amount of detail he puts in his art. I want to highlight the small yet meaningful connections that bring people together, even among those who are different. I believe everyone can find a common ground in shared experiences, passions, and creative expression. 

-Ethan Smith 

Born in 2008, Zoey Stafford has lived in Bakersfield, CA her entire life. She is mainly a digital artist, focusing on character artwork and animation, but also enjoys painting with acrylics and watercolors. No matter the medium, she chooses to represent the human form in her art due to its raw emotion and closeness to every individual who views it. She has always had an interest and passion for animation and cartoons and hopes to work as a storyboard artist and character designer one day. As a child, she constantly read fantasy novels, which inspired her to write and illustrate her own stories. This sparked a love of storytelling through art. Inspired by fantasy and mental health, she strives to represent the beauty in differences and encourage people to become comfortable with the uncomfortable aspects of human life. With this, she hopes to destigmatize discussions of difficult or taboo topics. 

My work reflects my journey of self-discovery—growing up without a solid sense of identity and the process of breaking free to embrace my true self.  I sculpted a chameleon; an animal known for its ability to shift and change its appearance to survive. It is partially decomposed to show parts of me are no longer in control but still with me. The flowers blooming from the corpse symbolize my growth from the rubble. The butterfly is a symbol of metamorphosis. I have always wanted to tell my story and find where my work fits in the grander scheme of things and have found that art gives me the voice with which to do so. My influences are people who wouldn't even consider themselves artists. I find that there are so many people out in the world with so much art in their lives and in those people, I find my inspiration. I want people to understand my personal struggle and find some hope away from my work. My work tells a story while trying to inspire hope as well as telling my own personal story.

-Camryn Stephens 

My work explores the deep connection between emotions and experiences, emphasizing the value of every feeling and perspective. I aim to illuminate how every experience is essential to our future. As we navigate our journey in life, everything we experience becomes part of us, whether we realize it or not, and it further helps us grow as an individual. I incorporate mixed media techniques layering different textures that correspond to different memories to better mirror the complex human emotions being portrayed. I encourage the viewer to interact with this subject through a new lens, challenging preconceived ideas and fostering deeper understanding. Foundations can express different themes but ultimately reflect shared human experiences and demonstrate how emotions connect us despite our individual journeys. My hope is that viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of our emotions and experiences. May this inspire empathy and understanding and serve as a reminder that mistakes are opportunities for growth. 

In this piece, the base center painting is laid down with acrylic paint, depicting a star's death and a cell's birth. I aim to show the unity and continuous cycle of life and death as a broader perspective on foundations, focusing on cosmic and universal aspects rather than personal experiences. Applying impasto, I added texture through thick layers of paint with a pallet knife or brush to visually explore the connection between divine oneness and the foundational elements of existence. The choice of blue and purple shades is deliberate, as they work to evoke a sense of calmness and spiritual connection. Blue symbolizes tranquility and depth, while purple represents spirituality and transformation. The colors and texture create a sense of movement, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and death. Inspired by Manhardeep Singh's book 12 Laws of The Universe, it is believed that the 12 universal laws are the immutable formations of our world. “The first and most fundamental law of the universe is the Law of Divine Oneness. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. It says that beyond our senses, every thought, action, and event has something to do with everything else.” (Singh, 2021).  Many cultures see the cosmos as interconnected. In some Native American traditions, stars are viewed as ancestors and their death symbolizes a transition to a new existence. Spiritually, transformation is emphasized. Scientifically, a star's death through a supernova creates essential elements for life, which eventually form planets and molecules, leading to the birth of cells. I want viewers to understand that life and death are separate concepts but also parts of a continuous cycle. Actions are meaningful; they genuinely matter and can make a difference. Everything that exists - both seen and unseen - are interconnected, creating an inseparable unity within a realm of divine oneness. “Be mindful of your thoughts, actions, and behavior, for they send waves throughout the universe, and since we're all connected, what goes around comes back around in some form.” (Manhardeep Singh, 2021).

-Rose Vasquez 

The theme of this painting is somewhat nostalgic, reminiscing and appreciating how far I’ve come. This is inspired by my love of making paper doll characters in my childhood which sparked my love for drawing people, like I do today. In the painting, I am using the paper dolls to reconstruct childhood memories that shaped me as an artist. My creative process begins with a sketch and an underpainting using a photo reference to capture the right atmosphere. The subject matter of this piece is specifically about my childhood. The different scenes playing out in each room represent me recalling memories that make up my artist journey and how my childhood played a role in my lifelong passion for art. My previous art teacher, Mrs. Brown, played a major role in my growth as an artist. Her encouragement, whether through teaching me new techniques or giving me extra sketchbooks so I’d have more room to work, really showed me the impact an art mentor can have. This experience fuels my own goal of inspiring and teaching future students. My work explores the themes of identity, childhood, and memories; however, I translate my personal story through the way my child self would have shown you, and the painting is somewhat through her eyes. This piece is also about how far encouraging young minds can take them. My work highlights the profound impact of childhood experiences and how even small moments can shape a person's foundation and sense of self. I am open to discussing all aspects of my work because I believe art is a conversation, and sharing my process helps others connect with their own memories and experiences. 

-Katelynn Williams 

A person’s education, or lack thereof, irrevocably defines the foundations of who they are. Unfortunately, the current system of teaching in America often leaves students behind, which impacts the rest of their lives and keeps them from achieving their full potential. My piece represents a classroom filled with students, but some of them are left undrawn, never taught or noticed by those around them, emphasizing the absence of these students in the world. The way they are left plain and flat directly contrasts the colorful, texturally vibrant students around them who were able to achieve their potential within the education system. In showing this work to the world, I hope to shed light on the public education structure which I have seen fail so many of my peers. It is one that emphasizes grades and tests over understanding and is directly formulated to lift up the already successful and leave the struggling further behind. 

-Ava Zimmerman