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.

Audrey Allred, born in 2007 in Bakersfield, California, has always felt she is someone who was born to express themself creatively. Every challenge and new stage of life brought her closer to her artwork to find that creativity was her outlet to express emotion. Through her struggles with mental illness and family hardships, she discovered that surrealism is the most powerful way to express herself. As an AP art student at Highland High School and Vice President of the art club, Allred actively works to bring more art to her community. She has taught public painting workshops at her school and finds creative ways to integrate art into her school. Allred hopes that every person who comes across her work will find their own personal connection to her paintings and emotionally connect with her art in their own way. 

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

Max Campos was born in 2007 in Bakersfield, CA. He is a transgender male who takes inspiration from his identity and his surroundings. His childhood interests were My Little Pony, Pokémon, and any animated series whether on TV or YouTube. This helped him create his own stories, characters, and express his love for animation and life around him. Over time, his passion for storytelling and art evolved into his current interests in drawing Sonic, punk/alternative music, Arcane, and alternative subcultures. However, some things did change, as he developed an interest in more than just cartoons and began to focus on life and diversity in people. Campos draws inspiration from everyday life, social issues, people on the street or online that he finds interesting: art, queer media, colors, and out-of-the-ordinary things.  

Campos is a mixed media artist varying from acrylic paint markers, paper, pencil, and acrylic paint. His process consists of him observing something that he finds interesting and taking note of style, colors, and/or features and drawing it.  He continues to add to the sketches as time goes on whether it’s more lines of color, stickers, little drawings, or glued on pieces of paper. Most of his art revolves around himself whether it’s a portrait or an emotion he wants to express. He also includes alternative subcultures; he wants himself and out-of-the-ordinary type of styles to be shown. 

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. 

Stevie Gregory, born April 23, 2007, in Bakersfield, California, is an artist and musician who has held a love for fantasy, mystery, and adventure since childhood. Incorporating these themes into her work creates an easier way of expressing and explaining her message. Gregory’s family continues to support her journey through art and music, encouraging her to pursue them in school and work. While fantasy from her childhood influences several aspects of her art, music has put a spin on it as well. Gregory says, “The best lessons I've ever learned were from the disciplines of learning an instrument and playing with others”. With fusions of her lessons from music and childhood love for magic, she creates stories that cradle a personal lesson within. 

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. 

Recalling the countless hours spent painting at Riverwalk with her father while growing up, art has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Maddison Loughry was born on May 13th, 2007, and raised in Bakersfield, CA. Loughry was raised by two incredibly hard-working parents who have encouraged her to pursue her passions even outside of art, whether it be rollerblading or traveling to different places with friends and family. When she makes art, she usually creates her pieces purely for the love and joy of creating, but she also creates works based on culture, wildlife conservation, and nature. Her preferred mediums include paint and graphite, but she has recently found a love for colored pencils against black paper, which is a stark difference from what she is used to. Her process usually involves looking for different references and ideas through photography or from observing her surroundings and people.  

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

Born in 2007 in East Bakersfield, California, Silvia Lozano is an artist who is inspired by Chicano & Oaxaqueño art. Growing up she initially wanted to pursue a soccer career but later discovered her deep love for art. Tattoo artistry is now her main focus. Lozano’s artwork is centered on the importance of representation for background and culture. Her subject matter focuses on the cultural heritage, personal identity, and artistic traditions in tattoo design, even aiming at those who have felt disconnected or ashamed of who they are. She is inspired by the Chicano and Oaxaqueño cultures and draws inspiration from the traditions that mold these two identities. She primarily works with ballpoint pen, graphite pencil, charcoal pencil, and gel pen. By using these materials she's able to create intricate and expressive compositions.   

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 

Rylee Miller, born February 12, 2007, in Bakersfield, CA, is a young artist with a passion for visual storytelling. Currently in the AP Art program at Highland High School, she has been developing her art for the past two years. Last year, she earned a score of 5/5 on her AP Art exam and has had the opportunity to showcase her work publicly. Inspired by animation, intricate details, and high-contrast compositions, Rylee specializes in digital art and silhouetting. She’s influenced by artists like Paul Konewka, a nineteenth century silhouette artist. While she doesn’t always create with a specific message, she hopes her work inspires others, allowing viewers to insert themselves within her pieces 

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 

Abril Ortiz was born on February 13, 2007, the day before Valentine's Day as well as the Superbowl weekend. Growing up, Abril Ortiz preferred participating in stereotypical masculine activities over feminine, watching and playing sports with male relatives rather than dressing up with female relatives. She was always a drawer, but didn’t take art as seriously as she does now. As a child, Ortiz was very interested in sports, looking up to her older brother with admiration. In the third grade she joined her school track team along with her brother. Ortiz continued the sport all the way up until the seventh grade when COVID-19 took over during her season giving everyone a two-year break from school and sports. During her sophomore year of high school Ortiz got into wrestling making it to varsity on her first attempt, without any prior experience. She intends to continue sports, as well as pursue a degree in Visual Arts at Bakersfield College.  

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 

Alec Ramos was born in 2008 in Bakersfield, CA. They use art as a form of self-expression and emotional connection. Music helps them enter a creative flow, allowing them to translate emotions into visual form. Their interest in psychology deepens their understanding of human feelings and relationships. Rather than sticking to one method, they embrace experimentation, exploring different techniques to reflect their evolving perspective. Their work captures themes of emotion and connection in ways that feel both personal and relatable. Through their art, they aim to create a sense of warmth and understanding. 

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 May of 2008 in Los Angeles, Ethan Smith moved to Bakersfield, CA in 2011 with his family. His dad taught him discipline and strategy through sports, while his mom nurtured his creativity and passion for art. Wanting to pursue a career in developing comics and the game industry, he focuses on concept art and character design to create unique worlds and bring stories to life. As an artist, Smith’s work is rooted in many traditional art forms, using paper, pencils, and erasers. He plans on exploring more mediums in the future, taking his artwork to the next level. 

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. 

Like the foundations of a cake, our foundations are shaped by previous generations, influencing both our lifestyle and mental health. Using acrylic paint, I have depicted a subject stuffing their face with cake at a celebration. This act of indulgence symbolizes catharsis—overcoming struggles with eating while reclaiming the simple joys and important moments that eating disorders often take away. Even if we are more predisposed to certain issues, we can overcome them; our foundations do not define us. Like many contemporary artists, my work seeks to represent and destigmatize mental health and neurodivergence, encouraging open conversation through visual storytelling. These topics do not always have to be viewed with discomfort, which is why I chose to represent them with bright, bold colors. I chose to represent how foundations are something that affect us, but not something that defines us. We can have our cake and eat it too: our past influences, our sense of self, but we have the choice to acknowledge it and take control, rather than letting it consume us. 

-Zoey Stafford 

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 

Born in Bakersfield, California in 2007, Camryn Stephens is a high school senior with a focus on art and science. She grew up around art as long as she can remember and has since found art in every corner of life. She finds inspiration particularly in the natural world, specifically animals. Camryn plans to become a livestock veterinarian and keep art as a part of her life. Looking at the way animals move and adapt has informed many of her sculptural pieces, and using animals as symbolism allows her to touch on her own emotional issues throughout her ceramic sculptures. 

Born in 2007 in Bakersfield, CA, Onyx Swenson grew up intrigued by the wonders of music and visual arts. Despite having parents who didn't share in creative expression like Swenson did, this passion became deeply personal. From as far back as they could hold a crayon, pencil, or paintbrush, Swenson created and explored this imaginative practice. At a young age, Swenson also took up drumming and never looked back. Their passion for music complemented their art, driving them forward. Swenson hopes their creative practice will bring attention to overlooked details, offering a fresh perspective. With enthusiasm for art, Swenson plans to become a tattoo artist and muralist. 

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 

As a young girl, born on March 3, 2007, in Bakersfield, California, Rose Vasquez spent hours in a room surrounded by dolls and, with an array of crafting supplies, meticulously crafted items for them. Each piece reflected her imagination and skill. This early passion brought her joy and sparked the foundation for a lifelong love of design and craftsmanship. Since then, she’s always had an interest in drawing and painting. Her passion for creativity now fuels her desire to become an elementary school teacher. Ultimately, she aspires to become an art teacher, sharing her love for creativity and craftsmanship with the next generation, encouraging students to explore their imaginations and develop their artistic skills, just as she did as a child crafting for her dolls. 

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 

Born in 2007 in California, Katelynn Williams has been drawn to art since childhood, using creativity as a way to reflect on her experience and growth. Now, as a young adult, alongside her passion for drawing she also plays the guitar and does more hands-on crafts, finding inspiration in different forms of artistic expression. Major artistic inspirations for Williams are Gustav Klimt and J.C Leyendecker and she strives to learn their techniques. She is very supported by her teachers and loved ones that have helped her come a long way. After high school, Williams will major in art and plans to become a teacher to encourage young minds to do art and teach students how to find their own place in the art world. Through her work, she aims to capture personal experiences and emotions using nostalgia as a way to reflect on her growth and transformation.

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 

Born and raised in Bakersfield since 2007, Ava Zimmerman has always been interested in art, starting out as a toddler doodling in crayon. Ever since, she has actively pursued art, taking classes and experimenting with new techniques on her own. She is also passionate about music, she loves playing guitar and collecting records, which produces an endless source of inspiration. Zimmerman branches out into a variety of artistic mediums but feels most comfortable with oil pastels and acrylic paints. Most of her work is inspired by skeletons and floral patterns which can represent a variety of personal things, such as life, death, and transformation. Each piece develops a unique meaning, always connecting back to emotions. After high school, she plans to attend a UC college with a supportive arts program to help her pursue a career in the arts.