Hammond High School
David Larson
Grade: 11 Course: Photo II Title: On the Road… Medium: Digital Image Instructor: Matthew Blanch Artist Statement During the pandemic I began to learn more about the American trucking industry through watching semi-trucks at work on the highways, in industrial areas, and at truck stops. However, I wasn't often able to watch trucks loading or unloading, being fueled, or driving at night. To get photos such as these I began to turn towards taking photos of model trucks on dioramas I'd built. I've been building models for two years, inspired by the work and photographs from famous model builders such as John Allen (who built one of the most detailed and famous model railroads in history). Much of my model work and dioramas explore things such as the automation of the trucking industry, the complex logistics operations that trucks play a part in, and how truckers make the most out of the space in the cab. I often make my models using either model kits or by scratch building them with balsa wood or styrene stock. All models are built in 1:87 scale, which is smaller than a matchbox car. When I build truck models I prefer to build trucks that were on the road during the 1980's and 1990s, mostly because that's what I saw on the road when I was growing up. That feeling of nostalgia is often incorporated in my model photographs. My goal as an artist is to make art that instills deep thought in the viewer, while also giving a sense of nostalgia. |
Cassandra Lassey
Grade: 11 Course: Art 3 Ap Title: I Don’t Want that One Mommy Medium: Alcohol Maker and Colored pencils Instructor: Raissa Rosenbaum Artist Statement Perception and perspective. Have you ever thought about what influences you? What sets the standards and stereotypes to the way we see ourselves, the way we talk, what we value, and all up to what we see as beauty. In my pieces, I wanted to show just how much of an impact, other people's perceptions affect our own. In many of my pieces, I addressed common issues that originate from societies' stereotypes, from beauty standards to toxic masculinity. Over the years, as I’ve continued to develop myself as an artist, I have realized that I want to continue to add messages and stories behind my art. Art has always been present throughout my life and, has helped me in more ways than I can say. It is always a dream when I can share my creations with others. |
Aubrae Clark
Grade: 12 Course: Photo III Title: Dissociation Medium: Digital Image Instructor: Matthew Blanch Artist Statement The central idea of my concentration explores emotions. With each image, my goal is to capture a moment in time where any emotion or state of being hits its peak, and thus create an image where an equally strong emotion is evoked. In this image, I chose to explore dissociation; a state of being characterized by a lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity. |
Jissel Estrada Puga
Grade: 12 Art 4 AP Title: Endulzate la Vida Medium: Acrylic Paint Instructor: Ms. Rosenbaum Artist Statement This piece is a great example of my growth as an artist. It is an acrylic painting of a donut my best friend gave me one night. What makes this simple donut so special, you might ask? Well, it was given to me at a time in my life when I didn’t realize how much I would need it. First semester of my senior year was one of the hardest periods of time in my life. I stressed myself out trying to raise my GPA, I was taking college prep classes that caused me to stay up until 2 am every single night working on homework, and on top of this, I had heaps of family drama floating through my mind. After two months of this vigorous cycle, I finally broke down and had one of the worst panic attacks of my life. This attack hurt me so much because it was my first panic attack in 4 months. It made me start to lose hope in myself. After the panic attack, I called my best friend to talk about it and she immediately came to my house and dropped off this donut for me. While just a simple donut, to me, it symbolizes a dark point in my life where I realized that I needed to give myself breaks and enjoy the sweet things in life. |
Sydney Finger
Grade: 12 Course: Art 3 Ap Title: Two Headed Threat Medium: Graphite and colored pencils Instructor: Raissa Rosenbaum Artist Statement The main theme of my pieces this year center around fears and phobias. I am exploring how to interpret phobias into art as well as exploring ways to make the viewers of my pieces feel fear or other similar feelings when they look at my pieces. This piece centers around the fear of snakes, ophidiophobia. The meaning behind my piece is to show the fear of snakes using a two headed cobra wrapped around the arm of someone with a snake bite on their hand. I became interested in these themes because as I would look at horror art I began to wonder what aspects of these pieces are scary, what makes them scary, why? I began to wonder how I could make unsettling pieces; what tactics and materials could I use to achieve this goal? I have grown in my art-making to moving towards more realistic pieces or a mix of realism and stylized art. In my process, I have grown used to gathering a lot of different thumbnail sketches and ideas for a piece before settling on one and getting to work on the final piece. I take pride in my compositions and try to make them interesting and eye catching. I have not yet started developing my own style, but I am working on a lot of different skills, such as shading and coloring, and am improving on them steadily. A big influence in my artist journey has been my aunt, Kristian Finger, who is a professional artist. She has helped me grow in my skills and my love of art over the years, I wouldn’t be the same artist without her. My goals as an artist is to continuously develop my skills and develop my own style. |
Ashley Mendez Barragan
Grade: 12 Course: Art 4 AP Title: Crecimiento Medium: Mixed Media Instructor: Raissa Rosenbaum Artist Statement This year, I explored the topic of my family’s Mexican culture and traditions. I am a first generation Mexican American and I use my artwork to communicate and share with others about my family’s history and our story. Everything done in the past helps mold you into the person you are now and what you will become in the future. Growing up in America, I quickly realized how my family’s history is uniquely different compared to American traditions. This piece is titled “Crecimiento” because it is all about growth. The top of the composition represents the past, and how I reflect on my childhood. The bottom represents who I currently am, better and having grown from past situations. The middle section of the piece in the black circle represents my growth, hence the butterfly being in there as a metaphorical symbol of change. I am not sure what the future holds for me, maybe I’m not even prepared, but I’m ready to face my future and become the butterfly I have always hoped to be. |