SENIOR EXHIBITION IN ART ED 2023

ART EDUCATION SENIOR EXHIBITION

ARTED-445, FALL 2023

CATALOG BY

Tami Rae Weiss, PhD

FEATURING:

Drew Davisson

Annabelle Dick

Holly Hopkins

Veronica Jacques

Phoenix Juneau

Alexa Mercier

Sam Miske

Alissa Ruppel

Jackie Sanchez

Kiaya Schroeder

Molly Skalecki

Elise Slane-Geary

Gwen Stein

Grace Vincent

ART EDUCATION

SENIOR EXHIBITION

ARTED-445, FALL 2023

INTRODUCTION

The Senior Exhibition in Art Education catalog features the accomplished student artists of the Fall 2023 cohort of ARTED-445 at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. This course serves as a capstone to an art education student’s studio art experiences at the university, culminating in a public exhibition of their work.

Over the span of a semester, ARTED-445 artists curated individual collections of artwork, showcasing their unique ideas and experiences across a range of artistic media. For some artists, their creations served as a form of personal narrative, as they represented significant life events and people in their work. Themes of family were prevalent as a means of honoring their history, cultural heritage, and/or spiritual beliefs. Some pieces portrayed specific memories, places, and loved ones, while others emphasized growth and healing over time. There were artists who communicated compelling messages around topics of consumerism and human rights. In addition, there were artworks which seemed to question reality and confront viewers with the unknown and unexpected. Finally, some collections invited viewers as active participants in the aesthetic experience of viewing an art exhibition.

Altogether, the 2023 ARTED-445 Senior Exhibition in Art Education course encompassed an extraordinary group of artists with unique backgrounds and viewpoints. Within the following pages, viewers will encounter dynamic interactions of artistic media and forms, as well as explorations of profound personal concepts.

To my students, I extend my gratitude for your unwavering dedication to the senior exhibition project and for nurturing a supportive community of friends. May this catalog serve to capture the memory of your senior art exhibition; share your work with wider viewing audience; and be a lasting testament to your artistic accomplishments at UW-Stout.

Tami Rae Weiss, PhD

Associate Professor, Art Education

ARTED-445: Senior Exhibition in Art Education

All images and text are ©2023 by the artists/authors of the original works as credited. Images and writing may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the those involved. Catalog made by Tami Rae Weiss, PhD (©2023)

ART EDUCATION

SENIOR EXHIBITION

ARTED-445, FALL 2023

ARTISTS

ALEXA MERCIER SAM MISKE

HOLLY HOPKINS

PHOENIX JUNEAU

VERONICA JACQUES

DREW DAVISSON

ANNABELLE DICK

GWEN STEIN GRACE VINCENT KIAYA SCHROEDER

ELISE GEARY MOLLY SKALECKI

ALISSA RUPPEL

JACKIE SANCHEZ

14 16 18 20 22 12 10

HOLLY HOPKINS

VERONICA JACQUES

PHOENIX JUNEAU ALEXA MERCIER

SAM MISKE

DREW DAVISSON ANNABELLE DICK

28 30 32 34 36 26 24

SCHROEDER

KIAYA

MOLLY SKALECKI

ELISE SLANE-GEARY

GWEN STEIN

GRACE VINCENT

ALISSA RUPPEL

JACKIE SANCHEZ

DREW DAVISSON

ARTIST STATEMENT

Life is filled with brilliant colors and vivid hues, but even more importantly, there is the presence of light. Sunlight cascades through gaps in trees and shows its beams during foggy mornings. Fluorescent lights make the world feel sterile and aggressively clean. Fire gives off a cozy, warm feeling that makes you want to snuggle up next to the soft orange hues that reflect the world around it. However, when take light out of the equation, it can create a feeling of unease. Light gives us information, and when there is a distinct lack of light, we lose the sense of color. It desaturates it and leaves the scene feeling dark and grim, and you find yourself searching for the answer to light’s absence.

I believe art can and will be interpreted differently depending on how it is presented. With this body of work, I aim to blur the line between real and imaginary and invite the viewer into a space where they can test their reality. My main inspiration stems from different nightmares I’ve had throughout my life. The process of delving into these nightmarish visions became a personal adventure and forced me to sit and reflect on those uncomfortable feelings. Some dreams are so vivid that you feel like you have lived through them. When those dreams invoke a sense of fear, anxiety bubbles in your chest that lingers even after you wake and ground yourself back in reality. There is a distortion of thoughts and feelings. Sometimes that dread still fills you when you reach for the door handle, but realistically, you know there is nothing on the other side. You, the viewer, are not meant to be someone passively viewing art but an active participant, navigating each work and confronting the visceral emotions that I hope to invoke.

Each work was designed to reflect a different nightmare but also test me as an artist by creating new and inventive ways of presenting and creating art. The choice of materials each directly influences and enhances the narrative of the nightmares with the aim to blur the boundary between the observer and the observed. Every piece in this collection has me painting with a different approach or sculpting with a new material to create an immersive space.

Drew Davisson

DREW DAVISSON

Practice (Side 1)

Acrylic on Glass 2023

DREW DAVISSON

Practice (Side 2)

Acrylic on Glass 2023

DREW DAVISSON

Enter

Acrylic on Wooden Door 2023

DREW DAVISSON

Decay (Mirror)

Acrylic Paint 2023

DREW DAVISSON

Decay (Face)

Airdry Clay 2023

DREW DAVISSON

Emerge

Styrofoam with Paint 2023

ANNABELLE DICK

ANNABELLE DICK

Velkommen Hjem 2023

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Velkommen Hjem”

Seated at the table of my life, I find myself surrounded by cherished memories and the enduring presence of those I hold dear. Time spent in reflection led me to a profound exploration— an endeavor to intertwine the threads of my past with the tapestry of my present. This contemplation birthed a collection, a dinnerware set meticulously crafted to echo the resonance of nostalgia and anticipation for the future.

In the quiet moments of introspection, I sought to encapsulate the essence of connection and continuity. Inspired by the cherished dinnerware that graced my childhood, I embarked on a creative journey to reimagine and rekindle those treasured moments. Each stroke of my craft became a bridge, linking the innocence of yesteryears to the aspirations of tomorrow.

Dinnerware, beyond its utilitarian purpose, transcends into an art form that fosters connections and encapsulates the spirit of shared experiences. Conversations that meander and celebrations that crescendo—these unfold over shared meals, painting the canvas of life with vibrant hues. Beyond being a mere art form, it serves as a conduit for human connection, a catalyst for culinary exploration, and an intrinsic element of hospitality.

Moreover, my intent is to infuse every creation with a palpable sense of warmth and congeniality. Each piece bears the imprint of my soul, inviting others to partake in the intimate moments woven into the fabric of our lives. I endeavor not merely to create dinnerware but to encapsulate the essence of nostalgia, prompting reflection of the simple yet profound joys of existence.

As I invite individuals to engage with my art, I hope to kindle a sense of reverence for the ordinary, for within the simplicity of shared meals lies the beauty of human connection. Through my craft, I aim to rekindle an appreciation for the forgotten art of savoring moments, encouraging a pause to reminisce on the warmth and camaraderie that dinnerware unfailingly bestowed upon our lives.

Annabelle Dick

Poloroid Photographs 2 x 3 in. (each) 2023

ANNABELLE DICK

Velkommen Hjem (Memories)

ANNABELLE DICK

Velkommen Hjem (Dinnerware Set)

Bowls, Plates, Small Plates, Cups Stoneware 2023

ANNABELLE DICK Velkommen Hjem 2023

HOLLY HOPKINS

HOLLY HOPKINS

Attached to You (Vase 1)

Glazed Porcelain

4” x 17”

2023

HOLLY HOPKINS

Attached to You (Vase 2)

Glazed Porcelain

6” x 17”

2023

HOLLY HOPKINS

Attached to You (Vase 3)

Glazed Porcelain

6” x 20”

2023

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Everything is Attached to You”

Every object is attached to the owner, but once broken it is up to the owner whether they repair or replace them. My body of work is an exploration of the powerful emotions that handmade ceramics invoke within people. When handmade ceramics break, the decision to repair or replace them becomes a reflection of our own attachment to the objects we hold dear. People sense that something was lost.

This attachment contrasts the message behind massproduced items, that everything is replaceable. Mass produced items are designed to be reproducible. When they break, they can easily be replaced.

Uniqueness is what makes handmade gifts so irreplaceable to us. The pieces are not designed to be reproducible such as those that are manufactured. Each piece is made with imperfections that make them feel personal and natural.

The decoration on the pottery was inspired by the Shinto Japanese floral motifs which 19th century France later adopted in their own Nouveau movement. These motifs stem from the idea that beauty is found in the uniqueness of nature.

I broke the pieces in order to invoke the feeling that something was lost. Inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, I repaired parts of the pieces leaving the dark cracks showing. The forms of what was once whole, now tell a story of what they once were.

Holly Hopkins

HOLLY HOPKINS

Attached to You (Vase 4)

Glazed Porcelain

VERONICA JACQUES

VERONICA JACQUES

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Life”

Social media is used to make connections, share experiences, and gain entertainment; it is also one of the biggest catalysts of inferiority, self-doubt, and insecurity in humankind alike. Naturally, comparing these staged, perfect images of life to our own leads to some damage in self-confidence and a feeling of not doing or being enough. These photos that create a false pillar of perfection stand tall and often go without a reality check. Life, was designed to counteract these images of the “optimal existence” with the beauty of the chaos that is life through the eyes of the artist. Capturing the good, bad, and mundane of life. This interactive exhibit allows the viewer to experience life with no filters or perfect angles. Just a representation of life as a genuine human experience.

Veronica Jacques

VERONICA JACQUES

VERONICA JACQUES Life 2023

VERONICA JACQUES

PHOENIX JUNEAU

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Ephemeral Memories”

As an artist, I am drawn to the intricate details of flowers, their graceful forms, vibrant hues, and the gentle sway of petals in the breeze. These botanical wonders, much like memories, possess a tender vulnerability that demands our appreciation in the present moment. In contemplating the significance of flowers, I am reminded of a particular memory that holds a profound place in the gallery of my life. I found myself amidst a field of wildflowers, their colors mirroring the kaleidoscope of emotions that enveloped me. The memories in my mind were one of love, loss, and resilience. The flowers, in the gentle embrace of the wind, seemed to encapsulate the essence of that moment a fragility that mirrored the fleeting nature of time and the delicate balance between joy and sorrow.

As I explore flowers and memory in my artistic endeavors, I aim to evoke the emotional resonance embedded in these blooms. In the language of flowers, I find a universal narrative that transcends individual stories, connecting us all through the shared experience of impermanence. Petals of memory, delicately unfurling in the garden of time, serve as a visual poem, a testament to the profound beauty that lies in embracing the ephemeral nature of life and the memories that define us. Through my work and personal fleeting moments, I invite viewers to reflect on the transient nature of their own experiences, encouraging them to embrace the beauty of each fleeting moment.

Phoenix Juneau

JUNEAU Leaving You in the Past Fake Flowers

November, 2023

PHOENIX JUNEAU

High School Sweethearts

Fake Flowers, White, Aqua, & Navy Pearls

October, 2023

PHOENIX JUNEAU

September 1st

Plaster and Acrylic Flowers

November, 2023

Amari

November, 2023

November, 2023

PHOENIX JUNEAU

King Fake Flowers

PHOENIX JUNEAU At Peace Fake Flowers

PHOENIX

ALEXA MERCIER

Willful Flowers

24 x 24 in.

ALEXA MERCIER

Acrylic paint on canvas

December, 2023

ARTIST STATEMENT

In my series, I assemble various still life’s, based off important people in my life. I create the still life’s using items that remind me of that specific person, that represent their personality in some way, and are maybe things that they have given to me. In a way, I am creating self-portraits of that person in a still life form. I have always enjoyed putting together still lifes and piecing everything together, I love the joy and the challenge it brings when painting or drawing them. I have painted two of the portraits with acrylic paint and two with oil paint. I have four people that I am painting, my dad, my great grandma, my mom, and my sister.

My dad’s painting is titled “Sausage + Gravy,” referencing the recipe in the painting. Every Sunday morning, you would wake to the smell of breakfast being made in the kitchen, that’s when you knew it was going to be a good day. My dad could never go without his ChapStick. My sister and I never asked our dad if we could borrow his ChapStick because we knew that we would be getting his original flavored ChapStick. We were not big fans but that’s something I will always remember him by. My dad passed away in August 2020 and the last artifact in my painting are the dried flowers from his funeral that I preserved and have displayed always. I have a halo of light in the background, representing heaven.

“Willful Flowers” is dedicated to my great grandma and willful flowers is based off the translation of the book shown in my painting. My great grandma Vivian was my favorite person, and I loved every minute spent with her. I remember that she had a perfume that she would wear every day and I can still remember hugging her and smelling that perfume. I have that painted along with her favorite wine, White Zinfandel. She taught me how to sew when I was younger and so I have a little quilt that she made, along with some spools of thread and a jar of buttons. For all of my cousins and I, when we were born, she started a piggy bank and saved money for us and then we would receive it when we graduated high school. I have mine painted in the background. Lastly, I have partial images of her that I painted showing her as a ghost. She has passed away but that is how I am showing her memory is still here even with her being gone.

My mom’s piece is titled “Reference Point; HAND WASH IN COOL WATER”. This is the tag of the sweater that we always fight over and take turns wearing. My mom and I are very similar people and so we like to butt heads about a lot of things, just like every mother daughter relationship. My mom’s name is Coral, hence the piece of coral in my piece. She loves coffee, chai teas, and reading, as do I. There is a book titled “Bad Fruit”, and it is about the story of a mother and daughter and their relationship. On the cover there are orange slices, so I decided to have dried oranges throughout my piece.

Lastly, I have my sister’s piece, “How Simon Templar Enjoyed a Joke, and How Mr Lauber Was Not Amused.” This title comes from one of the chapters in the books and I feel like it describes our relationship perfectly. My sister and I are very close, but we weren’t always. We have matching piggy banks, that are both broken but have been pieced back together, which represents our relationship. Her birth flower is a larkspur, which is painted. My sister is a dentist and so I showed that with a plastic tooth.

These are just a small part of a larger series that I plan on continuing in the future. I plan on eventually creating a self-portrait, with artifacts that represent myself. Thank you for taking your time to read this and I hope you enjoyed my series, and I can’t wait to continue this in the future.

Alexa Mercier

ALEXA MERCIER How Simon Templar Enjoyed a Joke, and How Mr. Lauber Was Not Amused Oil on canvas

December, 2023

ALEXA MERCIER

Reference Point; HAND WASH IN COOL WATER

20 x 32 in.

Acrylic on canvas

December, 2023

ALEXA MERCIER

Sausage and Gravy Oil on canvas

24 x 36 in.

December, 2023

SAM MISKE

Assassination and Target 2023

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor, Micron Pen, and Print

SAM MISKE

Stalker and Hunted 2023

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor, Micron Pen, and Print

SAM MISKE

ARTIST STATEMENT

In the wake of my dad’s passing, my art underwent a profound transformation, mirroring the intense emotions that surged within me during that period of loss. The change I found in my art was not a conscious choice but an organic response to the emotions that accompanied my bereavement. I found myself tackling eerie subjects before, but the pain of loss had manifested itself into my work - challenging me to explore these feelings through my art. The strokes of my brush now dance upon a melancholy paper, creating compositions that represent the complex interplay between life and death and capture the fragile nature of existence. Through my work, I want viewers to see the beauty that lies in unconventional aesthetics and experience those distressing emotions, for after discomfort comes solace. The macabre became a refuge for me—a space where I could confront the harsh realities of mortality while seeking peace through the artistic expressions of my grief.

Now I am here—my art still in a transformative climax where I seek to challenge my own comfort more and more every time my tools are gripped in my hands. This series challenges viewers to confront the truths of the natural world, urging them to consider the untamed savagery that plagues our existence on Earth. My work shows predators and their prey through three diptychs: a fox and a rabbit, a snake and a rat, and two humans. These pieces serve as a visual dialogue on the inherent duality within nature—a realm where beauty and brutality coexist and where the dark truths of human nature are revealed through that. Each painting depicts a single subject done with watercolor paint and Micron frozen in time proceeding the act of violence which has occurred. Dandelions done in drypoint frame the paintings, introducing a softness to the emotional scenes I have created.

My art is made to cause uneasiness. I want my paintings to have the aroma of the falling rain, appear as dark as the sky where no stars shone, feel like the freezing touch of death’s skin, and produce the silence that permeated the space where his body laid.

Sam Miske

SAM MISKE

Murderer and Victim 2023

ALISSA RUPPEL

ALISSA RUPPEL

Always with Me 2023

11 x 15 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

Sacrifice 2023

9 x 12 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Remembrance”

Hello, my name is Alissa Ruppel, and I have one question for you. When you look back on your life, what things do you remember most? Your triumphs? Your hardships? Time spent with loved ones, or perhaps all of the hard work you have done to make it to right here in this moment of time? When I look back on my life, I reminisce about all of the things (big or small) God and His Son Jesus Christ have done for me. That fact about me is essentially all you need to know to understand my artwork.

I consider myself to be many things. I am a sister, a teacher, an artist… However, the most significant and meaningful thing I define myself as is a Christian. I have yet to grow capable enough to portray the importance of putting your faith in God through words, so I have decided to try to convey these thoughts through simple portrait paintings using wine.

I feel it is typical for people to say that their college experience is or has been “freeing” and “rewarding.” I have heard this all my life, even from close members in my family. My time spent at the University of Wisconsin - Stout has felt completely opposite of what I expected. Up until now as I entrust my art to you, I have endured heavy feelings of judgment, isolation, and nervousness. All I hear people say on campus is “Don’t judge! Have an open-mind!” Why doesn’t this consistent demand apply to my beliefs and passions as well, especially when it comes to my religion? My body of work could be considered my stand against how this school has made me feel over the last three years; though the greater intention of my paintings are to help you see how great our Lord is, and how beautiful having a relationship with Him can be. Only through my faith have I gained anything I consider freeing and rewarding.

My show “Remember” showcases what I see in my mind as I ponder the question that I asked you when you began reading. By symbolically using wine and capturing the individualistic qualities of the important people in my life, I take you on a journey to explore the positive impact God has had on me. Whether or not you see or believe in Him, I implore you to have an open-mind and remember what Jesus Christ and the Lord have done for not only me, but for you as well.

Alissa Ruppel

ALISSA RUPPEL

ALISSA RUPPEL

Precious 2023

22 x 30 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

RUPPEL

Fleeting Eternal 2023

9 x 12 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

Oh, Where to Go? 2023

9 x 12 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

ALISSA RUPPEL

Entertaining Angels 2023

22 x 30 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

ALISSA RUPPEL

Remembrance 2023

9 x 12 in.

Wine and Sharpie on Paper

ALISSA

ALISSA RUPPEL

JACKIE SANCHEZ

ARTIST STATEMENT

Over the last ten years, expressing myself through painting has become a long-term journey that has trapped me in the creative world. I enjoy working with mixed media, but acrylic is still my favorite. I like to apply multiple layers and play with tones to convey high contrast, giving the painting a vivid effect.

My artwork has focused on capturing feelings and conveying positive emotions such as love, happiness, and self-confidence.

In my paintings, you will find whimsical and liberating concepts that represent the beauty of human beings and their natural environment. In addition to depicting positive feelings, my paintings aim to capture triumph and self-worth over life’s complex moments. I find inspiration in significant moments like travel, culture, and nature. I capture these elements and mix feelings with my touch of freedom, passion, and honesty. The vibrant colors, textures, and elements of my work will invite you to embark on a journey of inspiration to imagine and find the meaning of the painting. I always tell people who like to admire my paintings: “Open your artist’s eyes and tell me what you see!”

Capturing the daily multiple emotions we face has always been part of my curiosity and need as an artist. Feelings are the driving force of any individual or social group. If you are happy and at peace with yourself, the result is gratitude and empathy towards others. On the other hand, frustration undoubtedly creates a negative emotion. It’s part of our human nature! We give what is in our hearts and cannot offer something we lack. I hope my painting can reflect the best of you in some way.

Jackie Sanchez

JACKIE SANCHEZ

Colorful Soul

60 x 48in.

Acrylic on Canvas Fall 2023

JACKIE SANCHEZ

Violet Heels

60 x 48in. v

Acrylic on Canvas Fall 2023

JACKIE SANCHEZ

Absolutely Free

48 x 60in.

Acrylic on Canvas Fall 2023

KIAYA SCHROEDER

I Made Her Myself

Do you want to braid her hair? She loves it. She’ll be so pretty. Collage Sculpture

KIAYA SCHROEDER

ARTIST STATEMENT

I’ve worked with a multitude of art mediums throughout my time as a growing artist. It isn’t until recently that I’ve begun to explore artwork that is mixed media in nature. Working with glass, clay, photographs, mirror, found objects, and copious amounts of glue has always been an exciting process. Working in fiber arts however was an entirely new adventure for me that I gladly embarked on. Art techniques that are free form and exploratory in nature have always intrigued me. My art pieces have a playful exterior, but I want you to look closer and consider the underlying concepts within my work. I invite you to explore the unexpected relationships within the chaos of my collaged sculptures.

I work intuitively, I trust my hands, mind, and body to create an experience for myself that’s unique to my emotions. Making art has always been a way to work through and communicate intense emotions similar to a diary entry. That’s what these pieces are, entries to moments, memories, spaces, and people in my life. I’m trying to come to understand and come to terms with my childhood. While creating these pieces I connected to my younger self, I soothed her anger, anxiety, worry, and tension. I re-discovered the beauty the world has to offer in the eyes of a child. I see her in every brush stroke, fabric ripped, stitch sewn, hair placed, mirror smashed, and object found. I think she is at peace, proud of who I’ve become, and I thank her for carrying me to where and who I am today.

The titles of my artwork reflect these notions, The Love is all Mine, remembering the innocence and the love that built my childhood bedroom. My Soil, exploring nature and living in my imaginary worlds. Stagnant, seeking to understand death. I wonder where they are now and what life would be like if they were still here. I Made Her Myself, questioning and resisting the prescribed ideas of what it looks like to be a girl becoming a woman.

Kiaya Jayden Schroeder

KIAYA SCHROEDER The Love is All Mine

Can you see her? She looks so happy.

Collage Sculpture 2023

KIAYA SCHROEDER Stagnant Where are you? It’s been so long.

Collage Sculpture 2023

KIAYA SCHROEDER My Soil

Can you come out and play? Let’s get our hands dirty.

Collage Sculpture 2023

MOLLY SKALECKI

“The desire to make art begins early. Among the very young this is encouraged (or at least indulged as harmless) but the push toward a ‘serious’ education soon exacts a heavy toll on dreams and fantasies....Yet for some the desire persists, and sooner or later must be addressed. And with good reason: your desire to make art -- beautiful or meaningful or emotive art -- is integral to your sense of who you are.” – David Bayles (Art and Fear)

MOLLY SKALECKI

Deep Breath Acrylic and Gel

Impasto on Canvas

24 x 38 in. December 2023

MOLLY SKALECKI Whimsy

Acrylic, Gel Impasto, Pearlescent Powder on Canvas

15 x 30 in.

December 2023

Acrylic and Wall Spackle on Canvas 8 x 8 in. (set of 3 canvases) December 2023

ARTIST STATEMENT

Bright colors, interesting textures, soft lines. These are all words that I use to describe my artwork. I use texture mediums, such as spackle and impasto, to create whimsical, vibrant, and delicate pieces of art. I make art to express myself, to pull myself from reality, even if only for a little bit. While creating, I tend not to focus on what the final product will be, but focus on the process to get there. Each individual color, brush stroke, and flick of the wrist is a reflection of my journey as a person. I am inspired by my bright and happy childhood, in which my parents would sit me down at the table with a big sheet of paper and some paint and would watch me create my own artwork.

This collection consists of me going back and creating art in the mindset I had as a child. As a child, I had no preconceived notions of color theory or patterns and was able to forge ahead and discover art on my own accord. I was focused on exploring the intersections of colors, textures, and layering. At the time, I could not articulate what I was creating, however I found a great deal of satisfaction in the textures, colors, and moreover the physical process of making the art.

For this showcase, I wished to go back to my roots, of painting without anyone telling me what to focus on, or what colors go together. Art school has been full of direction, so much direction in fact, that I had got to the point where I could not tell you what my art style was. In essence, I was stripped of my own artistic identity. Being told what to paint, draw, and create will take that from you. This collection consists of me taking my art style back and finding what I used to love to do long ago. My aim with this collection was to create an environment where there are no worries or cares. An environment without deep thought into color theory or structure. An environment where all convention is tossed out the window and allows free creativity to shine. While you study my collection, I hope that you forgo the weight and expectations of the world and appreciate the moment here and now.

To help get into a fresh headspace, I experimented with new mediums and textures. These pieces are on canvas with acrylic paints. I mixed wall spackle with the acrylic paint to create deep texture in three of my paintings. This mixture allows the movement of the palette knives and brushes to come to the forefront of these artworks. For the other two, I used gel impasto with the paint, which creates a more effortless texture. The impasto keeps things shiny and light, which contrasts my other three paintings that have a deep, structured impasto.

I hope this collection inspires you to take a moment and look back to your favorite moments in life, take a leap, try something new and see where it takes you.

Molly Shea Skalecki

MOLLY SKALECKI Easy Motions

ELISE SLANE GEARY

ELISE GEARY

ELISE GEARY

ELISE GEARY Savior Watercolor

ARTIST STATEMENT

Everyone understands the weight that a journal holds. For years I have written some of my most personal thoughts, stories and views in my journal that really reflect who I am, what I’ve been through, and what I have to say without the fear of human judgement. In essence, my journal is a very unfiltered version of who I am. Extremely unfiltered versions of myself that I really have never wanted to share with anyone. Scared of what they may say. While some things were easier to share and create, others were really hard for me to be vulnerable with.

These things have become a little easier for me to share because I’m in a lot better place than I have been in the past. My artwork is displayed eclectically because that what my life has been and I still have bad days, but I’m doing better than I ever have been. I used to be depressed, anxiety filled, angry, and extremely empty which I felt so often. However, I was so lost that I found my faith and it saved my life.

My happier work I display in watercolor because its light and its colors can be so saturated and bright. Some of my watercolor pieces are works of myself in the in-between of finding happiness. However, I felt drawn to this medium to display to the world where I now am. For a few pieces I chose charcoal. Charcoal can be harsh and dark and that is where I have been. A life I have lived, but a life that I’m determined to keep in the past. Again, my work is eclectic, but I wouldn’t be true to myself or my story if it was all just a neat display of artwork. That’s not who I am, nor who I ever will be.

Elise Slane Geary

ELISE GEARY

Hungry Charcoal and Chalk Pastel 2023

Coffee Shop Study

Watercolor and Pencil 2023

ELISE GEARY

The Rest of Our Lives

Watercolor and Pencil 2023

ELISE GEARY Shameful Charcoal and Chalk Pastel 2023

ELISE GEARY

GWEN STEIN

God Jul

Acrylic on Wood 14 in. diameter

Fall 2023

GWEN STEIN

ARTIST STATEMENT

GWEN STEIN

Velkommen til Vort Hjem

Acrylic on Wood 14 in. diameter

Fall 2023

Velkommen Hejm, or Welcome Home, is about connecting to roots and a feeling of familiarity. For me, when I go back to my childhood home something that makes me feel particularly at home is the Rosemåled pieces hanging from walls.

Rosemåling is a Norwegian art form that translates to rose paintings. This art is traditionally painted in oils and is known for its intricate designs and swooping scrolls. This art form originated as a hobby for the Norwegians during their long, cold winters. Rosemåling is an adornment for everything. The most common being wooden plates, ornaments, boxes, and chests are seen with the painted designs. Similar designs can also be seen on certain Bunader, the cultural dress of the Norwegian people, and tablecloths. Traditional rosemåling is done in oil paint with a cultivated pallet. Many rosemåling books today will teach you how to mix specific colors with current paints.

Rosemåling is a dying art form. In Norway, rosemåling was practiced so little that Norwegians came to America to learn how to do it. As time has passed, the people who practiced have continued to dwindle. It has become an increasingly difficult process to make rosemåled pieces, as there aren’t any woodcarvers who make the traditional pieces rosemåling would be painted on. Even though my work is not truly Norwegian, I want to honor the artists who came before me and continue the story and practice of rosemåling.

GWEN STEIN Blomst

Acrylic on Wood 14 in. diameter

Fall 2023

GWEN STEIN

Handpainted Ornaments

Acrylic on Wood 12 in. diameter

Fall 2023

GWEN STEIN

Var

Acrylic on Wood 12 in. diameter

Fall 2023

Rosemåling is an art form I have been surrounded by my whole life. My great-grandmother Marcia Stein and her son, my grandfather, Keith Stein, studied and practiced this art form. Our Christmas tree was always covered in rosemåled ornaments. Every year, my family would buy hand-painted ornaments from an artist named Karen Sanderson. These ornaments would be finalized with our names painted on the back and the year we got them.

My rosemåled plates are also inspired by traditional regional styles of rosemåling but not directly copied. I take inspiration from the work of my grandmother, the work my parents bought in Norway that now hangs in my home, and images of other artists. My collection of ornaments is painted in a rosemåledinspired pattern. Most of the backs are left empty so that people’s names can be added along with the year, reminiscent of the ornaments on my tree at home. Being able to add a personal touch makes my art feel more connected to its final home.

To make my spin on rosemåling, I chose to work with nontraditional colors and use acrylic paint because of the toxicity of oil paint. Traditionally, oil paints are used to layer up paint and create translucency in the paints. With modern mediums, we can create similar effects in acrylic, lessening the need to be around toxic oil paints.

Like me, my artwork isn’t truly Norwegian; it is a remnant of what was Norwegian changing and growing with the times into something unique and different. I want to thank Darren Tesar for being my mentor, Dr. Tami Weiss, and Ann Carlisle for being mentors of the Art Education program, and Marsha Stein and Keith Stein for inspiring me for this show.

Tussen Takk, Gwen Stein

GRACE VINCENT

ARTIST STATEMENT

Hello, my name is Grace Vincent. My artwork as part of our show “Connections” is about my connections to places that have impacted my college journey. I have wanted to travel and experience the world for many years, and while in college I have had the privilege of traveling and seeing many places, the most impactful places have been those contributing to my college journey, that I keep coming back to. They aren’t miraculous tourist destinations; they are just places where I have experienced life and met people who continue to impact me to this day. My media of choice is watercolor with ink on top. For those who don’t know, in college you don’t really get to use watercolor in studio art classes; so, when I was given the opportunity to create something in my favorite media, I took it. I love the expressive loose behavior of watercolor being contrasted with the harsh bold strokes of a pen. I now invite you to put yourself into the narrative that is my college journey.

My first location is Wausau. This was the start of my college journey. I initially was going to school for Video Production and Graphic Design at Northcentral Technical College in this place. This is the town I spent most of COVID in, the town where I had my first relationship, the town where there were many late-night Dungeons and Dragons sessions, and the town where I decided to change what I wanted to do with my future.

The second location is Olive Garden. This place has impacted me while living in three of these locations and has been my job for the past four years. This may just be an Italian restaurant to many of you, but for me, I have met some of the most incredible people through working there. The people I have worked with here have been a huge support in my college journey, and I don’t know if I could have made it through these years of college without the people here and the support I have gotten from my management. Olive Garden truly has been a family to me and one of my greatest supporters in my college journey.

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor and Ink

GRACE VINCENT Wausau, Wisconsin 2023

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor and Ink

GRACE VINCENT

Olive Garden 2023

My third location (left) is Eau Claire. Eau Claire is where I was living when I initially transferred to Stout. Where I lived with a roommate and a deaf cat named Wanda who had no volume control. It is a place where I have gone on many late-night adventures, where I get to see my friends, and where I currently work. This town is where I will be wrapping up part of my college journey with student teaching this spring.

GRACE VINCENT

Menomonie, Wisconsin 2023

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor and Ink

GRACE VINCENT

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 2023

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor and Ink

My fourth location (right) is Menomonie. This town is where I am finishing my college journey. Almost every day during the school year I have been on the UW-Stout campus in either Heritage Hall or in Applied Arts. This town holds a lot of struggles for me. It is where college burnout really began to get to me, and where I (for a while) felt the only purpose it served me was getting the art education degree so I could be done and move on. Through being a camp counselor, getting to know my peers in my program, and living in an apartment with the sweetest little cat, this town is finally growing on me. I don’t know how much time I will spend here once I graduate or if I will come back here at all, but this town has had quite the impact on my journey.

VINCENT

Home 2023

18 x 24 in.

Watercolor and Ink

My fifth and final location is my parents’ house. You probably thought that I would end it with Menomonie since that is where I am graduating. To me, the most important place on this list needed to go at the end. My parents’ house is where I was raised, but as a college student, it has been a safe haven for me. Going home and getting to spend time with my mom, dad, and little brothers is a break from a lot of the hectic things I deal with everywhere else. I get to go and have a home cooked meal, go with my mom on her errands or to get coffee, watch a movie with my dad, and get to bug my little brothers. It is the place that I know I can go to when I need people who genuinely love and care for me, and have been my biggest cheerleaders over the past five years of college. Going through moving many times, through roommate drama, through my first breakup, through friend changes, through college switches, through job drama my parents’ house remains the place that I know I can go, and the place I know I can continue to go when life is too much or if I just want to bug my mom and dad.

A special thank you to Ann Carlisle and Dr. Tami Weiss for being continuous guides for my ARTED peers and myself during our time at Stout. I would also like to thank Johnny Wheeler for being my mentor for creating these works of art. Finally, I would like to thank you for coming to taking the time to come and view our artworks.

Grace Vincent

GRACE