Artist Conversation (w6)

Artists: Ana Alvarez, Kelsey Steurnagel, Eli Rodriguez, Ricardo Corona (undergrad for preproduction)

Exhibition: Merlino Gallery “The Enchanted Borderlands”

Media: Drawings

This group was inspired by western concepts and fantasy characters. Although I only spoke to Ricardo, he mentioned that information to me about the main theme. The third picture on the top is of what he calls the “ambiance” which he noticed in an exhibition in Disneyland. I think they did a pretty good job at setting the mood. Ricardo is an undergrad in Preproduction who likes hiking, being outdoors, architecture, ceramics, writing, and many other things. You can really see how they capture the beauty of the outdoors in their drawings.

These drawings are very brassy-toned to achieve that desert and sunny atmosphere. I love the shades of green incorporated that give it life. The characters are drawn very neatly and perfected, and I love the idea of fiction incorporated. Ricardo mentions that he was inspired by Marc Medrony and that these artists really enjoy drawing characters that look realistic yet at the same time very surreal. I though the images were connected in a sense, as if they all told a similar story.

I was quite intrigued by the style of these drawings, they looked like animations created digitally. Personally, I am not very involved in Western style art but I do appreciate it and was drawn into this particular exhibition because it looked alive. The images very vibrant, the lighting was dim, they were playing music, their decorations made it cozy, it was very well done. I was also drawn to the skies they drew, I love a good blue hue with flawless transition of colors.