Alexander Hernandez
Staff Writer
An all-student art exhibit is now on view at the West Gallery in the Abraham Campus Center.
“Studio Focus – COLOR” features the paintings of students Aidan Catullo, Vanessa Cruz, Ariadne Gamboa, Julia Luera, Alicia Naranjo, Natalia Ortiz and Jasmine Vazquez.
Each student artist created a unique experience using acrylic paint on canvases.
Every piece showcases the artist’s individual interpretation of expressive color.
“Each painting is a student’s unique voice,” said Dion Johnson, director of galleries and distinguished artist. “Whether they’re painting a portrait, an animal, or flowers, or ornamental patterns and designs, each has its own idiosyncrasies. When you spend time looking through the layers of colors, you’ll be surprised with an element of discovery.”
The artists each had their own personal source of inspiration, which they applied to their projects, expressing their ideas through color and style.
Ortiz’s piece featured different colored flowers, along with painted white lace.
“I really wanted to focus on something when I was a child, and I used to dance folklorico,” Ortiz, a sophomore psychology major, said. “I feel like the colors that I use really resemble the costumes that I wore, but also the vibrancy of the music and the rich culture that I am a part of and love.”
Gamboa, a senior criminology major, had a similar notion, mentioning a dual inspiration for her piece, one coming from her favorite movie growing up and another from nature itself.
Her piece featured the narcissus flower.
“It might not be noticeable, but it’s based on one of my favorite movies growing up as a child,” Gamboa said. “And to this day I really love this movie… ‘How to Train your Dragon’ and all of the colors you might see are inspired by some of the scenes.”
“It symbolizes the cycle of spring and rebirth. There were moments throughout my childhood where I said ‘This might go bad, but there’s a new beginning everyday for me,” Gamboa said.
Alicia Naranjo’s piece was inspired by nature and childhood memories.
“I like to travel, and the flowers in my piece remind me of my mom and my grandma,” said Naranjo, a sophomore journalism major. “So whenever I look at it, I just think of traveling, my mom, my grandma and then my childhood too. The patterns and the craziness of it all.”
With all of their work on display, the artists said they hope viewers will be inspired by their creative expression.
“I hope that they see everyone’s paintings and see the creativity,” Naranjo said. “Everyone has different artistic levels, but we are all capable of creating things and being creative and putting ourselves out there.”
Gamboa added she hopes viewers will “just enjoy the moment.”
The “Studio Focus – COLOR” runs through Dec. 1. The West Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Admission is free.
Alexander Hernandez can be reached at alexander.hernandez3@laverne.edu.
Alexander Hernandez is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations, and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
Rylee Fournier is a senior photography major with a marketing minor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. Outside of school, she runs her own photography business, specializing in weddings and portrait photography. You can find her work on Instagram or at ryleefournierphotography.com.
