Volume 11 Issue 1
December 1, 2025
Senior Editor: Alex Z’26
Publication Masthead: Aislyn A’28, Finn B’28, Abigail C’28, Cheyenne C’28, Milo H’26, Nadia H’28, Xan P’27
Milo H’26: Vanitas in Charcoal, Clay Skull
1. Vanitas in Charcoal explores the tension between creation and mortality through a still life of an artist’s tools and a human skull. I focused on contrast, lighting, and texture. The piece strengthened my technical control of charcoal and my understanding of dramatic composition.
2. Clay Skull was created as a study of anatomy in sculpture, allowing me to examine the human skull in three dimensions. Working in clay helped me understand the structure, proportion, and forms that define the skull’s surface. The process involved observation and adjustment, translating what I had learned from my two-dimensional works in a 3d space.
Devin B’26
1. A Blue Dasher dragonfly with its left wing in frame (f/16, 1/160s)
2. A closeup of a Malachite butterfly’s face with some nectar on its scales (f/16, 1/160s)
3. If you look closely, you may notice that behind the flower is an upside down butterfly with its wings spread, drinking its nectar! (f/13, 1/160s)
4. A closeup of a Southern Birdwing butterfly’s face, with its proboscis curled up (f/13, 1/160s)
5. A close up of a Malachite butterfly’s wing (f/16, 1/160s)
Felikks M’27: Sweet Seal
Alex Z’26: Frankenstein
Carli E’26: Self Portrait in Acrylic, Self Portrait in Oil
1. Self Portrait in Acrylic: The first in a three part study of media exploration, Self Portrait in Acrylic had a focus on the strengths and weaknesses of acrylic paint, with the aim of capturing the textures of fabric, hair and skin. The shift in the hue of the light from the left to the right side, in addition to the subject’s contemplative expression, represents a moment of quiet reflection during times of change. This piece serves as a reminder to me to always look to the light in times of darkness and confusion.
2. Self Portrait in Oil: The second in a three part study of media exploration, Self Portrait in Oil was my first time using oil paint. I focused on learning how to use oil paint to its fullest advantage, and fell in love with the smooth transitions (the lack of which had long frustrated me in acrylic paint) and the luminosity achieved through using translucent glazes. The gentle gradient that oil paint allows gave this piece a softer, quieter mood than a medium that lends itself to harsher lines, like acrylic, would have. This piece taught me the importance of putting thought into what medium a piece needs regarding not only subject matter and style, but also the tone of the entire artwork.
Mia W’28: Ethereal, Ephemeral, Ethological
A moth-like creature who always walks in the direction of the moon.
Alex Z’26: Smoke Break
Salem W’27: Babirusa