Artist Statements:

Jessica Mojica:

'Brighter Days': I created this thinking about my life. The ups and downs. The eye represents a clearer point of view that has come with maturity. The eye also looks like a boat which also represents my life journey so far.

'Nature's Gift': This creation was inspired by nature/earth. There is so much that our planet has to offer and it would be impossible to fit it all in one page. My hope is to spread awareness on being kind to our planet and work on repairing the damage.

Leigh Anne Statton:

This assignment was kind of a challenge given to the class: to truly step away from all of our ever-present phones & technology & social media for as long as we could stand it, spin some awesome tunes and just let our brains relax & wander & doodle whatever came flowing out...

While we discussed the assignment on Zoom, we talked about how young people growing up in the 2000’s have only ever known this current proliferation of screens screens screens everywhere we all turn. Nobody is used to being alone with our own thoughts anymore and for the most part, nobody has any idea what to do with ourselves. This is how we’ve all gotten used to passing any extra time we find ourselves with, no matter where we are... on the couch on the bus on the beach in bed at work at the bar with your friends etc etc etc...

For the first time in 12+ years I’ve recently stepped away from Facebook. Some people do this all the time but I never had done. Lately though, I’ve been feeling like I’m too wrapped up in all the ridiculousness that has become so all-encompassing since COVID has changed our lives so drastically. In April I lost my job and in a total cliché move, I had become that person who literally reaches for the phone as my first waking action, spending all morning scrolling scrolling scrolling.... I’m a naturally early riser, but newly unemployed – I often stayed in bed until noon consuming it all while snuggling with kitties & letting the real world recede a little longer...

So quite unexpectedly this assignment really resonated with me. I loved the unplugged time that I took for myself to doodle for as long as it came tumbling from my fingers into my sketchbook. Without my usual fleeting thought of “oh shit what do I draw” I just grabbed the nearest thing, my kid-style Mr. Sketch scented markers. And my brain simply began making curves out of the graceful, calming, soothing, colorful feelings that poured out...