Pathways by Laura Romero
24" x 15"
When I was a kid, I loved to spend time outdoors. Frequently, when the temperature was nice and the sun was shining, I would grab a bucket of chalk and head outside to draw. After quick consideration of where to sit, I’d plop down on the sidewalk and begin creating my masterpiece. As the sidewalk transformed from muted concrete into my colorful creations, the sound of car horns in the distance and the occasional conversation of people walking by trailed through the air.
Contained by Laura Romero
12" x 20"
Reflecting on this memory reveals one of the first and more subtle ways in which my childhood within the city influenced my connection between art and my environment. Having been born and raised in Denver, Colorado, I have always been exposed to many groups of people, culture, food, and especially art. From First Friday Art Walks on Santa Fe and Tennyson Street to the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and now even Meow Wolf, my passion for art simultaneously evolved with my recognition of how influential the environment of the city is on the interactions between people. Not only did it provide me with a multitude of opportunities to immerse myself in art, but it also connected me to an increased number of previously unknown artists.
Dusk to Dawn by Laura Romero
12" x 12"
For one, I was fortunate enough to attend an arts high school where I majored in Visual Arts. Initially, this unique community of talented individuals was something I took for granted. As cliche as it may sound, it wasn’t until my friends who lived in neighboring suburbs commented on how “cool” my school was that I realized the significance of my opportunities in the city. If not for the artistic culture of Denver, would such a school like mine even exist?
Solitude by Laura Romero
18" x 24"
With this recognition, I began to investigate my personal experience of living in the city through my art. The concentration subject for my senior year portfolio centered around the relationship between the city and myself as an individual. From lines, shapes, spaces, and silhouettes, my goal was to translate this interconnectedness into each piece. The process of making these creations continuously exposed me to the complexities of Denver as a cultural hub but also to the general dimensions of a city and how it evokes the human spirit. Ultimately, my view of the city has become one that is through the lens of an artist.
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