Ctrl + S : Featured Artists

Ctrl + S : Tell us about yourself!

LM : I was motivated strongly by emotions for my piece. I had been struggling with a lot of grief and rejection at the time. Working on this was a pleasant escape, the more time went on the more addicted I felt to the process. It was like a little fantasy world where I could act out what I desired most. The concept began when my professor assigned the open illustrative prompt “fantasy and dream”. I dream about living in a house. I like the American foursquare houses common in northern campus districts. Being surrounded by
trees and nature. I’d like to be with someone. I left the forms ambiguous and liminal as a way to not put anything in a box. I picture an intimate connection, but I don’t factor in gender or general identifiable characteristics, more of a vibrant emotion of connection.

I had initially intended to add a character design, some kind of fantastical creature that emerges from the woods in front of the figures. I went back and forth on how I’d portray this. I was sitting in a lecture for my India art and society class when my professor showed a slide of the pillars of Ashoka. I was enamored with the sculptures, the illustrative qualities and expression. It didn’t look necessarily like a lion, and I wondered why I had been putting so much effort into creating something new when sculptures from the
third century perfected it.

I dove into research of the pillars, the meaning behind them, and the history. My professor showed me books from nearly a hundred years ago that showed the text that was carved into the pillars. I enjoyed the symbolism behind the statues- they had so many heads because it represented the all seeing gaze of Buddha. I researched Buddhist themes further and incorporated that in the hand lettering, that of suffering and desire. I found that the spiritual themes were what allowed me to relate this narrative with a wider
audience.

I’d consider this a silent novel where the audience is asked if desire is necessary to being human or if it just leads to suffering. Even though there is text, I don’t find it essential to my narrative. I included layers of unreadable personal writing, it offered a space for me to place my emotions I was grappling with at the time. I also included text from the pillars themselves. There’s more emphasis on tone and mood, I wanted to utilize scanned textures, like inked textiles, to portray that. I only intended to do a few spreads, but I ended up completing 17 spreads and a cover. I made a mockup and fell in love with the idea of making books. I want to continue this book with the knowledge I learned,
and I want to research the artifacts of the pillars of Ashoka in India and talk to historians and archeologists there. I’d love for people to see my work throughout their day and feel seen.

LM : Research, reading, collaboration, lots of brainstorming. I like working with music so usually I’ll put on one song on repeat for a few days to keep me in a relative headspace. I enjoy working on Procreate, alongside printers, scanners and sketchbooks. I draw the most inspiration from the human form, animals and wildlife. I’m most inspired by the faculty and peers around me, hearing their motivations behind their art and their concepts sparks a lot of motivation in me to continue pursuing my creative ideas.

Ctrl + S : Any general goals for yourself and/or your art?

LM :  The goal of my artwork is to create a space for the audience to reflect and foster connection and dialogue within the piece. I’m hoping to continue with Pillars after further research. I’d love to see the pillars of Ashoka in person in India and talk to historians there.
I see myself continuing down the route of publishing, I’m going to keep making books.