Alex Wagner, Studio Art
Artist Statement
I am conducting Art Therapy upon myself. I create work for myself. My work dives into experiences from my past I was uncomfortable with and forces me to come to terms with those events. I use symbolism to represent the recurring characters and feelings in my life, much like a musical leitmotif. Patterns of lines connect these symbols to tell a story only I would know. I use mediums that give me the most control over the movement of line strokes such as pen, marker and fine brushes. Canva-paper, hardboard and clayboard provide the best surfaces for my work, as they are smooth for pens and provide the ability to layer for paint. I feel as though the use of pens in traditional art is not looked at with the same prestige as paint and I hope to change that. I believe that pen is just as capable of displaying powerful emotion as paint. I want to see the use of pen more frequently in the greater art world.
I am conducting Art Therapy upon myself. I create work for myself. My work dives into experiences from my past I was uncomfortable with and forces me to come to terms with those events. I use symbolism to represent the recurring characters and feelings in my life, much like a musical leitmotif. Patterns of lines connect these symbols to tell a story only I would know. I use mediums that give me the most control over the movement of line strokes such as pen, marker and fine brushes. Canva-paper, hardboard and clayboard provide the best surfaces for my work, as they are smooth for pens and provide the ability to layer for paint. I feel as though the use of pens in traditional art is not looked at with the same prestige as paint and I hope to change that. I believe that pen is just as capable of displaying powerful emotion as paint. I want to see the use of pen more frequently in the greater art world.
Seagræy, Micron ink pen on clayboard, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 30in x 30in
Snail Trail, Micron ink pen and Alcohol Marker on Canva-Paper, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 16in x 16in
Seagræy, Micron ink pen on clayboard, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 30in x 30in
Withheld, Acrylic paint, Gel pen on Canva-paper, 2020, 16in x 20in
Unjust Worry, Micron ink pen and Alcohol Marker on Canva-Paper, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 16in x 16in
Identity-2021, Acrylic Paint, Acrylic Pen on canvas, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 20in x 20in
Smoke Split, Micron ink pen and Alcohol Marker on Canva-Paper, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 16in x 16in
Mountain Top sans poet, Acrylic on hardboard, 2021, Portfolio Preparation, ART 233, 16in x 20in
