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Ayelen Maddox

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Artist Statement

The illustrations in this exhibit are pieces that have been inspired by the beauty of God’s creation. My hope is that my illustrations can someday encourage and inspire young people to look closer; to find joy and wonder in the natural world around them and to recognize all the love that God wants to give them through his creation. The otter centerpiece especially has a deep connection to my faith. In my belief, the creator of our world is a being of both femininity and masculinity, and we are made in their image as men and women. A great representation of this duality is the yang and yin symbol. In my desire to express this concept, I incorporated my favorite animals, sea otters, into a beautiful swirling dance around each other, in the form of yang and yin. This is to show God’s essence within every part of nature. Each of the other illustrations reflects peaceful scenes of God’s creation, inviting the viewer to take a moment to admire them.

Artist Bio

 

When I took drawing and painting classes in high school, it opened a beautiful and creative new world for me that has continued to grow and expand throughout my time at the university. Through my artistic practices, I found an outlet to express my creativity and passions, and at the same time, I could experience a more personal connection to the one who created me.

Over the years I have developed an interest in storytelling, and the idea of illustrating children’s books has grown stronger every day. I hope to inspire kids to explore their creativity and find an appreciation for artwork as a practice of self-expression and freedom. All my paintings are now crafted with picture books in mind; I focus on developing skills that will help me prepare for a career in children’s book illustration. I am eager to create work that tells a story and invites engagement with the viewer and also reveals the essence of God, who is the center of my life and source of my artistic creativity.

Keepers of the Kelp

Watercolor

Keepers Full Spread.jpeg

Pond Lilies

Pastel

Pond Life - Lillies.jpeg

Pond Life

Pastels

Pond Life - Frogs.jpeg
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