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2-D Design
Karsyn Bratten
Osceola County School for the Arts｜Kissimmee, Florida
Unrecognizable｜36 x 36 in.
Material(s): graphite and oils on canvas.
Process(es): broke up photo in 8200 squares and 70 colors, used composition overall to describe body dysmorphia.
Curatorial Note: paintings that have a strong presence while addressing mental health issues.
“These pieces revolve around the idea that mental health is a universal concern & should be presented in a way that doesn't make people feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Mainly, what if mental disorders and/or phases of the most difficult times we experience were expressed in a way that helps others relate and comprehend in depth rather than flinch away? Growing up in a world that consistently invalidated my feelings, I was always shushed when I tried to discuss difficult topics that many claim are taboo.”
Student statement
Student
statement
The titles of the two pieces that were chosen are “Unrecognizable” and “Time.” These pieces revolve around the idea that mental health is a universal concern & should be presented in a way that doesn't make people feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Mainly, what if mental disorders and/or phases of the most difficult times we experience were expressed in a way that helps others relate and comprehend in depth rather than flinch away? Growing up in a world that consistently invalidated my feelings, I was always shushed when I tried to discuss difficult topics that many claim are taboo. These are meant to give the audience an authentic experience of each disorder and/or phase.
One of these pieces, the one with the teal background featuring the girl with the teacup in her hands, tells the story of those with schizophrenia or other reality-altering mental disorders, which is subtly depicted in the book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” (hence the teacup and the clock). It represents how people with this disorder see a fractured, discolored universe. The other piece, however, is one I relate much closer to. The girl in the photo is shown pulling at her lip and eye socket, and her face appears to be built up from over 8,200 squares, like the last piece. In this piece, I present to you the experience of body dysmorphia. The closer you stand to the painting, the harder it is to make out the picture, but as you step back, you can see the depicted image clearly. This is what it is roughly like for those like me who struggled with body dysmorphia. The more you stand in front of a mirror, the more your mind disfigures you, and the more you begin to hate yourself.
Karsyn Bratten
Material(s): graphite, ink, photoshop to edit vibrance of reference, pixel art app to break up reference.
Process(es): practiced w a color by number app, experimented w entire new painting style, altered tints of colors .
Although these pieces have very different meanings, the method I used to build up every layer of the pieces is the same. One day I was sitting in the kitchen watching my niece paint her color-by-number picture that I had bought for her at the dollar store, and I thought to myself, “what if I did that?” So, I took the photo, practiced editing it and choosing specific colors to emphasize, and finally used a simple color-by-number app on my phone to break up my reference into roughly 8,200 squares and 70 colors. Once I finished this, I had to go through an extremely tedious process of numbering my entire 36x36 canvas until the entire thing was covered (this part of the process was crucial that I get right, as one screw-up and her entire nose could end up misplaced in the actual painting). Finally, I began mixing colors, one by one, and dotting them all over the canvas just like the color-by-number pictures that little kids like, except this one was huge and much more time-consuming. Some of the colors I even mixed myself from scratch from linseed oil, pigment, and beeswax to get the perfect consistency and vibrancy I wanted. The painting with the gold drips was created in the same fashion, except I revised it by adding the homemade dripping paint to symbolize time passing in this crazy “wonderland.”
Throughout my year of creating this art that allowed people to relate to similar mental health experiences, I went through my own mental health struggles with an eating disorder, depression, and chronic anxiety. At many points, I wanted to simply sink into my bed without ever getting back up again. During that time, though, my art teacher helped me more than anyone. Mrs. Calderón was the one who taught me how to paint and balance core classes with art. I went to her for help with every detail, but instead of doing it for me as most teachers would, she sat me down and made me learn to do it for myself. Mrs. Calderón wasn’t just a halfway decent art instructor, though; she was one of my greatest friends. Mrs. Calderón sat with me when I cried and let me nap on the floor before class. She brought me food even when I swore that I wasn’t hungry, and she reminded me to eat even when I had better things to worry about. She taught me art-related things but also that I needed to keep going so that I could be here when things got better. At the end of the day, I felt safest when I was near her. I realize now my statement should’ve been worded differently—Mrs. Calderón was not just a good friend, she was like my second mom. If I could give any piece of advice to AP 2-D Art and Design students, it would be to accept help from others and, if you’re so lucky to have someone like Mrs. Calderón, hang on to every word she says and keep moving forward.
Teacher Statement
Teacher Statement
Patricia Calderon
Karsyn Bratten is a versatile and skilled artist that loves to explore different methods and tools, reflecting her inquisitive nature. After taking AP Drawing in 2021, Karsyn was inspired to challenge her relationship with materials and processes by exploring new methods and techniques. She was even compelled to begin AP 2-D Art and Design in the summer.
Karsyn’s talent is multidisciplinary, reflected by her adept skill across 2-D and drawing media and her passion for mathematics and cellular biology. She holds a strong belief that math is necessary for every aspect of life. Her piece “Unrecognizable” and “Time”; required her to build over 8,200 “squares” by writing the numbers 1 through 8,200 in a manner that formed a grid structure. Her work is conceptually rigorous, offering reflections on society and contemporary events. Her documentation of her studies and processes in her sketchbook is meticulous, and she is unafraid to take an obstacle into her own hands. For example, she has recorded her experimental methodology for creating oil colors for hues she could not find available in stores.
Material(s): graphite, ink, photoshop to edit contrast in reference, pixel art app to break up reference.
Process(es): practiced w piece similar to this, broke up piece into over 9000 squares, use gold to show time pass.
Her artistic growth has been outstanding and developed by her unending curiosity. Karsyn is very dependable, detailed-oriented, a problem solver, and a critical thinker. She is agent and self-motivated in her craft, with an unwavering devotion to finding ever more depth in her art practice. I am honored and proud to have been Karsyn’s teacher. She is very inspiring!
Time｜36 x 36 in.
Material(s): graphite, homemade oils w linseed oils, gold pigment, n wax along w regular oils on canvas.
Process(es): 80 colors n 9000 parts 2 show fractured universe 4 schizophrenia.
Karsyn Bratten
