Sophia ​C​. '24 recently claimed first prize in the "Places of Kent" art competition, sponsored by the town of Kent's art galleries. Sophia's artistic journey, unique style, and future aspirations provide insight into her creative world.

Artistic Style and Influences

Sophia describes her artistic style as "mixed media." She explains, "I love finding ways in which I can combine mediums in a natural and beautiful way in which both mediums get complimented by the other; the work I submitted is a combination of watercolor and acrylics." She also shares her artistic influences, stating, "I am inspired by artists such as Roberta Boffo, Kelogsloops on Instagram, and MP Gautheron."

Approaching the "Places of Kent" Theme

For the "Places of Kent" competition, Sophia chose to capture Kent's sunset clouds. She expresses, "I felt it was a direct reflection of Kent's beauty, both its physical location and its community." Sophia provides insight into her creative process, sharing, "In terms of making the actual artwork, the mindset I use for the creative process is first dividing the image into layers, and then into colors. After the main colors and shapes are drawn, it's the details that bring life to the piece. This is when I ask myself 'What kind of mood do I want this piece to have? How do I show it? Where do I want the viewer's attention?' Details are, in most cases, the answer."

Future Artistic Goals

Sophia is diligently working on a thought-provoking portfolio. She states, "My goal is to inspire the viewer to answer the above questions while using my artworks as prompts." She elaborates on her theme choice, saying, "I chose to do this theme because I believe it brings a whole new meaning to my art; I can make efforts to reach the viewer's mind and make them think more than any of my single detailed artworks can." Sophia's ultimate goal is to create interactive artworks that encourage deeper exploration and provide valuable insights.