Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Degree Program

Fine Arts

Department

Fine Arts

Major Professor

Kathy Rodriguez

Second Advisor

Ariya Martin

Third Advisor

Dan J Rule

Abstract

Exploring the connection between myself and my subjects through portraiture, I focus on capturing the fleeting, uncelebrated moments of everyday life. My work reflects my desire to document intimate, spontaneous experiences shared with friends, often recorded through candid iPhone photos. These seemingly mundane moments, such as shared laughter or quiet reflection, are immortalized through painting and elevate the ephemeral to something worth considering. Influenced by artists like Alice Neel, Jordan Casteel, and Nan Goldin, I utilize portraiture as a tool for recording the emotional and social zeitgeist of my generation. I emphasize the power of painting to preserve the essence of life’s moments, creating lasting representations that offer a deeper, more intimate understanding of my friendships and the complexities of youth culture.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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