The 2024 Creative Outlook Cover Contest Second Place winner is Ayesha Jasmine Sen, a freshman at Sam Houston State University. Her digital piece Greedy captivated the judges with its intriguing concept and artistic depth.
Sen, 18, has been drawn to art since her early years. It was in 4th grade, after drawing a tiger that received praise from her classmates and teachers, that she began to see art differently. That moment sparked her artistic journey, and the excitement she felt has only grown as she’s continued to explore new styles and techniques.
“That energy has never left,” she shares.
While digital art has been her primary medium, recently Sen has developed a love for oil painting, appreciating how the paint flows together. The limitless nature of digital art, however, allowed her to bring Greedy to life. Inspired by angel imagery and the concept of a fallen angel, Greedy explores the contrast between innocence and hidden darkness.
“I wanted to portray that somehow with Greedy: a seemingly innocent angel that turned out to be not so innocent the more you looked,” Ayesha explains.
Sen’s creative process began with loose sketches in her sketchbook before transitioning to digital work. She focused on using loose strokes and experimenting with colors and textures to mimic the feel of a traditional painting, giving her piece a distinctive style.
Art plays a significant role in Sen’s daily life, offering a sense of stability amidst the pressures of school.
“When I’m stuck all day at university, I think about being able to go home and paint my worries away,” she shares.
Whether she’s stressed about her studies or anxious about the future, art is the outlet that helps her refocus and find calm.
Sen finds inspiration in a wide range of artists, from impressionists like Claude Monet and John Singer Sargent to contemporary artists such as Yuming Li and Huaishen J. She’s particularly inspired by their ability to create natural, human feelings in their art, and she admires the Impressionist Movement’s focus on capturing the energy of a moment rather than simply replicating an image.
For young artists, Sen’s advice is to build a strong foundation in the basics.
“I wish I would’ve stopped avoiding the basics so much and actually spent some time understanding how the face and the body fit together. A strong foundation and understanding in art can only help you grow faster.”
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