Senior artists show off their skills at Senior Art Exhibition

Raphyel Jordan turns his computer skills into art

Raphyel Jordan excels at graphic design and computer illustration. His creative process blends a vast repertoire of computer skills with extensive artistic training.

"Technology has done wondrous things for art," he said.

Whether he is painting in Adobe Photoshop to create an illustration or tweaking text and fonts, the computer is essential to Jordan's art.

Jordan's works in the Senior Graduation Art Exhibition include a number of event posters, corporate identity designs and personal design work for a story he is writing.

"Raphyel is able to show a range of work in the show with the common thread of an illustrative influence," said Angela Ryczkowski-Horne, AASU professor of art. "Even the vector artwork used in his corporate identities evokes certain qualities that align with his digital illustrations."

These illustrative qualities are the uniting force behind Jordan's work.
"I'm a graphic designer," he said. "I market for the public. Thus, I'm at their service when it comes to subject matter and themes."

While he may not always be able to pick his subject, his style is all his own.

"When all is said and done, I want the viewer to see the passion in every mark I put in my work. Whether it's the stroke of a paint brush or the shape of a particular font," Jordan said, "no action in any of my art is taken lightly." 


Briana Higgins in dual roles as artist, narrator

Briana Higgins is a visual storyteller. She writes and illustrates the award winning web comic "Rune Masters: Tales of a Demon Slayer" and continues to work on other narrative projects.

"I've always loved doodling," Higgins said, "but I've also always loved storytelling and cultural studies. I create art to invent new, interesting characters and tales to share with others."

Higgins specializes in character designs.

"The characters she creates not only have visual appeal," said AASU professor Angela Ryczkowski-Horne, "they also have intricately developed stories."

In addition to a large number of character designs, Higgins will also display a page from her web comic, a hand-made book written in the artist's own language and a key for deciphering the text.

"I love storytelling—all my work relates back to that, and … focuses even more specifically on character concepts," Higgins said. "Anything that relates to the two falls into my work, though I do tend to favor traditional fantasy elements and humor."
Higgins creates most of her work digitally, although she is also displaying traditional painting as well.

For more of Higgins' work, over 700 pages of "Rune Masters: Tales of a Demon Slayer" is available for viewing at www.rmtoads.com. The site updates daily Monday through Friday.

Jennifer Ashley displays clean graphic design

Jennifer Ashley strives to create work that is both alluring and accessible.

"I like creating something beautiful and sharing it with others," she said. "It is an integral part of who I am."

With such a passion to share her work, it is no wonder that Ashley has chosen to express herself through graphic design and illustration.

"My goal is to create art that is imaginative and also useful," Ashley said.

"Jeni has been working towards children's book illustration while also demonstrating a high level of skill in graphic design print work," said AASU professor Angela Ryczkowski-Horne.

This design work includes package design, event posters and a magazine mockup, all of which are on display in the Senior Graduation Art Exhibition.

While she makes use of her computer skills to create her graphic design work, Ashley is also skilled in more traditional media.

"I prefer pastels and pencils because I feel at ease with them, and they best convey my artistic style," Ashley said.

In addition to her student work, Ashley has begun to pursue a career.

"Jeni has already begun to collaborate with two other individuals across the country to create a children's book," Ryczkowski-Horne said.