The Deep End

Photo by Julie Gunderson.
Photo by Julie Gunderson.
Photo by Julie Gunderson.
Photo by Julie Gunderson.
Photo by Julie Gunderson.

Name: Julie Gundersen

Major: BFA Drawing and Painting

Year: Fifth

“Life cycle, morality and impermanence have been constant themes within my artwork. As a way to comment on our ephemeral nature I treat each figure with a degree of abstraction by blurring the boundaries between the figures and their environment. In my oil paintings this is achieved through painterly brushstrokes, in the watercolors I use layers of images and designs, and with alcohol ink I construct a dissolving type of atmosphere. Through each of these techniques I hope to foster more compassion in my audience by reminding them how connected and temporary we are all are. The way I see it we are all on this giant rock together, bubbling into life on the surface.

 

I was also lucky enough to exercise my illustrative muscles working as the cartoonist here at The New Paltz Oracle. I’ve seen a lot of different faces over these past six semesters and I’ve drawn a lot of different hawks. Being here for so long I worked under a handful of chiefs and witnessed several different generations of writers — all crammed in that tiny orange office like an uncanny family. Each semester that office was home to a unique batch of incredibly talented people, and each semester a few of our family members would be lost to graduation. I’m so grateful for the time I spent on the staff at The Oracle, but now it’s my turn to join the alumni graveyard. So… this is me signing off.

If you need me I’ll be riding into the sunset on a tumbleweed (naturally).”