Sondra White / Peripheral Visions

My creative practice often centers around close observation of the world around me. Many times, this investigation requires no further travel than my neighborhood or front porch. Objects from nature are of particular interest to me. I enjoy studying them and rendering graphite sketches of the samples that I collect. Later, these sketchbook drawings serve as imagery for hand-cut stencils, relief blocks, intaglio plates, and collage elements. I enjoy depicting objects that I can hold in my hand, paying attention to nuances in line and form. Important people in my life, too, are subjects for my work. I like to capture moments that are fleeting as if through a visual diary or scrapbook. In terms of color, my choices are usually more saturated and vibrant than life. I select hues that fill me with joy. For this reason, my artworks tend to take on a celebratory feel.

My BFA thesis work utilizes printmaking and mixed-media collage to investigate themes of domesticity, nostalgia, temporality, and transformation. The nine artworks I selected for the Laverne Krause Gallery BFA group exhibition are also tied to moments of humor and acceptance.

This body of work has aspects that feel both like a eulogy and a celebration. The paper materials add to the narrative of fragility and impermanence. The overall small scale directly relates to their personal and intimate content. These works are based on people and places that I know well. I delighted in the exploration of each one’s physical characteristics and personality. While the print process allows me to duplicate imagery, I can only repeat moments in time through memory. I am grateful for the experience I have had to reflect, create, and grow here at the University of Oregon. I am thankful for the instructors, students, and my family as they supported me through this BFA year.

@sondrawhitestudio