By Katie Posey
UC Santa Barbara Art student Anna Sophia Monzon explores the nature of balloons in her latest art series “Up, Up, and Away.” Last week Monzon filled the Glass Box Gallery on campus with her lively balloon art and opened it to the public.
In an interview at the show’s closing reception, Monzon spoke about the artistic process behind the series.
“It started off as an abstract realism assignment in Intermediate Painting,” said Monzon. “And for some reason I had a lot of pictures of balloons on my phone.”
Monzon then found herself sketching balloons in her house that were left over from her housemate’s birthday, and she began to envision a series. She feels inspired by vibrant colors, an element that motivated the balloon themed collection. Monzon also finds inspiration in films, Pinterest, and pop culture that she encounters in her day-to-day life.
Monzon says that becoming an art student at UCSB has fueled her artistic process. For a while, she stopped painting due to scheduling complications that inhibited her ability to take painting courses. But she was able to pick up painting again this year. Now that she’s back in a painting class, Monzon feels that she can discover more about herself as a painter.
“The classes I’ve taken here have pushed me out of my comfort zone,” said Monzon. “I create my most interesting art when that happens.”
Going forward, Monzon plans to keep creating art, explore her artistic style, and see where it takes her.
Be on the lookout for more student art exhibits at the Glass Box Gallery located in Building 534 on campus.
Last week, Anna Sophia Monzon exhibited her new art series “Up, Up, and Away” at the Glass Box Gallery on campus.
Katie Posey is a third year UC Santa Barbara student majoring in Communication. She is a Web and Social Media Intern for the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts.