Semester of Graduation
Spring 2025
Degree
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Painting and Drawing
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In this exhibition, In The Thick Of It, my paintings and sculptures serve as a visual diary of my experience moving to and navigating life in Louisiana. Through art, I document this new landscape and atmosphere, capturing my evolving emotional state, shifting focus, and emerging ideas. As an outsider, the process of discovery introduces layers of tension, curiosity, and fragmentations in my paintings. The spaces within my paintings reflect a constant flux, mirroring the ongoing adjustments to Louisiana’s cultural cues, history, and environment. The complexity of this rich yet challenging place permeates my art, creating dynamic, layered compositions that echo my adaptation and interpretation of my surroundings. Art becomes both a reflection of my personal experience and a tool for mapping my journey in an ever-changing environment.
Date
3-19-2025
Recommended Citation
Leavens, Mark T., "In The Thick Of It" (2025). LSU Master's Theses. 6099.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/6099
Committee Chair
Denyce Celentano