Since she was in 6th grade, Kamryn Miller, 18, has had a passion for art. While Miller says she didn’t sign up for the second annual Art Battle to win, she still walked away with second place and $300.
“It’s not about winning, it’s about being apart of the community and enjoying art,” Miller said.
Kamryn Miller placed second at the Art Battle on Friday evening with her painting. Artists had three hours to create a piece with the theme ‘Behind the Mask’. (Madison O’Hara/Victoria Advocate)
Things That Match Boutique and Dr. Boom Studio hosted their second Live Art Battle September 13 at DeLeon Plaza. The theme this year was ‘Behind the Mask,’ where 10 artists were challenged to create a painting in three hours. ‘Behind the Mask’ was described as ‘where hidden identity meets open canvas.’
“I [enjoy] when people get to watch me work and create art,” Miller said.
Miller took part in the Art Battle last year and says the best part of the event was talking and connecting with other artists. Her advice to younger artists is to just do it, even if it seems terrifying, and to be outgoing.
Kamryn Miller placed second at the Art Battle on Friday evening with her painting. Artists had three hours to create a piece with the theme ‘Behind the Mask’. (Madison O’Hara/Victoria Advocate)
15-year-old Grant Sauseda describes his painting as depicting a man and wife with the other woman looking on to the married couple. The piece shows a man not committing to his new wife and showcases the hypocrisy of saying one thing but having your actions say another. The bride’s veil is meant to signify her blindness to her husband’s affections for the other woman. To him, faith is an important aspect on his artwork. He named his painting Veil of the Church and Veil of Love.
“This event combines art and fashion,” Jane Pierce, producer of C&J Productions and one of the hosts for the Art Battle and Fashion Show, says.
Ashton Winters works on his painting during the Art Battle on Friday evening. Winters went on to win first place with his piece ‘The Great Escape/The Masquerade Façade’. (Madison O’Hara/Victoria Advocate)
First place and $500 went to Ashton Winters and his piece ‘The Great Escape/The Masquerade Façade. He describes his piece as escaping his cage and showcases the mask he puts on for the world.
Second place was awarded to Kamryn Miller and her painting which she said represents how people are mean on the inside but are outwardly nice. For her piece she won $300.
Third place was awarded to Leo Rivera who won first place at last year’s battle. His painting asks the questions, ‘what are we hiding behind our identities?’
If you are interested in purchasing any of the pieces created at the Art Battle, please contact Jane Pierce on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thingsthat.match or call her at 361-793-9404.
