Chelsey Magaoay Blaire is a studio art major in her third year at SDSU. In her spare time, she likes to take her Corgi on walks and watch Netflix. Chelsey grew up in Grass Valley, California, where nature, and boredom, were very present. To entertain herself, she did crafts such as playing with yarn and coloring in coloring-books. However, unlike the average kid who simply colored the pictures, Chelsey would add to the backgrounds. Her parents noticed this, and began to buy her sketch books. Since then, Chelsey’s love for drawing and painting has only grown.

Now, Chelsey focuses on portraits and abstract work that involves nature. Nature, along with personal experiences, inspire Chelsey’s artwork. When I asked her what art means to her, she answered, “Art is an escape.” It was an escape then, and it still is now.

Chelsey then shared her favorite pieces that she’s created.

The first piece she chose is from her “Fantasy” project. “Fantasy” is her most recent painting, and was done in her Realm Life drawing class. She said that this class helped her figure out what direction she wants to take in the future.

This is an embroidery piece she made last semester called, “These Hands.” It is an identity piece, as she used to play with yarn as a kid, and a representation of many ideas tangled together.

The last piece Chelsey chose is “Self.” She created this last semester in her digital photography class. “‘Self’ is a representation of everything I comprehend…I’ve learned about being comfortable in my own skin, and I try to reflect some of that confidence in my art work.”

After she graduates, Chelsey hopes to curate her own touring gallery with a team of different artists. She believes that working in a team is part of the experience and helps you learn.

Featured image provided by Chelsey Magaoay.