Ashland, Oregon
Award of Excellence: $2,000
Age 22
+ ENLARGE IMAGE
© 2008 Mieke Ryneal, Picasso, acrylic on canvas (36" x 24")
Mieke Ryneal creates abstract images that represent how she views the world around her. She found frustration in trying to capture realistic images through drawing because of her difficulty with fine and gross motor skills. Instead, placing bright colors within various shapes gave her the satisfaction that she sought.
Ryneal prefers to work in markers, but since starting with Studio Sfumato in Oregon, a studio for artists with disabilities, she is now painting. Her mother says, “Art is probably the one thing that has had the most positive impact on her life” and she can spend hours creating.
Picasso is one of Ryneal's first artworks using the technique of filling in outlines with brightly colored dots as well as her first portrait piece. Her process allows her to work on one area at a time without becoming overwhelmed by the whole of the composition.