In the place where she spends most of her time, Moon must convert her chaotic and vibrant art studio back to its original nature, concealing the inspiration for her final series as a student.

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As someone who has used the power of art to cope with her mental health, Moon was inspired to create a series based on different stages of the human condition.

One in four people in the world are affected by mental health. Moon has been familiar with mental health most of her life. Whether it has affected her or her close ones, she has used art as a way to overcome it and inspire others. Working away her stress by pouring it into her art has benefitted her greatly.

 

“The pain tolerance and scale is just different for everyone, but it's like at the same time it's like everyone’s is so valid,” said Moon. “You kind of realize that like that's all life is.”

 

Discovering Her Niche

Moon’s creativity sparked when she was younger after discovering recycled objects. From building houses out of old shoe boxes, to skipping out on school lunch to spend time in the art room, Moon found a passion for art.

 

Moon was a graphic design major freshman year, but soon learned she had the desire to produce events for people rather than images and decided to follow her heart.

​

Her time as an art student has been a roller coaster, full of highs and lows. Moon began to grow as an artist after receiving negative feedback on her work. Learning to appreciate her art and recognize its importance along with having a strong support system made a huge impact on her success.

​

 

Highlighting Her Passion

“Cruel and Beautiful World” is meant to showcase and represent different

cycles of life. 

 

During her senior high school art exhibition, Moon focused her work around

self growth, love and being comfortable with yourself. As a college senior, 

she said she wanted to come full circle and create a series that reflects her

growth and knowledge from the past four years.

 

During quarantine, her brother was at one of the lowest points in his life,

meanwhile, Moon was at her highest. She said that seeing and learning about how ups and downs for everyone are so painful, but so beautiful at the same time sparked interest in her.

 

In order to enhance her senior exhibit, Moon incorporated her art into her style. The rim of each piece of work is lined with black and white stripes. To coordinate, she got the same design on her nails and wore a black and white dress. 

 

The first piece of art, “Hurts to be Alive,” showcases the weight

depression holds on people. Further feelings of hardship are

displayed in “Love and other Memories,” then followed by the

centerpiece “Adam’s Song.” This piece includes photos, fabric,

paint and journal entries that establish the time, space and memory

necessary for vulnerability. “I Seeeeee a Light'' displays song lyrics

that illuminate darkness, representing the power of hope. The series

ends with “I Think I’ll Stay,” a piece that illustrates staying another

cycle in this cruel and beautiful world.

​

Moon will be attending Washington University for graduate school to continue her art career. Although she is leaving, her impact and success in the Athens community will remain. From raising money for the AFSP, having solo art shows, painting murals around town and being featured in Flagpole magazine, Moon has left her mark. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I hope she is able to see the world, paint experiences and capture memories because she has a talent unlike anyone else,” said friend of Moon, Mary Norris. “This talent, paired with her optimism, will take her places she cannot even imagine.”