University News

Student Creates Original Artwork for Foundation

December 5, 2012

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MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University junior Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate Tanisha Wisslead of LaHarpe (IL) has a new addition to her portfolio … the 2012 WIU Foundation holiday card, which will be sent to hundreds of donors, alumni and friends this month. Wisslead received a commission this fall for the design she created for the Foundation's 2012 card.

"I decided to represent Sherman Hall by taking my own painterly approach to the project, making it look almost like a watercolor painting," said Wisslead. "The particular silkscreen process I used to create the Sherman Hall winter scene allows me to leave my own handmade marks in this piece. I believe these marks add movement and show some of my unique style.

"The original artwork is a fine art silkscreen," she explained. "I translated this image of Sherman Hall using silkscreen techniques. I chose to make this image using the silkscreen process because I enjoy the versatility and color range that silkscreen allows. The processes I used involved a direct brush stroke technique and hand-drawing to build up the layers of colors in the image. All of the colors in this print are transparent and overlap. There are a total of 12 separate colors, which translates to 12 screens in this image."

The original print, which was matted and framed, was donated by the WIU Foundation to the Performing Arts Society (PAS) Gala and Silent Auction in November. The 26.5" x 20" finished work was purchased by WIU Physical Plant Director Scott Coker and currently hangs in his office.

"The Foundation always looks for opportunities to showcase the work of students," said Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Brad Bainter. "Tanisha is the recipient of the Foundation's Patricia Bulkeley Scholarship, which is awarded to art majors with a GPA of 3.0 and above. She is an accomplished artist, with a bright future, who has been assisted by private support. Her work on our holiday card is a perfect greeting for our friends who so generously provide for student scholarships."





Posted By: Julie Murphy, WIU Foundation (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing