My senior art project at Dominican University in River Forest consists of two large-scale canvas paintings depicting architectural views from Italy: a panoramic scene of Florence viewed from a balcony and a smaller companion painting of the Colosseum in Rome. These works originated from an initial proposal for a mural installed in the staircase connecting the third and fourth floors of the art building. The fourth floor houses the majority of the art studios, and the mural was intended to visually draw students upward—sparking curiosity and encouraging greater engagement with the art spaces above.

This project is both deeply personal and academically informed. I began my undergraduate career as a computer science major, despite having been an artist since childhood. Walking through the art halls while pursuing a different path often felt discouraging, as I knew art was where I truly belonged. That realization led me to change my major to graphic design and later add painting, resulting in my current double major and senior project. Alongside my studio practice, I completed several Italian language, history, and cultural studies courses, where I became deeply interested in the Renaissance—not only as a historical period, but as a mindset rooted in curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking, and creative renewal. This project explores how those Renaissance ideals can be reinterpreted and applied within a contemporary academic setting.

Although the project began as a mural, logistical concerns surrounding heating, cooling, and potential HVAC repairs required a shift in format. To avoid potential damage or permanent removal, the work evolved into a movable installation of canvas paintings, allowing the school flexibility while preserving the integrity of the artwork. The paintings themselves also underwent a material transition: I initially worked in acrylic but shifted to oil paint to achieve greater depth, atmosphere, and longevity.

While painting is the primary medium, this project is informed by my background in graphic design. I am documenting the process through photo and video media for Instagram and my website, developing visual case studies that reflect both artistic and design-based thinking. I am also exploring the creation of a zine that captures the project’s progression from concept to execution. The project will culminate in an official exhibition and public reveal on April 8, presenting the completed works as a multidisciplinary installation that bridges painting, design, personal history, and Renaissance-inspired ideals within a modern academic environment.