Camping

Progress Photos

Artist Statement (Meena Phan, class of 2026): This mural shows 3 original characters that are camping and enjoying the moment. I think this piece shows my childish side and the part of me that will never grow up. I want people to look at my artwork and forget their worries during stressful times. I chose orange, yellow, and blue as the primary colors in this piece as I thought they go well together and each character has a predominant color. 

My work is an exploration of the internal landscape. I use character design to bridge between imagination and personal identity. In this art show, I focused on three original characters that represent different sides of me. 

My influence for the aesthetic of these characters is indie games like Little Nightmares and Cuphead. I pair these characters with realistic backgrounds. This contrast serves to ground them within the real world. This  also shows my duality.

How do these characters represent me? They are different ‘versions’ of myself that I navigate daily. I often feel like my emotional state contrasts - shifting between being an emotional mess and a sudden burst of energy. My art allows me to give these internal states a physical form. Each character serves as a physical avatar for frames of mind. Riley represents my guarded side; they are the part of me that grew up too fast and feel a constant pressure to perform. To others, they are the “chill guy” and reserved. Then there is Sydney ,my extroverted energy, the one who takes the lead and acts on instinct to try to keep those around them happy. Finally, we have Clementine, the child within. Timid but deeply curious, she represents the part of me still searching for a sense of self in a world that often feels unknown.

I think many can relate to me. There is a side that we don’t show to a certain someone because we know that they might not like it. Through Riley, Sydney, and Clementine, I invite the viewer to look behind the masks we wear. Whether it is the cautious nature of Riley, the social performance of Sydney, or the quiet curiosity of Clementine, these characters reflect the universal struggle of finding oneself in an uncertain world.