Diverse Directions

Author/Artist Name

• Grace L. Rittenhouse, Murray State UniversityFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Spring 4-29-2026

Artist Statement

This body of work explores an evolving fantasy world of my creation through painted illustrations. It emphasizes the beauty of humans and nature using small details like intricate patterns and subtle expressions with soft, blended art in a wide range of vibrant colors. This exploration is mainly through portraiture and original characters.

By using oils, I focus on creating unique characters; drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, and cultures from across the globe. The two works Newborn Star and Moon Prince take inspiration from traditional Chinese fashion, the symbolism of marigold flowers within Mexican culture, and the traditional uses of opium poppies in various cultures. These characters have been with me since I was in middle school and have evolved with my skill and knowledge.  The simple brush strokes speak for themselves when highlighting bright reflections of light  in hair strands and glossy fabric, while the variety of brushes create unique textures. My work also heavily layers with various colors in order to create a sense of depth found in real colors and how they interact with each other.

My characters reflect the fantastical worlds they inhabit, with this exhibition focusing on the ethereal beings that rule over and occupy the night sky. They represent my interest in fairy tales, mythology, fashion and worldbuilding by taking inspiration from different cultures. A strong influence in these works is manga in the shape, line, and colors for the characters, especially artists like Hirohiko Araki, Yana Toboso, and Kamome Shirahama. Araki’s eccentric characters and unique fashion design are incredibly inspiring and add a new layer to his visual storytelling. Yana Toboso takes immense time and effort in researching both historical context and visual references in order to bring a grounded accuracy in her fantastical narratives. Finally, the intricate manga of  Shirahama breathes in a sense of movement and uses that weightlessness to carry your eyes across the pages and immerse yourself in her intricately designed worldbuilding and magic.

Advisor/Mentor

T. Michael Martin; Dr. April Webb

Description

All three pieces within the actual exhibition are Oil Paint on Canvas, one is 28"x32", another is 16"x28", and the final is 36"x12'.

The other Pieces included are all Digital Illustrations. 

Photo Credit

I took most of the Photos, with the Gallery Poster being created by Matthew Lopez, and the Install picture being taken by Ella Cate Downing. 

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Recommended Citation

Rittenhouse, Grace L., "Diverse Directions" (2026). B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499). 90.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art499/90