Greetings everyone! I don’t know about you, but the Spring weather here has been absolutely gorgeous! I hope you all get to experience such a blessing as we delve deeper into the season. Speaking of gorgeous… this next student spotlight has some of the most gorgeous artwork I have ever seen! This artist works in a variety of media, each with a level of mastery that I cannot help but to admire! I would like you all to meet . . .
Sydney Shurgin
Year: 2028
Major(s): Illustration
Minor(s): N/A
Clubs: N/A
I am majoring in Art because…
I have been raised with a mindset to always pursue what I love. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I have been drawing and creating ever since I could put crayons on paper. I think it’s powerful to have the opportunity to contribute to the world of art and to be able to send a message in a beautiful and intriguing way.
The kinds of things that inspire me are…
nature, the use of bright colors, flowy shapes, movement and artists that aren’t afraid to step outside of the box.
My favorite art class so far was…
surprisingly my typography class. I learned so much and got to work on very interesting and diverse projects. For example we had a project where we had to redesign currency, and it had me thinking why haven’t we changed the appearance of our currency and why aren’t there any women on them in 2026? Its projects like this that challenge me conceptually and introspectively.
I also really enjoyed my figure drawing class. I was able to work from a live model twice a week and gain a great understanding of drawing people. It was such an immersive experience and I could really see my progress throughout the weeks through my drawings.
When I am not in class…
I am working on art commissions, hanging out with friends, and training martial arts. I have been taking commissions through my Instagram, drawing people and their pets. It’s always very rewarding to see people’s reactions to their portraits. Continuing art commissions and Kung fu help me feel connected to home when I’m away at school. I have been training Authentic Shaolin Kung fu since I was 6 years old, and now I am a black belt. The beauty of technology has allowed me to continue training even when I’m 5 hours from home through Zoom.
The coolest thing I have done at Marywood so far was…
create art for some of my most respected professors.
When I graduate…
I would love to work for a book cover design company. I plan on juggling many different avenues but mainly book design sounds very intriguing to me.
I would recommend the Art program at Marywood because…
it creates so many learning opportunities and I have made amazing connections to very talented peers and professors.
What excites me most about Art is…
The wide variety of mediums it comes in. I find it important to try many different mediums and not just stick to one. I think it’s very interesting learning the new rules and tricks to use different mediums.
Do you listen or watch anything while creating? If so, what do you watch or listen to?
I love making playlists on Spotify so right now I’ve been listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and the GooGoo Dolls. When I’m not listening to music I’m watching my favorite show “Arrested Development.”
If you were given unlimited resources, time, and motivation to complete your dream project, what would it be?
I would love to create a mural one day. I know it seems very different from my book cover design dreams but working on that large a surface is just very intriguing to me.
What advice do you have for young artists who are just starting?
Try things outside of your comfort zone. There are so many things I have come to love that once were very intimidating. Expect the unexpected and become comfortable with uncomfortable situations.
The amazing Sydney Shurgin! I am always impressed by the wide breadth of media that Sydney tackles in all of her pieces! Her paintings are as beautifully crafted as her typography pieces are well-designed, and her graphic design is just as stunning as her illustrations. The way Sydney approaches her subjects with creativity and determination is a true inspiration. Her figure drawings have continued to catch my eye each class, and I love the way she handles her shading and line-work. Those Trader Joe’s brochures are also so creative, innovative, and cohesive. Every new piece that Sydney brings to the table is better than her last.
I hope you have all enjoyed this latest student spotlight! If you would like to see more of Sydney’s work, you can check out her Instagram!
Happy Spring!
-Rebecca Prowse