If you frequent the populated areas of Taylor’s campus often, you most likely caught a glimpse of several hot pink and lime green posters hanging up around campus.
The advertisements’ unique colors and signature style were striking in themselves. However, they were also decorated with a word equally as intriguing: “künstlerroman.”
Besides being tricky to pronounce, the term is full of meaning.
It’s German for “artist’s novel,” and for the senior art majors who chose it to represent the theme of this year’s portfolio show, it carries the idea of an artist’s maturation — a celebration of their development as they prepare to leave behind the world of art school in exchange for their respective careers in the art world.
Each year, seniors in the art department collaborate to consider how they might showcase their portfolios to colleagues, friends and family.
Historically, the seniors have been separated between groupings of their different art majors; the illustration, graphic design and photography students’ showcase usually takes place at a different time than that of the studio art, art therapy and art education students.
This year, the art seniors chose to come together: one show, one night. The senior exhibition took place on April 19, 2024, at 7 p.m. in Metcalf Gallery.
“The seniors’ job is always to come up with a theme and brand it and then to kind of create a visual look and identity for the show,” Elena Delzer, senior illustration major, said.
This semester, Delzer worked extensively with her fellow students in their portfolio class to brand the event. They took on the design and production of a logo, posters and other advertising materials to communicate the show’s theme and feel.
Other students were responsible for constructing physical props such as benches and signage for the show.
In Delzer’s class, students were given the reins in planning and preparing for the showcase. In crafting the show from scratch, they learned to navigate the coming together of each other’s different visions, manage funds and make decisions.
“It’s pretty fulfilling to look at something and be like, ‘Yeah, we spearheaded that,’” Delzer said. “It wasn’t just because a prof would like it or (doing) something to get a grade.”
At the show, each student was given their own area to bring their portfolio — four years of work — to life.
Delzer is grateful for the chance to have displayed some of her printed products, including stickers and prints, for purchase at the showcase.
“I’ve been prepping my portfolio for such a long time now, and I think just holding multiple years of work in my hands in a book is a good feeling,” she said.
Growing up, Delzer was homeschooled by her mom, who was an artist and a school art teacher. She loved participating in her mom’s art classes and always wanted to be an artist when she grew up.
Delzer’s favorite art method is drawing, and she enjoys incorporating fun color palettes into her work. She recalls drawing inspiration from illustrator and children’s book author Brian Selznick, best known for his book, “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.”
At Taylor, Delzer has sold her products at Shop the Loop and works for Birrama Creative, a collaboration of student artists on campus.
Recently, Delzer also had the opportunity to illustrate a children’s book written by Donna Downs, associate professor of communication, which will be published soon. Delzer is looking forward to seeing the fruits of her labor when the product reaches the hands of readers.
Throughout her time at Taylor, the illustration department has been a great blessing to Delzer. She’s been specifically impacted by close relationships with her fellow art classmates.
“I can call them my friends, but they also give me feedback that’s really helpful, and I’m really inspired by them to be the best artist I can be because I think they’re also so great,” Delzer said.
She’s also grateful for her illustration professor, Jonathan Bouw, who developed a strong mentee-to-mentor relationship with her.
Bouw’s presence throughout Delzer’s art career has been special to her.
“He’s just so knowledgeable and ready to set aside his time to help me with things and give me his sincere thoughts,” she said.
After graduation, Delzer will intern with Woodmen Valley Chapel, a church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Following the internship, she hopes to continue working in graphic design and freelance illustration.
“I’m just really excited to take what I’ve learned and be able to step outside of the school setting and just use those skills now,” Delzer said.
In thinking about how she wants to wrap up four years of maturation as an artist conceptually, Delzer has come to recognize that this is only the beginning for her.
“It’s really interesting to look back on my work and see themes but also see how I was able to explore so many different directions,” she said. “I think it’s also interesting to realize that I thought when I reached this point I would be like, ‘Phew, thank goodness I’m done,’ but I’m actually more thinking, ‘Okay, I have so much more I want to keep developing.’”
To follow along with Delzer’s artist journey, check out @elena.delzer.illustration on Instagram.
