LCAD MFA

As an artist, graduating LCAD MFA in Painting candidate Xiangwen Wu (2020), uses oil paint to tell stories about life's dualities and how he faces them. In half of his paintings, he is an eternal optimist, creating an ideal world that reflects his heart's pursuit of a beautiful dream. For example, to express the harmony in his life, he paints portraits of his beautiful wife. In the other half of his paintings, he assumes the role of a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist, describing negative human emotionslike panic, restlessness and anxietyby painting portraits that exist in a frightening, and sometimes insane, world. More about Xiangwen Wu: https://www.instagram.com/wu.xiangwen/ More about LCAD's MFA program in Painting: https://lcad.edu/program/painting-mfa

Graduating Laguna College of Art + Design MFA candidate, Dan Nguyen (2020) is a figurative realist painter born and raised in Vietnam. After earning her BFA in Fashion Merchandising in 2016, she was ready to explore another of her great passions: Painting. Distinct for their bold and vibrant colors, Dan’s narrative paintings tell stories of relationships with those she values and hold close in life. The figures in her workwhether climbing trees, dancing, laughing, crying, o...r dressing to impressare neither afraid to be themselves nor uncomfortable in their own skin. Nguyen makes art to express her personality and to portray her love for the friends she considers family. With each painting, her acceptance of and love for her friends and family grows stronger, despite the imperfections inherent in love, life and relationships. More about Dan: dannguyen.art More about LCAD's MFA program in Painting: https://lcad.edu/program/painting-mfa

To Laguna College of Art + Design 2014 BFA in Drawing & Painting alumna and 2020 graduating MFA in Painting candidate, Pegah Samaie, art making and viewing is a guiding star that helps her cope with life's bad experiences. In the presence of art, she is alive. Art provides a blue sky. And with art, her world becomes more colorful. Her paintings explore the beauty of birth and serve as symbols of women showing their inner strength in full bloom, delighting us and showing us how beautiful life can be. More about Pegah: www.pegahsamaie.com More about LCAD's MFA program in Painting: www.lcad.edu/program/painting-mfa

Following the lead of artist @tomcroftartist, Laguna College of Art + Design MFA in Painting alumna, Angie Jones Art offered a FREE digital portraits to the first 12 US Health Care frontline workers to DM her. To sweeten the deal, she is making a giclee print of each of the original pieces (up to 36"x48") and is shipping them. When the restrictions are lifted, Angie will present an exhibition of all the portraits. Pictured here: ... Gaëlle Simmonds @karma0312 is an Occupational Therapist @SkilledNursingFacility. Her favorite part of her job is seeing her patients light up as they gain independence with every day meaningful activity. Thank you to Gaëlle for all of her hard work and contributions during this trying time and beyond. Your dedication, commitment, and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. Tamandra Morgan @tamandra__ is an OBGYN Resident Physician @UCSF. Her favorite part of her job is experiencing the excitement and emotions that parents feel when they hear their baby's first cry. Thank you so much, Doctor Tamandra for all of your service and care. Your service to patients is making thousands of differences every day. We thank you for your dedication, commitment, and courage. Melissa Stucky is a Physician Assistant @EmergencyDepartmentKaiserWestLA. Her favorite part of her job is sending patients home who are happy with their care and working alongside fantastic health care workers. Thank you to Melissa for your compassion at this time of crisis. Your service to patients is making thousands of differences every day. We are lucky to have you working to helping battle this pandemic. Edwin Jose is a BSN, RN @Kaiser Medical Center, Emergency Department. His favorite part of his job is SAVING LIVES! msThank you to Edwin for everything you do during this time of crisis. We understand how hard it must be risking your lives to help others during this pandemic, but it is appreciated, and it is because of you that others can feel safer during this epidemic. We hope you stay safe and healthy.

Laguna College of Art + Design alumnus, Shane McClatchey (BFA & MFA) has deep roots in Pointpleasant Beach, New Jersey and lifeguards every summer in nearby Springlake, NJ. To help support his friend's businesses during these uneasy times, Shane designed these t-shirts for 4societee that they are selling to directly benefit local surf shops. Shane asks, "Is that you in the tube? Or is that Bruce Springsteen? Hard to see from up here so you’ll have to buy one to know for sure...." - Shane McClatchey Webpage: https://4societee.com//bare-wires-outlet-surf-shop-tee-shi While you're on the 4societee website, check out the t-shirts that directly benefit the Laguna Beach High School surf team: https://4societee.com//copy-of-the-laguna-beach-surf-zone-