Digital Commons Network^™

Professional Practices Art399, Bronwen K. Chun-Ming

Professional Practices (ART 399)

I work in oil paint, as well as clay. These mediums allow for expressive and textured application of medium. My love for ceramic work started in a 6th grade ceramics class and has continued to grow during my time at Murray State. Clay as a medium lends itself to the themes of my work, human and bodily experiences. Clay keeps a record of every touch and mark, creating a deeper connection between myself, the work, and viewer. My ceramic work is handbuilt and intentionally related to the figure/body. Finished pieces are rarely glazed and are instead treated with oxide or …

Matthew Lopez Art399 Portfolio, Matthew W. Lopez Mr.

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Artist Statement — Matthew Lopez

At the heart of my practice lies Lucky Void, a persona and creative extension of myself that thrives within and alongside the warfighting community. My work is a tribute to the culture and contradictions that define the modern warrior. Through the use of mediums such as graphic novels, videography, photography, illustration, and the reworking of "acquired" military gear, I explore the identity and aesthetics of those who live within our niche community.

The visual language of Lucky Void rejects the overused tropes that dominate both mainstream and military art—the endless parade of skulls, nods, and …

Kailee Goff Art 399 Portfolio, Kailee Goff

Professional Practices (ART 399)

My current body of work explores the intersection of graphic design and photography through the format of a lifestyle magazine. This work highlights individuality and diversity, an appreciation for the uniqueness that each person has to share. By combining visual storytelling, portraiture, and thoughtful layout and typography, this project creates a space where people can be seen for who they are and celebrated for their individuality.

I sought out and photographed some individuals I had never met before, engaging with their lives, perspectives, and stories. Each photography and layout design was created using Adobe Creative Suite, merging image and typography …

Raini Evergarden: Art399-Fa25 Portfolio Final, Raini Evergarden

Professional Practices (ART 399)

The value of an American worker has long since been measured in the value they provide in the enlargement of a billionaire’s wallet. Manipulated and oppressed by the system, American laborers have been reduced to shells of themselves, their sole purpose to keep the machine running. My work picks up the broken narrative and reflects the modern effects of violent American Capitalism on the working class.

Lithography and book arts are inherently anti-capitalist. The process and laborious nature of printmaking and bookbinding is inefficient, unruly, and full of failure. It resists the capitalist obsession with speed, productivity, and optimization. Through …

Ryan Bridgforth Art399 Portfolio, Ryan Bridgforth

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Inspired by the philosophies of design duo Dunne & Raby, my work bridges research, future thinking, and creativity through a process known as speculative design. Partially inspired by my own experience with chronic illness, as well as interest in human technology interaction through writers like Charlie Brooker, my recent work focuses on telling the story of neuromodulation, a technology that uses stimulation to alter nerve activity, typically to fight drug-resistent pain and chronic conditions. Product design, advertisements, and other future objects are used to envision a world where this technology is as prevalent as smart phones.

Though the topic is …

Ella Cate Downing Art 399 Portfolio, Ellen C. Downing

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Artist Statement

Ella Cate Downing

Rooted in subjects such as Faith, growth, and Biblical truth, while incorporating child development and how a child interprets certain subjects, is found throughout my work. Drawing from narratives that come from the Bible, and how children learn and understand these topics. My work draws directly from scripture and utilizes symbolism to help children learn and deepen their Faith. Intertwining both how a child learns and my Faith is ultimately what my works are about.

Soft, vibrant colors and a more simplistic style are what viewers see within my work. Using a more illustrative minimalist …

Method In Madness, Mckenna A. Brownfield

Professional Practices (ART 399)

My art allows me to show people the world from my perspective. I have autism, so many things are different for me. Through bold lines, geometric shapes, and intense contrast, she creates work that captures her unique perception. I use charcoal, and color conveys unrealistic and unnatural forms that exist to emphasize that they're in my mind rather than reality.

The art has a lot of floral aspects; it makes the connection between nature and people; without people, nature will overgrow and demolish any/everything, yet without nature, people would never survive. The deformed people are based on me; I deal …

Optimization In The Synthesis Of Dual Ionic-Liquid-Functionalized Cellulosic Materials, Megan L. Franke

Honors College Theses

There is a growing urgency to develop sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials as concerns about environmental impact and resource depletion intensify. Among renewable biopolymers, cellulose stands out as one of the most abundant and versatile organic compounds on Earth. As the structural backbone of plant cell walls, it provides rigidity and mechanical strength, while its abundance, biodegradability, and tunable chemistry make it an attractive candidate for sustainable materials. Beyond its traditional uses in textiles, paper, and food additives, cellulose has been increasingly investigated in polymer chemistry for advanced

applications. The present study aims to optimize synthetic routes to dual ionic …

Maria Gaetana Agnesi And The Proto-Feminist Movement, Katherine D. Wahnsiedler

Honors College Theses

Maria Gaetana Agnesi, a mathematician and scholar from the 18 th century, is an important historical figure who received a position at the University of Bologna. She is the second woman ever to be appointed to a University professorship, laying the foundation for other women in academia later to come. Many historians interpret Agnesi’s life to be representative of early feminist ideas and would therefore be an example of a proto-feminist. However, this is not accurate, nor is it an ideology Agnesi likely would have subscribed to. Analyzing primary sources written by Agnesi and her contemporaries helps provide insight into …

Across The Pond, Across The Waistline: A Comparative Look At The Childhood Obesity Crisis In The United States And United Kingdom, Samantha N. Eales

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity is no longer just a local concern; it’s a global epidemic shaping the health of future generations. This paper compares how two similar nations with drastically different healthcare systems, the United States and the United Kingdom, tackle this growing crisis. Although both countries struggle with fast food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and targeted marketing, their health policy strategies differ dramatically. The U.S. leans on community programs and education, while the U.K. enforces stronger national regulations and advertising restrictions. By examining nutrition, physical activity, and policy, this thesis explores what each country does well and where they fall short. It …

Effectiveness Of Education On Increasing Training Likelihood: An Analysis In Relation To Physique Inflation, Reid J. Venable

Honors College Theses

Resistance training is a widely recommended form of exercise for enhancing muscular strength, improving metabolic health, and promoting overall quality of life. In addition to these benefits, perhaps the most popular reason for participating in resistance training is to achieve muscle hypertrophy and attain a desired or aesthetic physique. However, various factors such as the use of performance-enhancing drugs and social media have led to “physique inflation,” a cultural phenomenon in which exposure to highly enhanced or unrealistic body types shifts perceptions of what is considered a “normal” or attainable physique. As a result, many individuals avoid or delay resistance …

Virtus Fidelis: Design In Modern-Day Catholicism, Elisha N. Butryn

Honors College Theses

Art plays a major role in how we view the world, and particularly, how we view religion. This thesis explores those themes and how design appears in modern-day Catholicism, and how Catholicism can impact design through the development of the brand Virtus Fidelis.

Characterizing The Relationship Between Parturition In Beef Cattle And The Lunar Phase And Meteorological Factors., Caroline E. Chambers

Honors College Theses

For beef cattle, parturition is one of the most critical stages in the reproductive process. It is crucial that farmers understand the factors that may influence the timing of parturition. There is a persistent preconception that the onset of parturition is influenced by the lunar phase and weather factors. The objective of this study is to characterize the association between parturition in beef cattle, the lunar phase, and/or different weather factors such as barometric pressure and temperature. Cattle records were obtained from Chambers Family Farm in Cumberland Furnace, TN. Data was collected from 142 calvings from January 2017 to October …

Strategic Business Planning For An Optometry Practice: A Comprehensive Approach To Market Analysis, Operations, And Growth, Molly Elizabeth Weber

Honors College Theses

This study is a comprehensive analysis of the field of optometry in order to develop a business plan which could be utilized to open a new optometry practice. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats are all studied in order to gain a robust view and offer insights of how a business would fair in the field of optometry to allow entrepreneurs to make informed decisions in business endeavors involving practice operations, market terrain, and growth potential.

Indexing A Spanish Choir Book To Trace Its Provenance, Amelia Lutz

Honors College Theses

A choir book from the rare books collection at Saint Meinrad Archabbey has little established about it beyond its dimensions and its label “Spanish Gradual.” By first exploring the historical context of liturgical books created after the Council of Trent for use in Spain, implementing a paleographical analysis, and indexing the chants included in the choir book (cantorale), I have established evidence to suggest its dates and likely origin. Following Fr. Columba Kelly’s framework for analyzing chant, I have begun a comprehensive index of the chant melodies and feast days included in the Spanish Gradual for Cantus Database.

Exploring Communication Strategies With Esports Fans: Signaling Physical Location And Popularity, Gavin Nolin, Ismail Karabas, Skylar King

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Purpose

Using signaling theory as a theoretical foundation, this study aims to investigate how consumers respond to message framing emphasizing physical location and popularity of an esports team. Additionally, this research looks at how power distance belief, need for uniqueness, sense of power and pride in community are associated with consumer intentions (e.g. support likelihood, watch likelihood, follow on social media likelihood) as a function of physical location versus popularity-signaling in team communication with prospective fans. Design/methodology/approach

This research uses an experiment to test the effects of physical location and popularity-signaling on consumer intentions toward an esports team, as well …

Exploring Future Educators’ Roles In Classroom Aac Use: Insight Into Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes, Katrina M. King

Honors College Theses

The United States public school system requires the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for qualifying students with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Speech, language, and hearing related disabilities are among the qualifying categories (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Students with these disabilities may have complex communication needs (CCN), or significant limitations in their speech, language, and communication abilities (Communication Rights Australia, 2018). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), a type of assistive technology, offers support for these students, however, several barriers inhibit full communicative participation (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], n.d.-a). …

"Fragments", Zachariah M. Alexander

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

My work explores identity, memory, and womanhood through portrait photography that reflects personal experiences that shape emotional and psychological growth. With each photograph, I aim to convey a transition between innocence and maturity, dependence and independence, and fragility and strength. The series challenges notions of innocence and maturity, fragility and power. The process of creating the portraits is shaped by an admiration for moments of strength and struggle in the women I have grown up with those who are part of my family or closest friendships. There is beauty in those contrasts in that the reality is women are human …

Ba/Bs Senior Show Fragments, Hugo S. Hodge Hsh

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

TALKING WITH VISUALS

In this exhibition there is a variety

of typographic and layout design

that I composed illustrative

imagery around. This is mainly

because I’m developing job

skills and a intrinsic joy towards

creating something from your

head into reality. Designing my

drawing lets me tell stories, depict

the world I see and learn more

about the things in it. There’s a

new appreciation to be gotten

out of even basic things like the

industrial design of an apple

product or the fashion design

of an outfit. The world is vastly

different when I get to record and

analyze …

Fragments, Kailee Goff

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

My current body of work explores the intersection of graphic design and photography through the format of a lifestyle magazine. This work highlights individuality and diversity, an appreciation for the uniqueness that each person has to share. By combining visual storytelling, portraiture, and thoughtful layout and typography, this project creates a space where people can be seen for who they are and celebrated for their individuality.

I sought out and photographed some individuals I had never met before, engaging with their lives, perspectives, and stories. Each photography and layout design was created using Adobe Creative Suite, merging image and typography …

Fragments, Vuanh Pham

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

My work draws on animals, birds, and, most recently, flora as symbolic vessels through which the human experience can unfold. By placing our intricate emotional capacity into the bodies of creatures and plants, I create a space where the complexities of being human can be observed from an outside perspective from my own. These forms allow me to explore the intensity of emotional growth—its highs that feel like flight, its lows that demand shedding, retreating, or transforming.

Animals and birds become stand-ins for our instinctive selves: the parts of us that react, protect, yearn, and adapt. Their movements and postures …

Fragments, Samira Johnson

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

Being Black and Puerto Rican in a predominantly white area requires a flexible sense of self. I struggle to express my complex cultural identity in a way that feels authentic. Instead, I often feel like I’m performing an oversimplification of who I am. This body of work explores multifaceted identities through clown imagery. Clowns enact emotions through bold makeup, patterned clothing, skits, and props. It is their job to play the part. Similarly, I choose to hide behind the appropriate social mask out of a sense of obligation. Clowns are joyful symbols of humor and childhood, but thanks to horror …

The Best Of Whinot Productions, Adam R. Ashlock Mr.

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

Art is a space where humor and absurdity are welcomed with open arms. It's a way to break down barriers and connect with others—especially when traditional social interactions are challenging. Growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) means I've navigated a world that often feels out of sync with how my brain works. Conversations are challenges, and it’s easy to feel disconnected from the people around me. But growing up I found that humor is a universal language. It's a great way to find common ground and create a shared experience that feels natural even when other forms of connection …

Blush Records, Laurel O. Guess

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

Some of my earliest experiences with music had nothing to do with sound. Before I even understood the concept of musical artists and bands, I would go through my parent’s cases of CD’s and pick out my favorites based solely on the cover art. The cover often shaped my expectations long before I pressed play. The relationship between sight and sound, and the ability of design to suggest a whole world in a single frame, stayed with me.

Blush Records is a fictional record label created as a way to explore how music culture shapes visual identity. This project looks …

Learning Different, Randi N. Miget

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

The biggest way graphic design can have an impact is how it interacts with individuals. It is both a necessity and pleasure in society that has the power to give solutions to problems and makes those solutions accessible to everyone. Taking inspiration from my family’s own experience with my younger brother who is on the autism spectrum, I have seen the challenges that come with accessing good neurodivergent education and decided to address those challenges by bringing the solution to the very homes it affects. Learning Different is a variety of branding and product design projects for at-home learning aids …

Fragments, Rose M. Craig

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

My work explores the intersection of functionality and self-expression through jewelry. Jewelry is a piece of art that often becomes emblematic of the wearer, revealing fragments of identity and how someone chooses to be seen. It serves as a second skin connecting form and function and becomes both a form of personal expression and presence. My pieces connect the body and materials, using form, structure, and materials to create a narrative related to the wearer's identity.

This exhibition features three pieces of jewelry alongside photographs of the jewelry modeled on the body . Keeper of the Vulnerable balances fragility and …

Fragments, Jakyah Acree

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

Growing up, I’d always been infatuated with fairies and other mythical creatures. After losing my mom during my second semester here at Murray State, I felt a strong urge to reclaim my childhood as a way to both remember and honor her. Cosmic Fayes, Cursed Immoral Rouge, and Cursed Corrupt Fiend take inspiration from both the whimsical and the dark sides of fantasy. The female fairies are vibrantly colored and ornately dressed.

They draw inspiration from Winx Club and Art Nouveau. Each is dressed in a way that represents their individuality but remains cohesive hinting at the fact that they …

Beyond Batik, Irian S. Christie

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

I create batik works to tell stories about family, culture, and identity shaped by experiences. As an Asian American artist born in the United States, with roots in the American South and Indonesian, I use batik portraiture to explore how my two cultures meet and shape my identity. Batik began in Indonesia and is often defined by repeating patterns and motifs. My work extends the tradition into portraiture to explore identity and belonging. I use batik to portray people, to reflect relationships, and to hold space for what feels sacred, especially in a world that often asks us to separate …

The Flower Bed, Mara Gagel

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

After the initial loss settles, and grief takes root, it transforms into something else: negative space. It becomes the absence of something that was once so constant in your everyday life that, suddenly, something as simple as a vacant desk chair reminds you of what’s missing. In turn, grief can also bloom, and transform into a sense of community that you may not have had when the loss was first planted. The Flower Bed is a branded communal garden space that focuses on suicide awareness and prevention, but also acts as a representation of everything I wish I could have …

Communication, Education, And Trust: Exploring Client Compliance, Treatment Plan Adherence, And Perceived Patient Outcomes In Veterinary Medicine, Isabella J. Eads

Honors College Theses

Unlike human physicians, veterinarians are unable to directly communicate with their patients and must utilize client-veterinarian interactions to achieve the desired level of patient care. Communication, client education, and trust have been previously identified as important aspects of veterinary clinical interaction, and this study aimed to assess how these variables influence client compliance, treatment plan adherence, and perceived patient outcomes in veterinary medicine. This study utilized an electronic survey to collect data from 68 participants in regard to research questions centered around client-veterinarian interactions and how they play a role in client perception and overall patient care. Screening questions and …