Excavating the Ancient College Application Portfolio

Remember how I said you could learn a lot from your own art? These pieces I found aren’t exactly what I was referring to, but are, instead, a selection of works that I applied to colleges with back in 2016. I still have a deep fondness for my little handmade books, but I honestly can’t believe I was let in anywhere with what I found on my old Slideroom accounts!

I’m at least glad that I’ve made improvement since then.

Honestly, I don’t hate the work I was doing with pens and watercolor in 2015. I used this art style again for the interiors of my handmade bound books!

Could a high-schooler with depression make THIS?!

I remember feeling So Cool for being allowed to draw naked people in AP Art. Don’t worry, HS Alexa, you get somewhat better at drawing hands and feet.

Accordion book of my deep, dark fears. Fun fact! I still have the same fears!

I lovingly made all of these with the backs of old sketchbooks instead of book board. The short books are about the size of my hand.

Side One of “Pretty Rad!”. It’s pretty cute if you can zoom in and read it. I was really just starting to figure out my artistic style and voice— Even though the technique Isn’t Great, I have a big soft spot for this book.

Side Two of “Pretty Rad!”