Shannon Guilbault

Tactile relief, inking plate, and collage on paper.

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Poem:

"I was left ruins

that crumble in place

designated historian

yet somehow

an adventure still awaits

so out there I go

to escape

I need to leave my mark

on this world

before it's too late"

The film flashes from scene to scene

as the storyline escalates, the music  speeds up feeling rushed, dazed, and confused. The antagonist sends unclear horrific messages that  disempower, humiliate, and causes the protagonist to spiral. The ending is left as an open interpretation between which path the protagonist takes. Either building strength to stand up for themselves or burdened by fear leaving unresolved issues - which they will have to overcome enventually.

Poem:

"Trying to find

my sense of self

where I am

everything and

everyone else

I have all

within myself"

Poem:

"If I could hold

a number

or second in time

maybe I could appreciate

everything

all the time"

"I am greatful

for all I can be

for all I know

I could be 

skipping through

field of flowers

or buzzing like a bee

well I guess we will see"

Typically feminine energy is represented as the left side of our bodies and masculine energy is the right side. If we put ourselves in the subjects' positions, the woman sits to the left and the man sits on the right. The man rests the left side of his head on a woman's right shoulder. The woman tilts her head to the right towards him almost appearing as if their heads could be touching each other blending and exchanging energy. The man stares straight ahead at the seen viewer. The woman is looking off in the distance to the right at the unseen and casts a shadow of her side profile onto the man's forehead. Their body language and expressions feel peaceful like they are able to rest around and rely on each other as is.

Poem:

"In nature's image

we are ourselves

in nature's eyes

we see ourselves

in nature's touch

we do not connect enough

in nature's ears

we say our wishes

in narure's tounge

we all are one"

Poem:

"Fall fell

but orange leaves

remained

untouched by the harshness

of winter

they froze in place

as the soft framing snow melts 

the leaves

replenish to green

reminding us

to allow time for growth

even if frozen between"

Poem:

"Dear Student,

I hope this portrait

finds you well.

You will achieve great things

I will as well.

I am here for you

if you ever need somebody

or homework help.

From,

Another Student

trying their best 

as well"

Poem:

"With deep sadness

colbalt blue shows

the vibrancy

and grace of the

soft fuscia  rose"

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Poem:

"I lived here since birth

now others want me out

they try to chop me down

a birdie told me 

the ill bird I care for

would be nestless and bone

so I needed to leave

fly on my own

I gathered twigs to build my own

and returned to the nest 

reclaiming my home"

Poem:

"How did I get here

into this mess

I don't want to

live with regret

a puff and sip

taunt me to forget

the pain and suffering

and all that is yet"

Poem:

"I held it together once

but it is no more

I could try to reassemble the pieces

but they're on the floor

I could pick them up

but it would hurt me more

there I lay on the floor"

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Poem:

"I grasp at water

that turns to smoke

it transcends its liquid form

so it cannot be seen anymore

we sometimes forget

it becomes itself again and again

and the cycle never stops

it only transcends"

A streetlight illuminates the ground below and trunks of trees. The glow dissipates above and below the imagery creating a vignette. The imagery in between becomes a liminal space and seems as it could be on the corner of nearly any street. The trunks of the trees are illuminated a vibrant red and their roots are hidden beneath the concrete. The trees stand opposing the dead wooden utility pole holding the light connecting to other powerlines. The network of man made powerlines contrast the network of tree roots that all depend on each other to survive and maintain their own light, life, and connection to function. Even during quiet hours they talk.

Poem:

"I do not know 

the unknown

I do not fear 

what I do not know

because what needs to be revealed

will be seen crystal clear"

Poem:

"We're on our way

some on our own

others with loved ones

who help each other grow

we're all moving forward

with different stops to make

to live our purpose

each and every day"

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Poem:

"I will never fit in

if I did

I would never win

this endless battle

being something 

I am not

so I will not try

to fit into your imaginary slot"

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Three expressions gaze looking as if they have just been decieved with tears streaming down their faces. Their eyes are the aftermath as they try to forgive and listen to the viewer looking back.

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Poem:

"Why do you make me cry?

Was it another lie?

Why should I believe you this time?

Why would I?"

My concentration discusses our belief systems from aliens, witches, monsters, fairytales, fears, mental health, the concept of time, our growth,  and more.

Acrylic paint on canvas board.

An abstract body attempts to wraps itself around it's being. Distorted faces are used to visualize Schizophrenia as they attempt to grasp ahold of themselves.  Hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking surround their mind.

Annually, Band Aid is a fundraising event showcasing student and staff musical talent. I created the poster, helped setup/takedown the event, and photographed/videoed the performances. The poster is inspired by the colorful lights, lava lamps, snowflakes, and cozy stage decorations.

Poem:

"We need each other

flower and bee

oh honey

thank you for the delivery

you'll help us grow

more for you and me

so take your time smelling the flowers

but make haste honey 

for your queen"

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Poem:

"The Eath brings

all that we need

our food

our homes

our eternal being

I thank the Earth

and all it brings

breathing life into

all that be"

Poem:

"Everyday 

I climb higher

It's hard to tell today

from the day before

but when I look back

I was just a seed

nothing more

now I bloom

and shed the leaves

I do not need

I am thankful

to have grown from seed"

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A self love experiment buying a single rose for myself. A vibrant green stem stands with curling leaves and tender red petals. It's soft grey shadow casts reminding us of the unseen darkness and thorns that accompany beauty and love.

Poem:

"I got a rose!

I bought it for myself,

but anything helps!

Because my love

Is for me, who else?"

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Pink Dogwood flowers emerge from the edges of the photo in the foreground. Bright green leaves emerge from the top left corner in the midground. The branches in the framing the sky in the background. 

Poem:

"I look through

Pink blossoms of love

Remembering the branches

That once hung

Love itself

And blessed be the death

And rebirth of thyself"

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Poem:

"Thank you anscestors

for the wisdom and lives

created to learn and heal

the lessons and blessings

our families bring together

let love and joyful memories

triumph the wounds

may we heal together

and build lives of our own

wherever we go

knowing

we will always be home"

Poem:

"Tucked in sheets

we hide

in darkness we meet

our fears, troubles, and monsters

during our dreams

we recall

they have control

when we open our eyes

to no surprise

they were never there at all"

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Poem:

"I stand outside

I look into the life

that could have been

Are you in there?

Will you let me in?"

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Two clay sculptures on wooden board with acrylic paint, gold leaf, chains, screws, nuts, wheels, and bolts.

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The bottom half of the wooden board holds a black clay brain with chains, screws, nuts, wheels, and bolts. The black brain and black linework drawings symbolizes negative thought patterns, being stuck, heavy thoughts, restriction, and distress. The center shows a figure reaching from being held back from the unhealthy brain and thought patterns towards the top section of the board towards the red, healthy brain surrounded by gold leafing, symbolizing positive thoughts. 

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Poem:

"What do you do

when nothing fits

you go to the store

and it won't zip

you ask

do you have a size larger?

its okay if you don't

but they never do

and you loose hope

why am I crying

in a room filled with clothes

that remind me

what my body already knows"

Poem:

"I protect my body and soul

for it is my home

when the covers fall

please don't judge me 

I know my flaws are beneath

don't remind me

because I will be vulnerable

so you can feel seen"

Poem:

"I follow security

guided, protected, and escorted

through life

there's always higher to go

I take it step by step

because I know

I will get to wherever I go"