Pilar Duran is a senior Visual Art and Design Academy (VADA) student at Santa Barbara High School. Duran’s love for creating runs deep, influenced by a family that has always encouraged artistic exploration. Through years of experimentation and growth, her work has evolved.

For Duran, art has been a part of life for as long as she can remember. Coming from a creative family, she was always encouraged to express herself through various artistic forms. 

“My whole family is very creative, so I’ve always been surrounded by many different types of art,” She explains. But it wasn’t until she joined VADA in her freshman year that her skills began to truly blossom. 

Duran’s experimentation with multiple mediums led her to discover her favorite—acrylic paint. Having dabbled in watercolors and oil pastels, acrylic stood out for its versatility, particularly when it comes to layering. 

“Much of my work includes layering that I find easy to achieve when working in acrylic,” she says. 

Caroline Absher, Brooklyn-based oil painter and her favorite artist, has shaped much of Duran’s recent work with her use of bright, unrealistic colors.

 “The color scheme is what I find most interesting about other artists’ pieces rather than the subjects or themes,” Duran explained.

Currently, Duran is working on her AP Studio Art portfolio, which revolves around the theme of secret ways of communication. This project reflects her ongoing exploration of how to convey complex ideas through her art. When faced with creative blockages, she often turns to Pinterest, until a spark ignites a new project.

For Duran, art is often born from moments of intense emotion or experiences that leave a lasting impact. She notes that some of her best work comes from these moments when she has an idea that “just won’t leave her head” or when she needs to express something deeply personal. 

One of her favorite creations is her work titled Forget It Not, an oil piece she completed during a summer program at Idyllwild Arts Academy. This particular work holds sentimental value as it represents the culmination of two weeks of intensive study, resulting in a final project she is incredibly proud of.

Looking ahead, Duran envisions herself staying closely connected to the art world. Her aspirations include working in an art museum or owning a small gallery, a reflection of her desire to constantly surround herself with creativity and artistic minds. She also plans to continue showcasing her own work in galleries and public spaces, contributing to the artistic community.

For now, her work can be seen at Fox Wine Co. in the Funk Zone, where she is part of a joint mother-daughter art show running until October 2. Duran also maintains an online portfolio, featuring a broad selection of her creations. For inquiries or to view her work, you can visit her portfolio website at https://sites.google.com/view/pilarduransportfolio/art-work/painting?authuser=0 or contact her directly at [email protected].

Image Courtesy: Pilar Duran