Symone Platania is a student in the University of New Mexico s Art Education Program who is clearly establishing her visual identity through this original work.  Here’s what she has to say about Raining Light :   I was playing with the idea of cold foreground vs warm background to help with my interpretation of transformation that happens to the girl in the painting.  She's in a dark place, her soul is like ice; yet, the raining down of light as she looks to the heavens touches her spirit, and the awakening of the soul begins to stir within her. "
The artist uses the butterfly as symbolism for this transformation-- From egg, to larvae, to cocoon, and then emergence.  
8" x 10" (Framed and matted) 12" x 15"
 Medium:  Watercolor and Oil on paper
 
The Art Education Program (ARTE) at the University of New Mexico prepares art professionals to meet the needs of diverse populations in the state and nation.  The undergraduate program educates students toward becoming reflective art teachers who can encourage students to create artworks in response to life experiences.  The graduate program provides students with the opportunity to investigate making and studying art in cultural, social, and historical contexts.  They believe that studying and making imagery is a life-long pursuit for art professionals working in our visually complex society.
The Masley Art Gallery, under the direction of the Art Education faculty, exhibits the work of art education students and faculty members.  Art teachers, school-age students, and other community members are invited to display their work for special shows