Artist Statement
Growing up, I was glued to cartoons and comics, as I found them amazing in the way that they could show an exaggerated view of a situation and create never-ending possibilities. I found it fascinating that cartoons such as Hey Arnold, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Spongebob Squarepants and many more could deal with seemingly serious issues such as death, mental health problems, and abandonment and deal with them in a light-hearted way. After being constantly reprimanded in primary school for drawing cartoons and caricatures all over my tests and homework, I realized I could use this passion to send a message and convey my thoughts and feelings to the world.
I carry these experiences into my own work. When creating, I believe it is important to focus on what emotions to convey and who my target audience is. Evaluate their needs and try to give them something to relate to. No matter what demographic I am appealing to, I have realized that everyone enjoys a bit of humor. I have always believed in using humor in the face of what is seen as uncomfortable or grotesque. It is not only a method of bringing out the beauty in something that appears to have none, but it is also a method of relieving the anxieties of the viewer.
The arrangement of formal elements, whether it is an illustration, type, or photography in a design are very important to a successful final product. Not only is it important to meet the needs of the client, but to be relatable as well. Sending a message that can connect with someone on a personal, humanistic level is the key to successfully creating a work of art, and that is my ultimate goal.
Madison Fox
B.F.A. Graphic Design
