Ashley Franco Capstone

Left and Right - Ashley Franco

  1. Face 1
    White charcoal on black paper
    42"x21"
  1. Face 2
    White charcoal on black paper
    42"x21" 
  1. Face 3
    White charcoal on black paper
    42"x21"
  1. Face 4
    White charcoal on black paper
    42"x21"
  1. Face 5
    White charcoal on black paper
    42"x21" 
  1. Eyes 1 and 3
    White charcoal on black paper
    Eyes 1: 10.5"x42"
    Eyes 3: 10.5"x42"

Artist Statement:

Being a twin has had me wondering if two very similar individuals, working separately, would interpret specific emotions in the same way. Just like a science experiment with a procedure and unknown outcome, my project will consist of my twin and me photographing and drawing half of our own face expressing mutually agreed upon emotions. All drawings will be done in secrecy, so only when the drawings are finished and combined into one face left and right together, will the outcome be known. This experiment will reveal what is different about our unique interpretations. Not only will the unknowns of the work come from our facial expressions, they also come from the techniques and styles of drawing that we use to capture the expressions.

Biography: 

Ashley Franco grew up in Long Beach, California and moved to Minot, North Dakota to join the art program at Minot State University. Franco is currently a senior working on completing her BA in Art along with a business administration minor. She enjoys exploring and experimenting with different mediums as she works to build her own path and better define herself as an artist. Drawing with charcoal is her preferred skill and medium with which she excels in creating hyper-realistic drawings. Her work has been displayed at 62 Doors in the 2015 “Art in the Dark” exhibition and also in the 2017 and 2019 Minot State University “Juried Student Show.” While devoting her time to developing as an artist, she also found success as a student-athlete, earning achievements in soccer, cross country, and track and field. Franco currently lives in Long Beach, California where she is applying the artistic knowledge, experience, and skill she acquired in the MSU art program.