Sydney Lemmon b. 2002 in Fort Collins, Colorado is a third-generation artist whose passion for art began at an early age. Her natural talent emerged and was nurtured through her young years with the help of her mother who was a high school art teacher. Her dedication to the arts earned her first national recognition with Scholastics Art at just 15 years old. She went on and got a Bachelor of Science in Visualization and a minor in Studio Art at Texas A&M University, where she excelled in painting and video game design. During her time in university, she further refined her artistic practice while studying painting in Florence, Italy. Today she works as a professional artist based in Austin, as a gallery associate at Gallery Dojo, and as a studio assistant to acclaimed painter Felice House. She recently is a featured artist in Southwest Art magazine’s 21 Under 31.
Bio
Artist Statement
From expressive depictions of cats to abstract interpretations of lemons, my work spans a wide spectrum of subjects. Through this diversity, I aim to tell hidden stories throughout my art. I enjoy pairing unlikely objects in uncommon scenarios to create a narrative that invites the viewer. Whether the tone is witty or somber, each piece aims to evoke meaningful connections, offering layers of discovery for both myself and my audience.
My creative process is guided by a deep understanding of light and color. I approach shadows and highlights with the principle that shadows are cool and highlights are warm, shifting the conventional black-to-white value scale to a spectrum of blue to yellow. I completely omit black from my palette and minimize the use of white, allowing a full range of unmuted, vibrant colors to emerge. Central to my work is the color yellow, which serves as a unifying foundation rather than a mere accent. Yellow amplifies vibrancy, enhances spatial depth, and diffuses beautifully into highlights, tying the composition together with energy and cohesion.
To set the tone for a piece, I begin with a bright underpainting, allowing it to peek through in subtle yet intentional ways—often in unexpected details, such as the pupil of an eye or the grout between tiles. This transparency, combined with thick brushstrokes, creates a layered and dynamic interplay between highlights and shadows, adding dimension to the work.
By merging bold, playful imagery with technical precision, my paintings celebrate representational art in a fresh, contemporary context, inviting curiosity and connection through both narrative and technique.
Awards and Exhibitions
Best in Traditional Flatwork • Viza-go-go (2024) – Traditional Flatwork
Best in Traditional Flatwork • Viza-go-go (2023) – Traditional Flatwork
Best in Videogame Design • Viza-go-go (2023) – 3D Digital Game
SRISA Gallery of Contemporary Art Florence, Italy: Exhibition Spring (2024)
Wright Gallery FRESH FORWARD II: Annual PVFA & SOA Student Exhibition (2023)
2nd Place Winner • MSC Gallery ArtFest (2023) – Oil Painting
People’s Favorite • MSC Gallery ArtFest (2022) – Drawing & Illustration
Visualization Department Scholarship (2024)
Silver Medal • National Scholastics Award (2021) – Drawing & Illustration
Gold Key • Scholastics Award (2021) – Drawing & Illustration
Honorable Mention • Scholastics Award (2021) – 3D Multimedia
“Best Teen Art 2021” Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Publication – April 2021
Colorado Art Educator’s Association Award and Scholarship (2021)
Sid Richardson Memorial Scholarship (2021 – Current)
Fall Show Visualization (2021) • 2D Design, Various Pieces
Fall Show Visualization (2022) • Life Drawing & Painting, Various Pieces
Fall Show Visualization (2024) • Life Drawing & Painting, Various Pieces
Viza-go-go Spring (2022) • 3D Design & Drawing, Various Pieces
Viza-go-go Spring (2023) • 3D Design & Drawing, Various Pieces
Viza-go-go Spring (2024) • 3D Design & Painting, Various Pieces
Gold Key • Scholastics Award (2019) – Drawing & Illustration
American Visions Award • Scholastics Art and Writing (2019) – Drawing & Illustration
Gold Key • Scholastics Award (2018) – Drawing & Illustration