Author: Angel Ramirez

A red-headed Caucasian girl in a sleeveless mini dress sits on the ground in an alleyway between brick buildings at night. She has a smoking matchstick that has likely been used to light the floating candles depicted around her, some large near her, with others small and in the background. There is an open box of matches on the ground to her right. Her shoe lies just to the left of her right foot, her left leg tucked underneath her right leg, and she is barefoot. The painting appears to have a paper rough sketch over it that has been torn out in the center in a ragged oval shape, and parts of the paper are burning. She looks up at one of the candles directly in front of her.

Posted on: September 21, 2026 Posted by: Angel Ramirez Comments: 0

A Twist in the tale: The Strange, Beautiful Worlds of Tatsuki Hakoyama

By Angel Ramirez, Staff Writer and Photographer When the familiar Becomes Strange What happens when the ordinary world begins to feel unfamiliar? In Tatsuki Hakoyama’s paintings, the answer takes shape through surreal landscapes, unexpected characters, and moments that seem to exist somewhere between reality and imagination. A businessman rides a giant sea turtle. A woman holds a rubber duck in the middle of a snowy landscape. A man kneels beneath…

Triple set of paintings depicting a horse and its owner. The outer two show the horse and owner on sunny days. The one to the far left shows a female owner patting the nose of the brown horse. The middle shows the horse with a halo against a starry background. The one on the right shows the owner riding the saddled horse on a bridle trail.

Posted on: April 28, 2026 Posted by: Angel Ramirez Comments: 0

MV art students showcased at Juried Exhibition

Photo by Angel Ramirez, Staff Photographer By Angel Ramirez, Staff Writer and Photographer The 2026 Juried Student Art Exhibition at Moraine Valley, held from March 24 through April 19, showcased a diverse and compelling collection of student artwork across a variety of mediums. The exhibitions highlighted the creativity, technical skill, and conceptual depth of emerging artists, offering people an opportunity to experience a wide range of perspectives and artistic approaches. From traditional drawings and paintings to innovative mixed media and three-dimensional works, the exhibition…

A collage of 2026 Oscar winners, three on each side of an Oscar statutette with Conan O'Brien's face in place of the head on the award. Pictured vertically left side: Jessie Buckley, Coleman Domingo, and Timothee Chalomet. Pictured vertically right side: Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, and Zendaya

Posted on: April 6, 2026 Posted by: Angel Ramirez Comments: 0

Hollywood stars step out in style to collect Oscar awards

Graphic by Logan McQuaid, Graphic Design Intern By Angel Ramirez, Staff Writer The 2026 Academy Awards delivered a night of allure and cultural narration of Hollywood’s iconic influence on global entertainment. The Academy Awards were held in early March at the iconic Dolby Theatre. This year’s Oscars blended tradition with glamour, offering a ceremony that was presently and futuristically celebratory. From the stylish red carpet looks to emotional acceptance speeches, the event captured worldwide phenomena. The evening began with a red carpet that was nothing short of stunning. Celebrities arrived in a remarkable array…