Defne is a Boston-based artist and computational biologist who loves blending the serious with the silly. Their paintings often feature skeletons, animals, and odd little scenes that mix humor, curiosity, and emotion — like a possum trotting along holiday lights, a skeleton lost in thought, a cat mid-yawn. Much of their work plays with color and gesture to explore how something strange can still feel familiar or tender. Their background in science shows up too — in the way they experiment, observe, and let each painting evolve in its own direction.

I am an art student at Massart who is currently on the path to becoming an illustrator. I have been creating art as long as I can remember and do not plan to stop any time soon.

Ysabel is a self-taught artist with a background in economics, though her true passion lies in painting. Since childhood, art has been her way of making sense of the world. Her work is defined by vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes, focusing on how color can convey depth, contrast, and emotion. Ysabel enjoys working across various mediums, including acrylics, oil pastels, and digital media, but is most drawn to the boldness and intensity that acrylics offer.