Trevor Doell’s (BFA Art, 2020) portrait of Crystal Methyd was include in the 59th national juried exhibition of “Watercolor USA”. This annual exhibition features the very best in contemporary American watermedia. The exhibition is on view at the Springfield Art Museum through August 16. This work was also honored by a special Purchase Award and will remain in the permanent collection of the museum. Crystal Methyd is the stage name of Cody Harness who competed on the 2020 season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and became a national sensation and finalist.
Doell’s Artist Statement: “Finding my place in the LGBTQ community was a major role in my acceptance. When finding people that you can connect with on a personal level because you share similar stories, you begin to build a bond. That feeling of friendship then begins to turn into more than that – they become your family. For me, personally, I found my chosen family within the drag community. When seeing my friends perform in drag, I can sense the confidence that they embody and it’s as if nothing can knock them down. For me, as a gay man and also as an artist, this gave me the courage and confidence in myself to be the person that I truly am. These paintings area representation of not only the idols that I look up to but also people who taught me to love myself for who I am all the while giving me a place to finally feel accepted.”
Doell graduated from Missouri State University with a BFA in Art in the spring semester and more of his work can be seen in the virtual BFA in Art Senior Exhibition Exhibition 2020.