Antonia Ruppert, Portfolio
This portfolio consists of original paintings and songs. There is original music that corresponds to the paintings. It can all be found below.
Sheet of paintings and songs:
and the QR codes for each song is here:
Hope in the Desert, Acrylic on Canvas, 20x20, 2020
Beautiful Joy, Oil on Canvas, 12x16, 2020
Because of the Resurrection, Oil on Canvas, 36x36, 2018
Blissful Mary, Oil on Canvas, 24x30, 2019
Springtime for Lil Robbie, 20x24, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 2023
Jon Veal Still Speaks, Oil and Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Canvas, 2023
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Oil on Canvas, 20x24, 2022
That Look, Watercolor, 14x14, 2022
Contemplation, Charcoal, 22x30, 2023
Libations for George, Charcoal, 22x30, 2023
Inside Light, Watercolor and Sharpie Marker, 8x9, 2023
Celebration of Life, Watercolor, Sharpie Marker and India ink, 8x9, 2023
Mature Love, Watercolor, Sharpie Marker and India Ink, 8x9, 2023
Joy Dancing, Watercolor, Sharpie Marker and India Ink, 8x9, 2023
Tears for that Palestinian Boy Stabbed in Chicago, Watercolor, Acrylic, and Sharpie Marker, 8x9, 2023
Artist Statement
Being a little girl in Chicago’s Austin Community during the 80s meant I had a front row seat to something bigger than me. As a young girl, I would come to the library and take out books that would take me away. Little did I know I would one day be illustrating stories about the neighborhood.
I did not realize at the time that as bussed children from one location to another in the city, we were part of a system. I did not realize at the time as our neighbors begin to move in and out of the block, that we were part of something systematic that was happening. Only years later would I discover that the Austin community as well as many other communities in Chicago and other urban areas were the result of systematic, intentional segregation. Redlining, immobilization of people, food deserts and discrimination are just words until you pair it to someone’s life. The artwork that you are seeing celebrates the life of people. the resilience of individuals and the ability for Hope to reign.
When I was approached about doing this project, I thought it would be a series of portraits that will make you feel good, and maybe put at the living room wall. But I found in my research and talking to people was a profound something that I still cannot peg.
These paintings and words images were shared with me with the permission of many people who have been connected to Austin and North Austin. That’s why this series is called North Austin Voices. Over a six week period of time we met and people shared their stories with me. I am so grateful by the trust.
We also held two workshops in which residents expressed their love for the community. These formed many of the backgrounds of the paintings.
The paintings and the words are strongly tied together.
I chose to work in this fashion with acrylic and collage because I wanted to be able to get the story down and include different types of medium. I wanted to tell the story. This is the collective story, the collective dreams and hopes and aspirations of people. We are at the tip — just the beginning of deeper stories of what’s there.
I am thankful to the Chicago Public Library (North Austin Branch) for allowing my imagination to have full reign.
Being a little girl in Chicago’s Austin Community during the 80s meant I had a front row seat to something bigger than me. As a young girl, I would come to the library and take out books that would take me away. Little did I know I would one day be illustrating stories about the neighborhood.
I did not realize at the time that as bussed children from one location to another in the city, we were part of a system. I did not realize at the time as our neighbors begin to move in and out of the block, that we were part of something systematic that was happening. Only years later would I discover that the Austin community as well as many other communities in Chicago and other urban areas were the result of systematic, intentional segregation. Redlining, immobilization of people, food deserts and discrimination are just words until you pair it to someone’s life. The artwork that you are seeing celebrates the life of people. the resilience of individuals and the ability for Hope to reign.
When I was approached about doing this project, I thought it would be a series of portraits that will make you feel good, and maybe put at the living room wall. But I found in my research and talking to people was a profound something that I still cannot peg.
These paintings and words images were shared with me with the permission of many people who have been connected to Austin and North Austin. That’s why this series is called North Austin Voices. Over a six week period of time we met and people shared their stories with me. I am so grateful by the trust.
We also held two workshops in which residents expressed their love for the community. These formed many of the backgrounds of the paintings.
The paintings and the words are strongly tied together.
I chose to work in this fashion with acrylic and collage because I wanted to be able to get the story down and include different types of medium. I wanted to tell the story. This is the collective story, the collective dreams and hopes and aspirations of people. We are at the tip — just the beginning of deeper stories of what’s there.
I am thankful to the Chicago Public Library (North Austin Branch) for allowing my imagination to have full reign.
Despite the Red Line, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Red Lined Love, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Sanctioned Dreams Only, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Gangs to the Rescue, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Black Butterfly Launching, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Looking Forward, Looking Back, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Black Butterfly Suppressed, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Fixed Income, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Whatever Happened to Zayre, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
Though He Threw a Rock At My Window, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Panel, 12x12, 2024
There is original music that corresponds to the paintings. It can be found here.
Sheet of paintings and songs:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1si1XuYD906mTQacdrdFRoh4Q5T352a4_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113873762111198739727&rtpof=true&sd=true
and the QR codes for each song is here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sgX2mgZgx-jR6MObtP1oruIJFPpldyF-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113873762111198739727&rtpof=true&sd=true
