Aden Moses (he/him) is a senior at George Mason University majoring in computer science. He is primarily a self-taught artist and has been drawing digitally for over 10 years. An illustrator at heart, he values art as a means of communication and storytelling to connect with other people. Many of his artworks’ themes are inspired by contemporary artists and media. He enjoys making illustrations of fantastical characters and worlds as a means of transporting and inspiring viewers.

To him, art defines what it is to be human. It can be used to capture feelings and concepts that are often too abstract to be explored with words alone. It not only moves people, but converses with them. And as an artist, it is a means of directing that conversation. Aden feels that is art’s biggest strength. Whether the individual finds a deeper meaning within the work, or analyses the way in which it was made, or if they just think it looks cool. This is what initially drew Aden to art as a kid and is what continues to fuel him to create more today.

Aden primarily works in digital media but will often work to contrast this by using traditional painting techniques in his pieces. He leans into the usage of traditional textures and brushwork in his art, allowing the artwork to maintain lines and imperfections made along the way. He feels as though his artwork not only communicates a story through its composition and theming, but through the process of its creation.

Similarly, in his work’s subject matter he mixes the natural and manmade, often incorporating the softness of nature with strong, vibrant colors and bold shapes. Aden tends to use the human body as a jumping point to explore other, more broad concepts, by playing on the body’s organic shapes and lines. These factors lend themselves to capturing a sense of surrealism that is often found in his work.

To follow Aden on Instagram:

Instagram: @aden_swsh