I have always loved drawing upon nature for inspiration for my artwork, especially for my pieces in metalsmithing. The tension between the organic, pleomorphic elements found in nature and the rigid, unyielding structure of metal is an idea I like to explore in my work. This piece, titled “Enter the Kraken” (derived from Bruce Lee’s iconic movie “Enter the Dragon”), is a sequel to a vase I had made a semester prior, but this was an extra challenge to myself: to make a smaller, more lifelike version of an octopus that is free standing.
My name is David Brown and I am an M1 who runs a small photography business, DB Photo Co. I started photography in high school for fun with taking photos of my friends here and there. My freshman year at Kansas State, I got a job as a university student photographer which really allowed my skill to increase as I worked under two very phenomenal photographers. With some guidance, I was able to start DB Photo Co. and begin developing a portfolio as I took on senior photos, graduation photos, engagements/proposals, and weddings over the past four years. Some of my favorite memories have been from behind the camera, and I hope to keep doing photography alongside medicine in the future!
After taking Step 1, I traveled to California to camp out in Big Sur where there is no phone service. We slept under the redwoods, woke before sunrise, and spent time hiking and taking in all the stunning views. This photo is of the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge, which is one of the most highly photographed places. It was so stunning, so I spent a while trying to capture it the best I could!
The Doctor’s Notes is a musical group made up of first year and second year medical students from the University of Kansas Medical School. These students perform A cappella songs at many school events. The group will perform the song “Hallelujah” at the Willed Body Ceremony as tribute to the people who gifted their bodies to be used to further our medical education.
For me, cooking has always been a form of creative expression. It’s unique in that there are set guidelines that one can and should follow, but variation and combination of these guidelines allow for an almost infinite number of possibilities. As a skill, it provides people the opportunity to grow and create in a very forgiving and approachable way. Since my first year of undergrad, I have used cooking as a way to relieve stress. Alongside its practical function of producing food, I have found that cooking is an incredible way to learn more about culture and history all over the world. There is always some new technique to learn or some new recipe to perfect, and that process is something I really appreciate.
“A Crowning Achievement” A three dimensional piece made using metal-smithing techniques, and made out of copper and gold leaf. Pictured above is Angela Li modeling her metalwork headpiece.
Having been a cross-disciplinary student studying both biology and visual arts, my undergraduate work sought to combine the two interests, which can be seemingly contradictory but also surprising similar. Most of my work is inspired by nature; the natural world around us is incredibly beautiful, with all the different forms and colors, and it is also scientifically fascinating because every element exists for a purpose and is a specific adaptation. This contrast and tension between rigidity and fluidity is an idea that underlies the pieces I make in the metalsmithing studio, in an effort to find a balance between the two.
“A Crowning Achievement” truly serves as a culmination of my undergraduate artistic career, twisting together realism and fantasy, and striking a balance between delicate and aggressive. It had always been a dream to make a headpiece and this piece specifically was inspired by the costuming and design of the Lord of the Rings series. The making of crown was a challenge to myself: to make something as flat and lifeless as metal sheets into something that was three-dimensional and organic. So, this crown is made almost entirely of thin copper sheets that has been hammered into hollow branch forms; these branches were soldered, hammered again, cleaned, electroformed, patina-ed, and finally gold-leafed.
“My project is exclusively made of stained plywood, glued on top of one another and then cut down into, and finally sanded to created the smooth valleys and plateaus. This really cut into the costs.
When I first started medical school, I found myself disappointed at the lack of creative outlets it offered me. We were constantly expected to absorb, absorb, absorb, and then regurgitate knowledge. We exclusively took in information, never creating anything for ourselves. I decided to find my outlet elsewhere, via smaller wood sculptures and projects.
Sculpting doesn’t apply directly to my future life as a physician, but instead balances it. In the world of medicine, I’m constantly compared and evaluated against a “standard” or a “correct answer” or even my fellow peers’ performance. In the world of sculpture it’s just whatever I want to do, complete freedom.”
Connor Stubblefield is an M2 at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She is also an accomplished cello player and a member of the band Temple Worship.
“Temple Worship is the praise team for the College and Young Adults Class at Midtown Baptist Temple. A band formed with a heart to respond and obey to the Spirit’s leading. Each of our members is different: some have full time jobs, others are full-time students, some are classically trained musicians while others are self-trained. We are white, black, Hispanic, blue-collar, white-collar…but we are the temple, and we offer our worship. The Lord deserves to be praised, and Temple Worship seeks to invite all who will listen to join.” –C&YA
“During my gap year before medical school, one of my goals was to discover a new hobby. I was looking for one which I could utilize to make small, unique gifts for my friends and family. I explored quite a few, but embroidery turned out to be the perfect hobby for me. It is neat and clean, requires only a few supplies and makes a fun gift as well.
The pattern I most enjoy designing are floral patterns in these adorable three-inch frames I found online. I made the First Bouquet in early spring of this year, and it hangs on the wall in my room. This was the project that inspired me to make more floral designs. I gifted The First Flower Basket to my wonderful aunt who lives in Pakistan. Happy Birthday, Tehrim is a piece I made for my best friend; who also happens to be my sister-in-law. I gave Pink and Maroon to a kind and fun friend from work. Honey for Pooh Bear is the first cartoon pattern I attempted, and I am pretty happy with the result. This one hangs on the wall in my room as well.
Looking back, I am happy with my decision to take a gap year for several reasons. One big reason is because it allowed me time to discover this new hobby. I look forward to designing more pieces throughout medical school and using my new creative outlet to take a break from studying – for just a little while, of course. “
–Maria A. MallickClass of 2023
“Pink and Maroon”“Happy Birthday, Tehrim”“Honey for Pooh Bear”“First Bouquet”“The First Flower Basket”
Med Intima 