As part of Delbarton’s annual AP Art Exhibit, we continue our AP Artist Spotlight series featuring the creativity and vision of our senior artists. This week, we highlight Colton Bienko ’26, whose sustained investigation explores how motion and stillness coexist in the natural world, using color, linework, and texture to reveal nature’s quiet energy.

“My sustained investigation explores how I can show the motion of nature through color and linework, while also taking into account the moments of stillness,' he explained in his artist statement.

Colton began his work with drypoint etchings, creating images of flowers and waves. Through smeared ink, layered plates, and intentional color choices, he suggests the subtle sway of wind and the rhythm of the tides. As his work progressed, he experimented by incorporating oil pastels into etchings to contrast crashing waves with stationary rocks.

He draws inspiration from the flowing, energetic brushstrokes of Vincent Van Gogh, whose bold use of color and motion aligns with Colton’s vision. Over time, Colton shifted toward more surreal and expressive color palettes, using repeated imagery and swirling forms to capture rhythm and energy over time. In one piece, he placed multiple drawings of the same bush side by side to capture subtle movements we often overlook.

More recently, Colton has explored how texture and color alone can convey the movement of the sun across the sky as it interacts with still objects like trees. His portfolio reflects a focused mission: revealing the vibrant motion that exists within nature’s stillness. “Overall, my work reflects my goal of revealing the quiet energy that exists within nature's stillness."

We thank Colton for sharing his artistic journey and insight, and we look forward to the next AP Artist Spotlight in this year’s series.