Artist: Marlena Reinshagen
Writer: May Lee
Editor: Nathan Turnbeaugh
Too Little Time, by Marlena Reinshagan, is an abstract digital art piece that personifies the overwhelming experience of time’s relentless passage.
Reinshagan embarked on her artistic chapter at a young age, honing her skills as early as fourth grade through extensive practice and artistic studies. While she is primarily a traditional pen and paper artist, her passion for digital art blossomed a few years ago when her parents gifted her a tablet and an Apple Pencil—the ideal materials for the birth of a digital creator. Her involvement in Carlmont’s journalism program further fueled her interest in digital media, as she uses extensive graphics in her news articles.
As for this specific piece, Too Little Time took Reinshagan 1.5 hours to complete. She meticulously crafted each clock using various Procreate brushes, which proved to be a time-consuming endeavor. One of the major challenges she faced was balancing the contrast between light and dark colors. Originally, she envisioned a bright focal point against a dark background, but achieving the right contrast while maintaining vibrancy was more difficult than anticipated.
For Reinshagan, this artwork reflects her own experiences with the passage of time and how her perspective of herself fluctuates over time. For her and many others, time can feel like an out-of-control entity. Overall, Too Little Time captures the essence of how people become increasingly conscious of time as they age. It is a poignant reminder of how time is a precious commodity that accounts for the many metamorphoses of life.
Art Showcase Club 