What is your medium?
I work in varied media, including, but not limited to, ink on paper, oil markers on wood panel, spray paint and digital images. I utilize whatever material will allow me to express what I am feeling at the moment.
What themes do you pursue?
All my work is intuitive. It is meditative and the process has a calming effect on me. I allow the work to unfold and when it’s finished it “speaks” out. Others often interpret my abstract work as what you see under a microscope, such as bacteria and marine life. In my image-based pieces, I often use old family photographs, as well as shots of places that I feel attracted to. These works are personal and through them I explore past relationships. The memories that these photographs bring forth, and the imagined realities that I create digitally by removing them from their original context, all serve to process their meaning. Although these pieces are emotionally charged, I consider them intuitive as well, because I allow my subconscious to dictate the order and placement of the images that compose them, and the final piece is always a surprise to me. Moreover, even in these image-based pieces there is a first and last layer of repetitive drawing. I frequently create large-scale installations; the theme of which is that “everything is connected to everything else.”
How many years as an artist?
As a child I was always creating things and drawing, so I can honestly say that I have always been an artist. While life took me in a different direction, I studied art independently for years, by taking workshops in photography, painting and drawing. Then, thirteen years ago, I returned to school and earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts. Ever since, I have been a fulltime artist.
Sketchbook? Do you use one? What type?
I rarely use a sketchbook, although there is always one lying around at home and in my studio. I mainly use them to write down ideas before I forget them. Also, when I come across an image that seems interesting to me I cut it out and keep it in my sketchbook. These books are spiral-bound.
Most important tool you use?
Oil markers and/or ink pens because every one of my pieces begins with a layer of repetitive drawing.
Where is your studio?
My studio is in an industrial warehouse district known as the Bird Road Art District. It is a 1200 square foot warehouse space with 20-foot ceilings, concrete floors and a bay door big enough to fit a truck. I just moved there about six months ago… It’s the studio I always dreamed of, and it sort of found me.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Just do it… It will reveal itself.
Process> Concept or Process<Concept
Definitely, Process > Concept.
Why do you make art?
I make art because I HAVE to make it… It is a tremendously strong impulse that is ever-present. When I make art all is good in my life.
Art school or self-taught?
Art school
Favorite font? Helvetica
Tattoos? Don’t have any.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
I usually work in silence because my work is meditative.
iTunes, spotify, records? iTunes
Everyone has a vice. Care to call yourself out? I can’t say I really have a vice, but I do love red wine.
What’s around the corner from your place?
A Cuban restaurant, a bunch of warehouses, other artists’ studios, auto body shops.
Favorite sound?
Ocean waves hitting the shore.
Favorite smell?
Coffee in the morning.
Where can we find you outside the studio?
At home with my husband, my African Grey parrot and my two dogs. I frequently attend art exhibitions, and I love the movies and dining out.
If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do? I would probably be a writer or a psychologist.
Food or sleep? Sleep
Greatest achievement? Going back to school and earning my degree in art.
Finish the sentence: “I would never be caught dead …” without my iPhone…
Would you rather be able to make a living as an artist now or become famous after you die? I would rather be able to make a living as an artist now!
Would you rather see your art on a t-shirt or on a billboard? Billboard.
Astrology or astronomy? Astronomy.
Would you ever figure model naked? No… I don’t think so.
Religion or pop culture? Neither.
What do you collect? I collect tools, spray paints, nuts and bolts, lenses…
Favorite contemporary artist? I love Tom Brydelsky because his work has an otherworldly feel to it… It transcends our every day reality.
Favorite paper type? Arches watercolor paper.
Use anything other than paint? Oil markers and ink.
Oil or acrylic? Both
Figurative or abstract? Both
Photo references? I use my own and old family photographs
Is painting dead? I don’t think painting will ever die.
Favorite brush? Palette knifes?
What do you wear while you paint? Jeans and a T-shirt
Painting Inside or Outside? Inside
Monet or Manet? Manet
Incredible work I love it.
MZPilé
WOW!!!!
These works resonate with me! especially in light of their coming from the wealth of experiences and memories of the artist.
I think your work is fabulous!
Beautiful work! Reading the interview was a real treat! A fellow Miami artist – congratulations and best wishes for continued success.
i came into painting late in life ,after a major spine operation..i paint naturaly sometimes with the aid of photo-graphs,and mainly portraiture,..i use acrylics mainly sometimes i may mix water-colour in with the work depending what i am after..im particularly impressed with your use of patterns in your work,this is a field i am attempting to build thankyou for allowing me to view your work .
regards ken.
Sassi Berrichi Art of life and oxygen and the colors of feathers are sailing and the ship are … I wish every road trip significant artist. Art is a bridge between honesty and sense of
I am an artist and sculptor Look for an area without reason that I want to see the light of my
The reflective aura of self personafies beauty shared…MORE;()
I do like your work. it’s too nice.
from
INDIA
Thumbs up indeed…perhaps because its a rainy day here in Oslo…have seen her work before…but today it really did its magic…and I feel better already.
Love her work. Wonderful artist…
Guten Abend …
Mit Wertschätzung und Respekt, den Sie schreiben und danken Ihnen für Ihre Nachricht, und wie ich Ihnen sagte, dass ich bin ein Autodidakt Maler und Bildhauer und Autodidakt Leider haben in den Entwicklungsländern nicht die Chance auf Erfolg und heraus, wie sie leiden unter einem Mangel an Möglichkeiten für Erfolg und der Mangel an Möglichkeiten … und es gibt keinen Kunstmarkt und Institutionen zu fördern Kreationen ist wie der Mann, der seinen Namen auf den Felsen gehauen ist so, dass in der Stille übertönen nicht mit jedem neuen Morgen gibt hoffen, und ich bin nach einer Gelegenheit suchen und sich mit den Versammlungen der Kunst von 7 Jahren entsprechen … und mit Künstlern entsprechen und ich hoffe, Ihnen helfen zu ehren Tqubla Crown Grüße an die Kommunikation mit Ihnen und hoffe, dass pyrimidotriazine Tag mit Kunst in Ihrem Land zu leben ….
Excellent!
Your work is very calming to view, also. Seems made up of lots of little Mantras. Love the colours. Youre work is very inspiring. I love ink. Will have to buy myself some oil markers and experiment.
hi, from india…artist.i see u u r artical. its very nice. keep up.