Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Kseniya Galper
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Kseniya!
KG: I work as a UX designer for an R&D group, I usually describe what I do as an intersection of design and psychology. I’m lucky to have a creative job where I get to constantly learn new things and experiment with emerging tech trends.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
KG: It’s always evolving, I’m sure if you ask me the same question ten years from now, I’ll give you a different answer. Early in my journey as an artist I’ve been disproportionally romanticizing the role of “genius” and “pure inspiration” and underestimated the importance of structure, understanding your creative process, and just sheer practice.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
KG: It’s probably the wrong thing to mention, but a big part of my process is procrastination. Actually, it’s more than that, and over time I learned to respect it, but it definitely looks like procrastination. I noticed that I always go through these two distinct phases as I’m starting to work on a new painting, I call them “passive procrastination” and "active procrastination”.
Well, let me explain!
Passive procrastination is when I feel pretty paralyzed and it looks like I’m just wasting time. I go for a walk, I stare at the paintings in my studio, I spend hours looking at other artists’ work.
In reality, what’s happening is I’m starting to create a mental space for the new idea. There is a lot of thinking that’s happening during that phase, it’s sort of running in the background and starting to form patterns, impressions or emotions that I’m interested in expressing in my work.
Then I switch to active procrastination. During that phase a lot of activity starts, but none of it is seemingly related to that new painting, it really just looks like I’m avoiding it all together. I prep canvases, I clean the studio, I finish other projects that have been abandoned for months… But… what I realized is happening during this time is building energy and momentum that I will ultimately end up channeling into the new work.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
KG: I wish art, and specifically this ability to make art, would stay in my life for as long as I’m around. I want to continue learning and growing and changing as an artist. But… if I had to pick a very specific goal, I’d love to get my work featured in an exhibit in MEAM, it’s a small contemporary art museum in Barcelona, Spain. It might be more of a dream than a goal.
Find and support Kseniya here:
IG: @kseniyagalper
(Patterns of Tension, 24" x 24", oil on board, ©Kseniya Galper)
If my work was a meal it would be: May be it’s like a charcuterie board? I often think of my paintings as a kaleidoscope, and I feel like charcuterie is the kaleidoscope of the food world.
I would love to be able to share my work with: There are so many artists I admire. I would love to study with them or even just observe their process, understand where their creative energy comes from. I’m not sure I would necessarily want to show them my work though.
What would be pretty fun, is to see my artwork used a film. Especially if the director is very particular about creating their sets, someone like Wes Anderson.
If I wasn’t able to paint, I would like to try: Fashion! There is so much to play with in fashion: more obvious elements like color, texture, pattern, structure, movement, but also more subtle aspects, like its historical and socio-economic influences, the psychology of fashion. So exciting.
My hope for those viewing my work: In my work as a designer, I always need to think about the goal and purpose or what I’m creating. Why is this product needed? What problem is it solving? Who is going to be using it? Etc, etc. When I paint, I approach it completely differently. I just want to paint, I feel the need to paint… and so I do. My work is not educational or intentionally inspirational, I just hope that anyone looking at it would feel the energy I put into it.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Gina Ariko
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Gina!
GA: I'm a full-time working artist. :) In my spare time I love reading and cooking. I view art as another form of storytelling, and am fascinated by all the ways we're able express ourselves and share our stories, whether through visual art, written words, music, meals, etc.
Something people may not know about me is that I play piano. It's the only creative outlet I don't share publicly.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
GA: When I first started creating I was much more concerned with the "what" than the "how." I was concerned about what the subject of my painting was, or what it should be, and whether it would be well received by the viewer.
I no longer worry as much about the "what." Instead, I focus on the process of creating my work, and the feeling it evokes. Ultimately, I can't control how others interpret my work, and the more work I've created the more I've learned how much can still be communicated, regardless of what subject or style I paint in.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
GA: I prefer creating early in morning or late at night. I get antsy in the afternoon and have a hard time sitting still and focusing. I almost always have an audiobook or music playing when I'm in the studio.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
GA: Have an exhibit in Japan, because that's where I first learned to paint, thanks to my jichan and baachan.
Find and support Gina here:
IG: @ginaariko
(Origami, 18" x 24", oil on canvas, ©Gina Ariko)
If my work was a meal it would be: Whatever meal reminds you of home. Not the big fancy holiday meal, but the meal a parent or grandparent made for you that reminds you of your childhood.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Matisse, because I tend to struggle with the push-pull of relaxing my style and painting more expressive, and refining my technique and painting more detailed, and I really admire his bold-yet-figurative style.
If I wasn’t able to paint, I would like to try: I love ceramic art, even though I have almost no experience with it! I think it'd be really satisfying to create work that is both decorative and utilitarian, too. I'm also drawn to fiber art. The textural element of the work appeals to me, and I also think the gendered/cultural history of quilting, tapestry, and costuming is interesting and I'd love to learn more about it.
My hope for those viewing my work: I hope my work gives people a moment to pause, exhale, and appreciate the beauty in the everyday moments that are so easily overlooked.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Gabriella Giaconia
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Gabriella!
GG: I teach elementary art in NYC. When I'm not teaching I like to make my own art, visit galleries and exhibits around NYC, spend time with family and friends, explore new restaurants/spots around Brooklyn, and in the summer, spend lots of time at the beach. I am inspired by nature- namely the sky and the sea, the people around me, NYC, and the female figure. My favorite part of my day is my morning routine, especially Morning Pages- the concept from "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron that changed my life!
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
GG: I think for way too long I cared so much about how my work was going to be perceived and I spent so much time comparing my work to others, that it inhibited me. I was scared to show my work and even create. That feeling is always a work in progress, but now I view myself in the relationship to my work as a co-creator. Sometimes I go into making something with a solid idea and plan and sometimes I just start playing with colors and materials and see where it goes. It's sort of taken a pressure off. Also, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert really helped me in having more confidence in my work.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
GG: Recently I have really come to realize how important creative routines and rituals are. I have a small apartment space, so sometimes I work at my desk and sometimes painting on the floor with all my materials surrounding me feels good. Lighting candles, putting on music or a podcast, setting out materials all have really helped me get in the mindset to create. I like creating in the morning or evening because it feels most serene.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
GG: A solo gallery show
Find and support Gabriella here:
IG: @gabbygiaconia
(Exist, 11" x 14", mixed media, ©Gabriella Giaconia)
If my work was a meal it would be: A buffet- because I like to try a little of everything!
I would love to be able to share my work with: I think Julia Cameron because her book had such a profound impact on my creative journey. I am so grateful she wrote "The Artist's Way" and I think every person should read it!
If I were to work in another medium or subject matter, I would choose: Portraiture was always a genre that intrigued me but I never really explored. I was always in awe of my classmates who did portraiture so beautifully. Even now that I have gotten back into figure drawing recently, I still find myself shying away from drawing or painting the face of the model. I think the pressure to capture the likeness of a person is intimidating!
My hope for those viewing my work: I hope that my work can be a reminder for people that there is beauty everywhere- within us and all around us, and that sometimes we might have to dig a little deeper, but it's always there. And I hope that it intrigues people to explore their own creativity, even (especially) if they don't deem themselves an "artist"!
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Geraldina Khatchikian
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Geraldina!
GK: There are different things I like to do in my spare time when I’m not creating. I love to give a structure to my days following a self-care routine. I truly became passionate about face-yoga and I’m studying to get my certification as a teacher. I love meditating, going out for a morning walk in the park listening to music or just connecting to nature. I love to listen to inspiring podcasts and read self-help books. I’m also very interested since I was young in psychology and in understanding human reactions, fears, emotions, feelings, trauma.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
GK: My works as always have been my best tool to express myself and get clarity on my emotions and feelings. I would say that what changed is that I gained more confidence and trust in myself which allows me to show up more than I used to do and also I have more courage to experiment more and find the correct tools and media that align with my artistic expression.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
GK: I love to create during the day, and particularly in spring time where the sun sets late so if I don’t have enough time during my morning I can easily paint in the afternoon or until sunset. Light is so important to me and I enjoy solitude while creating. I love to listen to music normally without lyrics. There are different producers that truly inspire me while I paint which are: Jon Hopkins, Emancipator and Bonobo. I normally create at least one new canvas a week and if I’m not painting I will sketch for sure everyday because creating something even completely different from my normal style or even just something in my sketchbook is vital for me. I love to always find at least one hour a day to focus on my art practice.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
GK: I have different career goals I would love to achieve! One that pops up on my mind right now is a music collaboration for an album cover with some producers I admire.
Find and support Geraldina here:
(Sad Memory, 50 x 70cm, acrylic, ©Geraldina Khatchikian)
If my work was a meal it would be: I would describe my paintings to have different tastes made from different kind of spices. Some mixed together and some not. Some of them bitter and tasty, other spicy and delicate. For example I see a bit of cumin, curry and curcuma, together with chili flakes and black pepper, paprika and ginger, zaatar and sesame, coriander and cardamom, brown sugar and pink himalayan salt. I can’t identify the exact meal but while you are eating it you should have a flavorful experience.
I would love to be able to share my work with: There are different creators from the past eras to whom I would have loved to get the opportunity to show my work to. Claude Monet is one of them, I still remember the first time I visited his house in Giverny, France which was a dream come true. Another artist is Vincent Van Gogh, his story always moved me a lot. I would have loved also to show my paintings to Joan Mitchell and have a chat with her about abstract expressionism. I thought about them because they are some of the major artists that truly inspired my artistic path.
If I were to work in another medium, I would choose: I would choose music because it allows freedom of expression. I’ve always been attracted by the Celtic harp. Who knows. Maybe one day I will learn to play it! :)
My hope for those viewing my work: I hope that people can take away from my work some sort of inspiration. It can be an inspiration for them to understand more about their inner world or perhaps just be inspired by my work to encourage them to start their creative journey.
When I was stuck with my creativity I remember that going to exhibitions, getting in touch with artists and questioning their work was a way for me to surround my self with art and it really helped me to understand later that I was going to search for something that I already have inside but I was scared to discover.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Cameron White
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Cameron!
CW: Living in the north of the UK close to the border with Scotland, I try to get out walking most days and often walk with my family and dogs too. I'm fortunate enough to work part time and so have a few hours a week to dedicate to my artwork and painting the scenes that I see in my local area. The forever changing colours of the landscape depending on the season and weather always inspires me. Despite living close to the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria, I rarely visit the mountains and tend to see the beauty in often overlooked rural fields, hillsides and coastline of northern Cumbria.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
CW: Having recently returned to painting after a long break whilst my children were young, I'm gaining a renewed confidence in my ability as an artist specialising in landscapes. Years ago, I was taught how to paint using watercolours by my father and for a long time, preferred this medium or used dry mediums such as coloured pencil or oil pastel. However, I began to use acrylic paints a few years ago and whilst I have also dabbled in oil paints, my preference is for acrylic paints due to the depth of colour and fast drying qualities they possess. I've recently started to paint more figuratively, using my photographs as a basis for my work and am greatly enjoying the process.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
CW: I'm very lucky to have a dedicated room in the house that I use for painting and there is plenty of natural light which I very much enjoy. Although I could work in the evenings, I much prefer to work when the natural light is good during the day and take the opportunity to get into the studio whenever I can! There are often other things going on during the course of the day and so I have to grab the time if possible. Once I get down to painting, I often lose track of the time and can happily work for a few hours at a time. My small digital radio is often on in the background and I enjoy listening to classical music. I do take regular breaks as I find this keeps my approach fresh and means I can evaluate my progress better this way.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
CW: It is still early days in terms of my painting career however I very much hope to show my work in galleries or other venues in the north of the UK this year or next. I'd also love to have a painting accepted by the Royal Academy and to be shown in the Summer Exhibition that is held every year at their beautiful gallery in London. That would indeed be an achievement!
Find and support Cameron here:
(Above The Land, 20 x 20 cm, acrylic on canvas, ©Cameron White)
If my work was a meal it would be: My work could be described like an omelette; the delicious golden eggs being the landscape base and the tasty toppings such as onions, cheese or ham the different colours, textures and composition of the work. Depending on what tasty options you like to put into your omelette depends on the mood, atmosphere or feeling of the work! A landscape can be fairly plain or richly and intensely flavoured with colour.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Being a huge fan of the late Eric Ravilious (1903 - 1942), I'd have greatly enjoyed showing this British painter my work and having a chat with him about his processes. He was a specialist of landscape painting in the 1930's and early 1940's and also worked as a war artist, observing and recording visually what he saw during the start of the second world war. However, his paintings of sweeping hillsides and coastlines are also superb and very inspiring too. I'm sure he would have given great advice!
If I were to work in another medium, I would choose: Having a great admiration of artists who work in three dimensions, I'd very much like to try creating work in three dimensions; perhaps pottery. Whilst at school, I made a few pieces using clay and very much enjoyed the process and the nice surprise when the clay had been glazed and fired.
My hope for those viewing my work: My hope is that people of all ages can enjoy the 'unsung' beauty of the British landscape when they see my paintings. My work is often about places that are fairly normal and typical scenes that you might see anywhere in the UK and so, I hope, this is something that people can identify with or feel a sense of familiarity with. Most of my paintings depict places that are very close to where I live due to having less opportunity to travel over the past couple of years. I hope that people may be encouraged to take a renewed enjoyment from their local areas and appreciate that we can see beauty in the places that we see on a regular basis; the fields that line the roadside or the little patch of trees on a hillside for example.
Issue 3 Writer Spotlight | Aniyah Veal
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Aniyah!
AV: I am a full-time student who is finishing my last semester of graduate school. Seeing other people be genuinely happy while accomplishing their goals and pursuing their passions is inspiring to me. I love feeling joy for other people, and it makes me feel like I can choose happiness and pursue my passions as well. People may not know that I want to travel more, especially out of the country as I have never been. Italy and Spain have always been at the top of my list.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
AV: I have redefined my goals for creative writing and the purpose it serves me. Although I am still receptive to the right opportunity, I have decided that I will not rely on my creative writing to be my primary source of income. Shifting my career goals and taking that pressure off my creativity allowed it to become refreshing and fun again. Now, I can experiment so much more with the freedom of mere practice instead of seeking perfection. It is a healthier relationship because I am writing for me instead of money or trying to prove that creative writing is worth it.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
AV: I usually write privately unless I am struck by an idea or exact wording that I need to write down immediately. I prefer to write in my room during the nighttime because that is when I have the most quiet, uninterrupted time. If I have casual, extra time for writing, I like to play music because I am not worried about getting distracted. If it is my designated writing time, I will not play music because I want to be focused. I try to write at least once a week for an hour or two. I tend to write more on the weekends so that I can give my undivided attention.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
AV: I hope to write and finish a novel in my creative career. I would feel skilled if I could proudly produce a novel because I write in such smaller forms now. It would be fulfilling one of my long-time dreams; it would be special for me and younger me.
Find and support Aniyah here:
IG: @aniyahwrites
Aniyah provides some insight into her process and motivation for creating.
Read more in Issue 3.
If my work was a meal it would be: Reading my work is like eating a full plate of lasagna. It is good and satisfying, but it is also heavy and intense to face the plate at times. After eating, you leave the table feeling noticeably full because the lasagna lingers.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Nicola Yoon. I respect and look up to her as a great writer—as a successful writer who is a woman of color. The Sun is Also a Star is my favorite book because I had such a wowing reading experience. If I could show her my work and hear her honest opinions, I would be over the moon.
If I didn’t write, I would: I would choose to be a part of creating television shows or songwriting if I could not write stories or poetry. I feel very passionate about television shows and music already and I would still be able to tell stories. The higher probability of taking part in collaborative work also draws me to shows and music. I have not experienced collaborative creative writing often and I am intrigued by a different writing energy and environment.
My hope for those reading my work: In my poetry and short stories, I concentrate on actions, inactions, and internal feelings, because it is all so complex and endless. I hope people take away from my work that emotions are hard to interpret even if you are the one feeling them. It is difficult to understand the depth of emotions, difficult to communicate those feelings, and difficult to respond correctly. Everyone deserves grace when it comes to matters of the heart and mind.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Nida Ansari
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Nida!
NA: My name is Nida Ansari, a home maker, mom to a toddler and an Artist living in Seattle since the last few years. I was born and raised in India. After getting my bachelors in accounting I decided art was my true calling and got a degree in Fine Arts. I have been creating ever since I can remember. Inspiration for my work comes from this unique attraction to lights and shadows I had since childhood. Since I moved to Seattle a few years ago, I find myself painting landscapes and nature-inspired by the beauty of PNW more than ever. The extreme contrast in light here creates bigger contrasts to the seasons. I love the constantly changing seasons and how each season has its own beauty. The vibrant bold colors of fall, the delicate beauty of spring, the mist in the mornings of winter, the filtered light from cloudy skies when it rains, the snow capped mountains. We have it all and it never ceases to amaze and be an endless source of inspiration to me!
I used to own a hand painted shoe business few years ago, that is something many people don't know about me.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
NA: Obviously I feel I am constantly evolving as an artist. For years, art school seemed to have engrained rules into my head about what I should and should not be doing. Initially I pursued realism and found myself being slave to photographs and constantly being scared of ruining my painting. Now I find myself more open to experimenting, confident in my approach. I am loving this newly found freedom!
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
NA: As a mom to a 2 year old, it is difficult to work on my own terms and preferred time. So, my day mostly revolves around my son's schedule. I create when he naps in the afternoon and evenings, having prepared meals and snacks before hand. I also love the natural daylight in the afternoon. Some days I get several hours uninterrupted and some days I might do a little here and there and even a small piece may take days to complete.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
NA: To be able to display my work internationally.
Find and support Nida here:
IG: @fineartby_nida
(Pebbles, 6" x 4.5", watercolor, ©Nida Ansari)
If my work was a meal it would be: I have been told often that my work is soothing to the soul. So, I would describe my work as comfort food.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Thomas W. Schaller, he is one of my favorite plein-air and architectural watercolor painters. I have followed his work for the longest time and he is one of the reasons I chose watercolor as a medium to create.
If I were to work in another medium, I would choose: Oil paint, because of the wide expanse of colors, the ease of use, the layering ability and the forgiving nature of the medium.
My hope for those viewing my work: That they experience the joy I feel while creating my work.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Meghann Early
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Meghann!
ME: I am a born and raised New Yorker. I have lived in New York City all my life and am always happy to share the experience of growing up in this city with other people, because I know it is unique and I am still so in love with living here. I am a full time tarot reader. I do free readings on Youtube and am so blessed to have many return clients. This type of work really lends itself to being a creative, as I have found many ways to integrate tarot into my art.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
ME: As a life long creator, my relationship with how I create and what I create really changed when I had my baby Leo in 2021. My artwork has become more intuitive, as I have used it as a healing tool as I begin to find my way to a new normal. I allow myself to break “rules” and to be free in my color choices and the materials that I use. If I want to use glitter - I use glitter!
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
ME: Because I have a toddler, my creating happens at all times of day. A little here and a little there, as I have set up camp at the dining room table with a little art supply basket. Between work, nap-times and bedtimes, I glue, paint and doodle. I keep a running list of things I want to make or ideas I have in my planner to stay organized.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
ME: I really hope to be able to continue to show and sell my work, but my main goal is to teach classes. I would love to teach people how to use art to heal and release even if they feel they are not an “artist.” I believe anyone can make beautiful art if they are so inclined.
Find and support Meghann here:
IG: @meghandthemoon
Website: http://www.meghandthemoon.com/
(Because I Am Not There, 9" x 12", mixed media collage, ©Meghann Early)
If my work was a meal it would be: A taco bar! Lots of colors, lots of options, lots of flavor, but always a tasty bite!
I would love to be able to share my work with: There are so many inspiring creators out there that might not be “famous” yet and it has been so humbling to connect with so many artists that I admire on social media. I have even been able to take class from some of them, and have some of them comment and share my work to their own accounts. While there are many famous creators that I love the group that I am a part of online have been the people I most want to share my work with.
If I were to work in another medium, I would choose: While collage is my first love it has definitely been a gateway into trying other types of art. This year has been all about practicing my illustration and fine art skills. I also always have my polymer clay at the ready when I feel the need to work with something more tactile.
My hope for those viewing my work: I hope that my work inspires others to create their own work even if they feel like they might not be a particularly creative person. I also hope that my work invokes emotion and inspiration.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Bettina Steiger
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Bettina!
BS: During the day you will find me working as an auditor in a major bank, preparing reports. I like to unwind from this high pressure job by spending my spare time out in nature.
During the week, I mostly enjoy spending the evening on my penthouse terrace caring for my plants and doing yoga. On weekends, I often go hiking in the mountains, visit old villages or go snorkeling in the ocean which serves as a destressor and helps replenish my creative imagination which in turn inspires my artwork greatly.
One thing that may come as a surprise to others is that I always have one or two paintings of mine in my car. When driving around the country and even the city, I often look for interesting backdrops such as a colourful door, barbeque stand, an interesting wall, etc. to photograph my artwork against.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
BS: For me personally it has been challenging in the beginning to allow myself to relax and ‘drift away’ in my painting process. I was worried about making mistakes or ruining the creation I had in mind. It took me a while to allow myself to explore and sometimes move away from the initial idea and follow an impulse and to now generally remain patient with the unknown until a connection between me and my creation arises. The results are often a pleasant surprise. Of course sometimes they are not, and I am continuously learning to let go and to accept that some art works need more time to mature, and it is better to set them aside and complete them with a new impulse at a later time.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
BS: I like to create early mornings after a good cup of coffee. I normally spread my paint and tools around me on the living room floor and get started. I prefer not to listen to music as I am fully emerged into the colours and the action on the paper or canvas. Once I start, I like to spend several hours engulfed in this process.
As I like to allow myself some time for my creation process and need to be in the right mood for it, I tend to have creative phases rather than a regular daily routine.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
BS: Besides the wish to be able to continue with my creativity for many more years to come, I would love to have the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition - both here in Oman where I started my creative journey as well as abroad on an international level.
Find and support Bettina here:
(Travertine Curtains I, 42 x 29.7 cm, acrylic on paper, ©Bettina Steiger)
If my work was a meal it would be: Here is my four-course menu:
For starters I have a collection of mini paintings which gives you a glimpse of my style and colour schemes that are close to my heart. These are also inspired by the plants on my rooftop garden which come in the shades of green, pink orange, brown and yellow. This appetizer is tabbouleh with beetroot hummus and babaganoush with pomegranate seeds.
As a salad I have a collection of sea salt paintings that use various shades of green which are seasoned with locally acquired sea salt helping whet your appetite for more. Enjoy this rocket salad with deep-fried sardines and a pinch of sumac.
The main course consists of larger landscape paintings with earthy tones of beige, yellow and orange along with hues of green, blue and teal. Over the course of my short artistic journey, I have constantly strived to convey stories that befit the wonderful variety of a mountainous desert landscape surrounded by the ocean - A hearty lamb biryani with figs and eggplant.
For dessert, I have my collection of square foot sized paintings which are a bit bigger than my salad and starters owing to my sweet tooth. These paintings are a colourful mixture of sweetness and richness that offer a very pleasant sight with tones of pink, gold and orange. The gourmet will undoubtedly feel satiated and content with this Omani date halwa with rosewater and saffron.
I would love to be able to share my work with:
Georgia O’Keeffe – The 19th century Wisconsin (USA) born artist believed it was impossible to be taught how to paint a landscape. She thought it was something that she as an artist had to discover herself, something she had to feel deep within her bones. When she moved to New Mexico she learned quickly and never stopped being inspired by the unfamiliar surroundings. I myself moved to a foreign country and am fascinated by the contrastive landscapes that surround me. Georgia O’Keefe focused on painting flowers and other landscapes which is another link that would make it interesting for me to talk to her about.
Leonardo da Vinci – Among the qualities that make this 16th century Italian born artist’s work unique are the innovative techniques that he used in laying on the paint, his detailed knowledge of anatomy and his innovative use of the human form in figurative composition. The realism of his painting is a result of his exact scientific observations. It would be fascinating to hear what he would say to Abstract Art in general.
If I didn’t paint, my creative outlet would be: If I were unable to paint I would probably focus more on my creativity as a gardener.
I would love to creatively explore the options of combining blooming and fragrant plants along with fruit and vegetable plants that not only help me to transform my garden into a beautiful and relaxing desert oasis but also allow me to harvest typical fruits of this region and lead a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
My hope for those viewing my work: Creating artwork has helped me channel my emotions and challenges living in an alien country in a positive way. I started actively creating art during lockdown, a time which bound us all to our homes.
Considering that I don’t have a formal training in fine arts, I believe anyone can find their inner artist and start creating which can bring a lot of joy to one’s life.
In today’s material driven world, creating something, no matter how good or bad, can provide much needed confidence and increase feelings of self-worth.
I therefore would like to urge people to unapologetically and unabashedly pursue their creative nature without worrying about how it will be perceived. I strongly believe in creating art for your own happiness - appreciation from others will surely follow.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | RJ Papaleo
C+B: Tell us about yourself, RJ!
RP: I am a multi-disciplined artist working in the fine art, graphic design, and music production fields. I really enjoy the process of learning a new medium so I am often researching technique & instructional content both online and in print. I am very inspired by nostalgia, the ideas & memories we carry with us and resort to in both good times and bad.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
RP: To be honest I think my relationship with my work has been consistent since the beginning. When I first started creating in high school I was fully absorbed in every assignment & challenge from my classes. I was always ready & eager to learn a new technique or approach and that fire to grow my skillset has never gone out.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
RP: I paint on a large vintage drafting table in my apartment. Usually I'm listening to a vinyl record or two and they're almost always jazz or classic rock records. I aim to have a piece done in 2-3 hours, but will step away and pause if I need to.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
RP: To be an encouragement to other artists who may feel they aren't equipped or educated enough to pursue art seriously. A true artist is not tethered to status, money or the industry. I believe a true artist soars when those ties are broken.
Find and support RJ here:
IG: @rj_papaleo
(Flight, 11" x 14," acrylic on paper, ©RJ Papaleo)
If my work was a meal it would be: A very geometric fruit tart.
I would love to be able to share my work with: I definitely would have wanted Piet Mondrian to see this current series. He was one of the first abstract artist I was drawn to and I would have loved to hear his feedback.
If I didn’t paint, my creative outlet would be: Sculpture is an area I have studied at an academic level but have yet to pursue in my personal art career. I would like to pursue that at some point if I have the space and materials to do so.
My hope for those viewing my work: I always enjoy hearing the individual and different responses people have when viewing my work. It's fulfilling as an artist to witness that experience a viewer has when they see and experience something completely unique to them.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Bri Custer
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Bri!
BC: My heart still flutters a bit when I get to tell people I'm a full time artist. I got my undergraduate degree in art, then did administrative work at The University of New Hampshire for about five years before getting my masters in Art Ed. When the pandemic hit in the middle of my first year of teaching in my own classroom (I actually went between two schools teaching K-8), I burned out fast and knew I had to make a change. With a pile of student loan debt hanging over my head, I decided that I would make the full time jump to painting. I had been painting and selling my work consistently for a few years. Even when I was putting in the work to become a teacher, I was preparing for this even bigger dream that I knew was somewhere down the road. Covid just happened to accelerate it a little bit.
To fill the need for community that leaving a job opened up, I also started teaching and organizing critique groups under the title The Non-Toxic Crit Group. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing artists and still get to exercise my teaching and leadership abilities between studio days. I'm hosting my seventh group this Spring!
I'm a passionate mediocre gardener and I love daily walks with my partner Bryan and our hound-lab mix Vinny. I like a good balance of being outside in any form (hiking, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking) and being curled up under a blanket in front of my favorite series of the moment (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Orange is the New Black, and any dramatized documentary series). Don't make me pick between coffee and tea, I can't live without either.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
BC: I honestly think the more I paint and learn about the creative process, the less I feel like I know. I'm more flexible and comfortable with nuance, chaos, and uncertainty than I was when I started. I've become better at embracing my own tendencies with paint and letting go of what I think painting "should" be.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
BC: As a plein air painter, my practice shifts a lot with the season. If the weather was perfect, my ideal schedule would be a slow start to the morning with a mid afternoon painting session. I find that's when I have the most energy. In terms of how long, I don't have the stamina for an eight hour, or even six hour painting day. A three hour session for me is perfect, and I usually finish a painting in one to two sessions, working wet into wet. Painting in shorter stints requires decisiveness and immediacy. There isn't so much time to think, it's more about responding to what's being observed and whatever happens happens. I am always listening to something, even when painting outside. Sometimes it's music, or podcasts, or the news, but it helps me get out of my head and not overthink what I'm doing.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
BC: Oh there are so many goals & dreams, so it's hard to narrow it down to one big one. I'm going to tell you my pie in the sky dream that feels super vulnerable to put out there because it feels like such a reach from where I am right now. When I studied abroad in 2013, our group attended the Venice Bienalle. If you haven't been, the best way I can describe it is the art olympics. During the Bienalle, each country has a pavilion that is transformed into an installation or gallery showcasing a contemporary artist that was chosen to represent their country. The energy was electric. Some day, I want to be involved. I don't care if I'm an artist, on a selection committee, or part of the installation team, I just want to be a part of that energy.
Find and support Bri here:
IG: @briiiiicuster
Web: http://bricuster.com
(Chosen, 12" x 12," oil on canvas, ©Bri Custer)
If my work was a meal it would be: Wow I really had to think on this one. I would describe my work as indulgent and impulsive, so it's got to be a dessert. My color is strong and sometimes feels sticky sweet when I get into the pinks and greens of summer, so we're talking cake or donuts here.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Oh, the imposter syndrome in me just crept up as I read this one. My first instinct is to be self-conscious of other artists' perceptions of my work, and it's something I'm working on. A lot. I honestly think I would want to sit down and have a critique with Lois Dodd. She's a Maine painter who is focused on observing and reacting to the landscape around her without too much fussiness. I have so much respect for her, so just sharing a conversation with her would be the hugest privilege.
If I didn’t paint, my creative outlet would be: Printmaking, one hundred percent. I fell in love with lithography as a student and dream of returning to it someday. I've had my eye out for affordable presses to be able to weave monoprinting into my current practice, but I don't really even have space at the moment. I also have a hard time focusing on so many things at once, so I think if there comes a time when I'm able to dive back into printmaking, painting will have to take a back seat. I tend to get fixated on whatever I'm working on and everything else get's pushed out.
My hope for those viewing my work: We all have a feeling about the environment we live in. Reverence, nostalgia, apathy--maybe even fear. I hope viewers of my work bring their own perceptions and memories to the experience of looking. I hope they see their own landscape, their own memory in a slant of light or the shape of a tree in my work. I guess in simpler words, I hope they can connect to the way I paint my own landscape memories.
Issue 3 Writer Spotlight | Mark Blackburn
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Mark!
MB: I'm an ex-shoe seller and occasional politician - I've stood for the UK Parliament twice! I'd like to prove that not all politicians are self-seeking. Who knows, I may even stand for office again one day. Whatever way it works out, as we writers know - the pen is always mightier than the sword.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
MB: More comes from my heart and less from my head.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
MB: I write in the afternoons in my special place having got all the 'worky stuff' out of the way in the morning.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
MB: I would like to bring my full-length work of creative non-fiction, Final Approach: My Book of Airports, to the reading public - it's about so much more than airports!
Find and support Mark here:
IG: @mdhblackburn
Mark describing the genesis of his collection of Covid-centered non-fiction writing, Coronaviral. Read more in Issue 3.
If my work was a meal it would be: A good hearty three course dinner - appetising little starter, quite a meaty main dish and then something at the end to leave a sweet taste.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Antoine Saint-Exupery. A superb writer who wrote serious stuff about life and planes and an amazing children's book - a legacy I aspire to!
If I didn’t write, I would: I used to be the singer in a punk rock band! I'd love to go back to that place and express my thoughts now in riotous song!
My hope for those reading my work: With this work in particular, I hope they can identify with some of the challenges in facing the pandemic that I write about. Maybe they might be able to find some encouragement from that; it would be wonderful if they did.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Ariana Tavares
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Ariana!
AT: Hi, I’m Ariana Tavares, a Brazilian artist based in Brooklyn, NY. I moved to NYC five years ago, and I rediscovered myself as an artist when I had just graduated from Architecture School in Brazil. After doing some soul searching and self-development courses, I realized art has always been my passion. So I started to take art lessons, and after a couple of years of developing my artistic voice, then began to sell my work.
In my spare time, I love to read books related to art, business, manifestation, and personal development. I also enjoy taking care of my plants, going on a walk with my dogs and husband, cycling when it’s warm, and skiing in the winter.
I often make time to visit botanical gardens and parks, which is where I gather most of the inspiration for my work. In addition to that, I try to visit as many art shows and openings as I can to expand my perspective of what art is.
People might not know I am Pisces, left-handed, and chocolate is my favorite food.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
AT: Since I started taking art classes back in 2015 and then making art, I could say that I am now more disciplined with my creative practice, and more aware of what inspires me. I value my time in the studio and do my best to take care of myself. It became clear to me that my energy level and health have a direct effect on the quality of my work.
And also, I value and respect my work more nowadays, because it can make a positive impact on people's lives and homes.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
AT: My studio is in a spare bedroom in the apartment I live in with my husband and our dogs in Brooklyn, NY. Usually, I come to the studio to make art on weekdays, and once I am there, there is a ritual to get things started. I turn on the desk lamp, the cinema box, and the speaker. Sometimes I also light up a candle. Depending on my mood, I listen to Brazilian music, especially songs by Jorge Ben Jor, or instrumental music if I need to focus on something.
After that, I take the brushes, paints, palette and all the other supplies I would need to work with that day.
I also set up a tripod and my phone to document my creative process, which I use to record videos and take photos. Usually, I do some admin work in the morning, and in the afternoon, I paint for two or more hours, depending on the schedule.
Another part of my creative process is gathering inspiration and experimenting with new ideas, mediums, and surfaces. I make sure to include that in my routine, and as I mentioned, I usually go to parks and botanical parks on weekends.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
AT: I have so many dreams for my creative career. But, if I were to pick one, I would say that it is to inspire the younger generation of artists to create no matter the circumstances and the background one might have. And, that it is safe to follow their dreams, regardless of what others might say.
Artists have the power to change the world and impact so many lives, and that can not be wasted.
Find and support Ariana here:
IG: @arianact
(Daffodil At Dawn, 9" x 12," gouache on paper, ©Ariana Tavares)
If my work was a meal it would be: Imagine having lunch in a new restaurant, and instead of looking at the menu to decide what you are going to eat, you take your plate and walk to a buffet - a food bar with lots of delicious options available. You take a quick look and decide: you are going to put on your plate only food that brings you joy. You focus only on what you like.
You notice the different textures, colors, details, smells, and flavors of what is on your plate. When you are eating it, you feel good. That is the feeling I would like people to feel when in contact with my work.
I would love to be able to share my work with: I would love to share my work with Tarsila do Amaral, a Brazilian artist, if she were alive. Her work inspires me deeply, the colors, the subjects, and her famous quote: “I want to be the painter of my country.”
Besides that, she also lived abroad, so she would understand what it is to be an immigrant artist living in a foreign country and being proud of her origins.
If I didn’t paint, I would: I am the kind of artist who loves experimenting with different mediums. With that said, I would love to explore sculpture. During Architecture school, I had to make models to explain and test an idea. So I believe it would be good to bring that 3D knowledge into my artistic practice.
My hope for those viewing my work: My intention is that people feel a sense of joy and calmness when in contact with my art. I hope it makes them feel uplifted in any way.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Meg Koning
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Meg!
MK: I am a family photographer and also work for a company called Mber Creative doing PR/Marketing that brings home the bacon. When I don't have a camera or laptop in my hand I am usually on Airbnb looking up stays I'll never commit to or exploring outside with my littles and scribbling down poems for my next book.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
MK: The first year I photographed for Bones of Us it was strictly couples. Today I photograph partners and individuals for these sessions. I think the metaphors of rawness, vulnerability, and imperfect but pure love can be seen throughout the work, no matter who the subject might be. And in each frame I see a little of myself; the work has become a contemporary look at self-portraiture for me.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
MK: I usually dive into my clients' stories and formulate a session based on some symbolism/metaphors that reflect those personal narratives. The sessions can range from one to two hours and there's a lot of hiking, walking, talking, and getting to have this wonderful, full experience. Once we complete the session I usually find some late-night times to edit for a couple of hours, and then much later I narrow down a few images to use in my book.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
MK: I hope to plant small seeds in the hearts and minds of my clients and viewers of the work, so that long after I have put down the camera and pen, these seeds might still be finding fertile soil in the next generation's creative experiences.
Find and support Meg here:
IG: @bonesofus
(Grecia, 25" x 40," silk satin fabric print, ©Meg Koning)
If my work was a meal it would be: Something new, unique, and probably a little heavy! Something you wouldn't indulge in often but something you craved without even knowing you craved it.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Georgia O'Keeffe, and honestly I probably would chicken out and just want to sit with her and let her tell me what she sees when she looked out the window from Ghost Ranch onto the dusty lands of New Mexico. Her personal story and professional work give me so much inspiration as to a woman who created not from a place of ego but a place of need.
If I didn’t work with photography, I would: I would love to write and would probably turn to writing as my outlet. However, I would love to learn how to paint too, and try my hand at that. Photography is so realistic at times that I would much prefer painting what I see in my heart instead, but I have yet to find the skills for that!
My hope for those viewing my work: I wanted to be validated in my own personal relationship, and I had hoped that I might help portray relationships with self and others in this series of work. I felt that there was little that was being put out there in the way of real intimacy and hard-working couples; if you saw a couple in a photo it was most likely the two of them running on the beach or sitting on kitchen counters in their underwear. The relationship seen in these photos did little to reflect me and my own struggles, and frankly none of it I identified with. This is why I hope that Bones of Us is a way to be represented for individuals and partners; that we all see a bit of ourselves and the ones we love in these photographs.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Sofya Mirvis
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Sofya!
SM: I tend to think of myself as working in two careers. Although I would love to make art full time, I also love my career of being a nonprofit director. I get to give back to the people who are in need, designing and providing vital programming and services to them. I use a lot of creativity in my job and am slowly working towards my two passions becoming one in the future.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
SM: I stumbled a lot to really “find my style,” even through grad school. Realizing that this wasn’t getting me anywhere, my motto in recent years has been “Make what you want to see in the world.” By following this, my work has become much more intuitive, and I stopped placing such emphasis on style. I now truly enjoy the process because I attune myself with my intuition beforehand. Because of this, there is less perfectionism, worry, and roadblocks - I’m free to just create!
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
SM: I love this question! I have a coffee cup that says “studio time is my happy place.” I grab my cup, get some matcha, and go in the studio anytime I can make it there! It may be morning, evening, weekend, holiday, you name it. I definitely dance around to music while painting as well - good thing no one can see that!
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
SM: If I could make a lasting contribution to the history of women artists, to continue telling our collective story inclusive of all people, and to shine a light on our environment in the process, I will have accomplished my goal. The other accolades are nice, but the achievement of art touching lives is priceless.
Find and support Sofya here:
IG: @sofyaspace
(In the Grass, 8" x 10," collage and acrylic on panel, ©Sofya Mirvis)
If my work was a meal it would be: I am completely inspired by the show “Chef’s Table,” where meals are art. I strive for my art to be like these meals: raw, refined, calm, daring. Lots of tastes, feelings and emotions in one piece.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Marilyn Minter - I’ve always been such a fan of her work! Also Wangechi Mutu - love, love her work as well.
If I were ever to work in another media, I would choose: I am always curious about other media. I always wanted to try out encaustic, as well as media that are further away from my practice such as ceramics or glass.
My hope for those viewing my work: I truly hope that people see the joy, passion and movement that I feel when making the work. Knowing that this work will live in homes and public spaces, I hope it will inspire creativity when someone walks by a piece. If they choose to stand and stare, there is a lot for them to see and meditate on. I hope they stir up some emotion but leave the viewer with a calm feeling at the end.
Issue 3 Artist Spotlight | Chloe McEldowney
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Chloe!
CM: I've previously worked in galleries, museums, artist residencies, and as a K-8 art teacher. But I now paint full-time from my home studio - and I love it! In my spare time I enjoy running, baking, collecting plants, and going on hiking adventures. Being outdoors and observing color in nature inspires my work.
I grew up on a farm with a large, crazy family (I'm the second oldest of twelve kids). I now live in Wilmington, DE with my husband, dog, two cats, and newborn son Oslo.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
CM: Earlier in my career I felt more beholden to an externally imposed idea of what good art was supposed to be. As I've progressed I've felt less tied to such an ideal, and have felt liberated to make art that brought me joy--art that was whimsical, colorful, feminine--secure in the knowledge that other people would take joy in those things as well.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
CM: There's not really a single standard, especially since the birth of our first son a few months ago. Since then I've been learning to kind of switch myself on and off, and work effectively in shorter blocks of time. I still do most of my work during the day, starting around 8 or 9 am, working in the blocks of time motherhood allows. Sometimes there's music, or podcasts, sometimes just the cooing and kicking of the boy to listen to.
C+B: What is the one accomplishment you most hope to achieve in your creative career?
CM: Making my husband a stay-at-home dad.
Find and support Chloe here:
IG: @chloemceldowney
(Like Gold Dust, 18" x 24," oil on panel, ©Chloe McEldowney)
If my work was a meal it would be: It's a bit of an odd metaphor, but I suppose we're not talking about a greasy spoon, and we're not talking about a fancy multi-michelin star affair either. It's food that appreciates nuance and presentation, but also knows that the fat and salt is what makes the food taste good.
I would love to be able to share my work with: Elton John. Elton is a longtime artistic hero of mine, and brings eccentric color and camp to his work while still retaining his emotional expression and authenticity, which is something I aspire to in my own work. I also find him generally delightful and would love to spend time with him.
If I weren’t a visual artist, I would: Channel my creativity into gardening. I love collecting and studying plants. It's something I wish I had more time for and thoroughly enjoy.
My hope for those viewing my work: I hope that people find connection - whatever that means to them.