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AN ARTIST'S STORY
The Spark
In my world, the vibrant hues and vivid images dance through my mind like fleeting memories captured on film. Art serves as my mother tongue, allowing me to articulate my emotions, showcase my unique essence, and unite in joyous laughter with others.
Enrolling in a mixed-media class was not just about attending a weekly session. It was about finding my tribe – a sisterhood of kindred spirits, all nurturing the creative flame within. The bonds forged with these women are as essential to me as the creations born from my soul. For I fully embrace the philosophy that our journey as artists is an unending quest for growth and enlightenment.
This class remains a wellspring of inspiration, guiding and bolstering my metamorphosis as an artist.
CREATIVE EXPLORATION
I experimented with various artistic mediums in my early years, but eventually found my passion in printmaking using a gelatin printing plate. This spontaneous medium fueled my creativity, and I embraced its high failure rate as a challenge. My resilient spirit and problem-solving mindset led me to create one-of-a-kind, whimsical mixed-media artwork. I tirelessly experimented with different paint viscosities, substrates, and mark-making tools, always seeking unorthodox objects for inspiration. During my late-night printing sessions, I let my imagination run wild and made unexpected discoveries. I skipped the step of cleaning the printing plate between pulls due to impatience, which surprisingly led to beautiful impressions that contributed to my unique style.
RESILIENCE & PROBLEM SOLVING
In my creative journey, I faced the challenge of balancing attachment and evolution. I decided to transform my existing artwork by cutting, destroying, and painting over them, viewing them as the starting points for something new.
As I sorted through the prints, I categorized them into three distinct piles based on my emotional connection and their potential for transformation.
The prints in the third pile didn't resonate with me like the others. When I couldn't find a solution for a particular print, I would tuck it away in a drawer and let it marinate. After some time, I would revisit these prints in the hope of unlocking their hidden potential, aiming to resolve the composition, colors, and contrast in a way that brought me joy and satisfaction. This process allowed me to breathe new life into pieces that initially posed creative challenges.
A BREAKTHROUGH
I discovered a new method of creating artwork that felt truly original. I placed string in a seemingly random manner, allowing it to fall naturally onto the gelatin printing plate. This spontaneous approach resulted in a delightful variety of patterns and shapes, adding an element of serendipity to the artistic process. After laying a piece of wax paper on top of the string, I rubbed my hands over the plate. When I lifted the wax paper, I was amazed to see intricate figures emerge from the lines left behind by the string. It was a moment of pure joy – I had found a unique way to bring my portrait ideas to life in a completely new and unexpected way.
Following this breakthrough, I began to paint between the lines left by the string, crafting whimsical characters, animals, and vibrant patterns. Each piece I created exuded its own personality and showcased the emotions I wanted to convey through my art – a sense of wonder, surprise, and laughter.
hangable happiness
During my first solo show, I observed that my printmaking and mixed-media art resonated with others. My work sparked new stories, evoked memories, laughter, and elicited various interpretations from every buyer and collector who visited. Each artwork signifies a journey characterized by passion, resilience, and the excitement of innovative discoveries.
Although the gelatin printing plate remains essential for my work due to its versatility, I am not confined to a specific subject matter or medium. Nevertheless, my theme and style remain consistent. Regardless of what I work with, the result is always pure joy, unapologetic individuality, a touch of whimsy, and awe in the abstract.
– And I share it here at NL Harty Art – A world where silly meets serious.
Take home a piece of hangable happy art: It is collectible, displayable, and ideal for gifting – adding a playful touch to any collection or space.