When thinking about art everyone has a different idea about it. You can tell em art can be music, a doodle, a t-shirt design, or an image you took with your phone. As an artist, you are not chained by a simple canvas for you can create art on anything that comes to mind. For example, the way you can alter images, mix colors, or make words rhyme. I saw an interesting art performance by @wavychico at the Aficionado @aficionadobrand art event that was done by dance. Art can come in different ways and experimenting with your own work such as an artist who experiments with sound as an example. Speaking to Danny Villarreal @meemorp_ at Aficionado who is an artist and creates crafts. He's been meaning to add colors to his work due to some mixed emotions about the idea of colors, but this is where experimentation comes into play. He recently added colors to his recent work and its a step to take in trying something new. We may be scared of the outcome but in the end, we may actually enjoy the turnout due to trying something new. This week's post features an artist who not only paints but expands in her field by working on fabrics as her canvas as well.
Clarrissa Sifuentes @csifue,
Her favorite food is lasagna but also mentions cheesecake, but there are so many types of lasagnas and cheesecake. When I used to volunteer at Mission Regional Hospital I loved their veggie lasagna, but when it comes to cheesecake it has to be classic with me although I can go with strawberry as well. When visiting the Cheesecake Factory for the first time and tasting their magnum opus it had so many strange flavors to it and I didn't enjoy it. Is cheesecake still my favorite, yes.
When it comes to her favorite bands she mentions Florence & The Machine (Which I listened to while writing this and it had a rather inspiration feel to it. I'll most definitely back and listen to it while reading the lyrics.) Rod Steward, and Kate Bush. When asked about her favorite artists she mentions that she is inspired and motivated by her classmates. Clarrissa states "sometimes I just want to talk to them and let them know how inspiring & wonderful their work is." In some cases, people may be jealous of others' work or don't even wish to see it, but it's nice to know you feel that way and that others may certainly feel the same way about your work as well.
Clarrissa says she has a lot of favorite local artists when asked if she has a favorite she said: " the 1st that come to mind are @peacedoesdrawings, @carlahughesart, @betyourself, @n.o.o.d.l, @eon_miles, @ex.sketch, & I can keep on going, there are just so many amazing and talented artists here in the Rio Grande Valley!" Well, thank you, Clarrissa for the new artists to follow which inhabit The Valley. I'll check them out as soon as possible!
When we are first introduced to something we gain interest or maybe we just have to idea to just gain a skill just because we want to. For example, if you start playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 it might have caused an interest in skateboarding and you start saving up to purchase your own board. Due to what you witnessed and wished to learn. Clarrissa may not recall when she first started drawing but says "let's just stick with 6yrs old!" She did begin to draw at an early age, but what may have been the cause? Well, her inspiration as she mentions was "Sailor Moon" as she was growing up. We all know Sailor Moon or take a quick google search and you can see a difference in style as the images posted throughout the post. I do know a lot of people who start drawing due to animations and grow from there. As we grow we do indeed change and try out new things. In this case, we experiment and see what we enjoy.
As mentioned we grow from our inspirations due to our experimentation. From Sailor Moon inspired drawings she says "my style has definitely changed a lot, I started with female anime characters, to realism, abstract, then back to semi-realism?" Not only does the style change, but the influences as well she brings up "Levon Bliss, Keiichi Tanaami, & Franz Lanting" as influences to her current work. Looking up these artists Lanting confused by his work because I thought they were painting, but it was actually photography if I'm not mistaken. Along with Keiichi Tanaami, I see your influences, and looking at their work was also very nice.
When it comes to a creative process you may create drafts or write lyrics before the beat or vise versa. When I begin drafting my blogs I'll usually have a drink with me along with Spotify on. I've been eating dino nuggets during my breaks and I'll come back to drafting. Although for some it may be something simple before we get started working as Clarrissa mentions "I don't really have a process, I just make coffee and start sketching my ideas out." As some say as long as it gets the job done or rather "if it ain't broke don't fix it." In the end, you're just working on what you enjoy.
Of course, as an artist, we have our favorite pieces, and Clarrissa shares with us "my favorite piece at the moment would probably be this lil' Insect looking gal." Looks like a beetle due to the horns in the front but once your eyes focus onto the shell it becomes more interesting, Why insects though? Well, she states "I really enjoy drawing and taking photos of insects. They are just so complex, and easier to capture on camera it's exciting!" Going with bug type hybrids due to "drawing people isn't really my cup of tea so I decided to go for an insect/human hybrid on this one" which this piece is done well incorporating both insect and human aspects. Even though drawing people isn't her cup of tea she still went on and did it. Getting out of your comfort zone and seeing how things turn out.
Not only does Clarrissa experiment with her art style, but other platforms as well. From drawing as she mentions "I enjoy drawing digitally but prefer going traditional," but it does deeper than that. Not just from the tools used, but "I love experimenting on clothing and doodling on fabric" which is done by as she says "I use Charcoal, acrylic, oil, markers, I use anything that allows for me to get work done." Of course, these are pieces done on fabric which for instance cannot be so easily changed if it was work done digitally which she adds by stating "things don't usually come out as expected but hey practice makes perfect right?" You will most certainly get better by just practicing and sometimes the expected result may be a different outcome to which you may actually enjoy.
It can all start with a simple idea and leading onto a dream which is what Clarrissa mentions "I actually used to dream of designing for runway shows" it most certainly can become a reality. Although she has other plans at the moment which she shared with me "I decided that once I graduate with my bachelors I want to get my masters in Studio Art to teach at a university level but hey that doesn't mean that I'll stop doodling on fabric!" Even when she stated she doesn't have plans to stop creating artwork on fabric "I always wanted to doodle on fabric so I did that a lot after graduating from high school" she says as she creates more artwork on clothing the possibility of her having her own local runway show can be a
possibility and growth along with other designers in the valley!
Our community hosts art galleries, local band events along with vendors which are just amazing to witness and seeing people who support one another in one place. Even if you have not been apart of an event, but were at in event that's all that matters as she says "I do enjoy going to art events around the RGV. I love seeing featured artists and seeing the art community come together to do what they love." We may in hard times at the moment due to our current situation but local venus such as Sauce House @saucehouse hosts live artist on their Instagram page during these times and soon we'll be back to watch them live but we all wish to be back supporting local in person as she states "I love the RGV's art scene, personally I'd love to be more involved with local events and social gatherings I'm hoping to be more Socially involved once this current situation eases down a lil' more." We'll be back at local events in due time to support one another.
Growing and developing her style along with trying new things she advises "just do what you want, keep going at it especially now more than ever! Take this chance to learn and experiment more. Develop new hobbies, just have fun, stay safe & above all never give up." Overall just keep trying and do your best. Its all a learning experience until you feel like you conquered it. Just know that someone enjoys your art and waits for the next post or glimpse of what you are working on.
It's all in the art of experimenting and trying new things.
Clarrissa also has a photography page on Instagram if you wish to look into it here as some images she has captured,
@sifu.photos
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