Every October artists from around the world participate in an art challenge making pieces of art using ink. I have used many different prompt lists but over the last few years, I have primarily done a prompt list created by Mab Graves called “Drawlloween.” These challenges have been amazing at honing my skills, teaching me to let go of perfectionism, and practice mindfulness.
Every January, I challenge myself to do a portrait a day. I have been using the app Sketchy which hosts lots of challenges involving drawing and making art using the faces of real people. It has been such an amazing way of leveling up my work.
I love using watercolors. I used to be so afraid because it felt like it was so hard to control. But I have learned how to embrace the fluidity of the medium. Which I think probably is a good metaphor for so many things in my life. Sometimes we just have to learn to embrace those things beyond our control, and recognize that no matter what happens, we will figure it out.
Every May, artists around the world join an art challenge around creating mermaids. It is absolutely a ridiculous art challenge and I would have been laughed out of art school if I had painted a ton of mermaids, but you know what… I don’t care. I love mermaids! Jung talked about the vast ocean being symbolic of our unconscious, so what better metaphor for someone deeply connected to the inner psychology of humans than a mermaid… swimming around in the deep of the unconscious.
I have always felt deeply connected to the stories about cryptids. Every culture has cryptids. They are a kind of modern mythology that lives somewhere along the boundary of what is real and what is not. I think I am also drawn to them as outsiders. Maybe because sometimes as a neurodivergent human I can question my own realness when compared to those around me.
I consider myself a pretty anxious human. I remember once someone told me that they worked through a lot of their fear by watching a bunch of horror movies. So, maybe this is my way of dealing with my own anxiety. I paint monsters and try to do it in a way that shows some compassion. Because most monsters don’t start out that way.
Dreams of sea monsters are often interpreted as unconscious fears... the notion that at some point, something from the deep will overwhelm and over power you and drag you under. My sea monsters are definitely representations of my anxiety. But I also loved the idea of having fun with the sea monsters in a way that I can not have fun with fear.
One of my favorite things to do as an art therapist is to create altered books with my clients. Together, we prepare an often times damaged book - or a copy of their favorite book- by tearing out pages and gluing remaining pages together to create thick pages that can soak up paint. We then use each pages to write black out poetry, create collages, and make paintings. Each book is unique and beautiful. And I am always amazed how the poetry can speak to something deeply personal. I sometimes make art on the leftover pages. All of these pieces are available as prints.
Most every piece of clothing I wear has some kind of embroidery on it. Whether I purchased it that way or added embroidery, there is something about the texture and the handmade quality that makes me happy. As a Mexican American, perhaps it has cultural significance. I’m not sure. It is also one of the only places that I feel super comfortable working with abstract imagery.
I did a special challenge called “Junicorn” one June a few years ago. These watercolor paintings are utterly ridiculous - but I have had so many people really like them that I decided to include them.
Most of my work I do very quickly - which is probably why I love watercolor so much. I can definitely have some adhd traits - and get bored when things take a long time. But occasionally, I make something quickly and it becomes something I think I should explore further.
More Images Here
I wanted to have a section where I could include my altered photographs and art pieces I manipulated through Photoshop. I primarily do these because I love the idea of combining imagery and creating mirrors. I especially love the weird things that show up where the images come together.
