From Canvas Bars to Paintings
My enthusiasm for art sparked from observing my father, with this huge curiosity to his technique, as he drew and colored these realistic beautiful horses over and over again. As a little girl, I grew up in a small Albanian town, surrounded by nature, color and simplicity. I had a desire to live creatively and always innovate due to the lack of resources available to me. The challenge of getting my art skills to match those of my fathers’, is what taught me patience, consistency and dedication to continue to draw as I continued to grow up.
My family moved to New York when I turned 11 years old. The diversity stress of relocating and learning a new language rooted depression and anxiety in me. Getting involved in the school’s art program made me feel liberated as I had the space and materials to express myself without having to feel like I didn’t belong. I started to experiment more with painting and photography once I got to highschool. My family was very strict with the time I was allowed to be outside the house so I began to take my camera everywhere and explore the giant city I once felt like it was eating me alive. Collaborating with other creatives and receiving good feedback about my work, gained me the confidence I have today in believing that I was born a creator and my mission is to leave a mark on this world while empowering communities. |
Commissioned piece, oil paint on wood panel 12"x36"