A: What has your journey to your current artistry been?
A.F.: Art is one of the biggest saving grace in my life. In my twenties I
became clinically depressed for a very long time (7 years). They tried everything to help me for
years, multiple hospitalizations, psychotropic drugs and I was even was treated Electric
convulsive therapy. I eventually found comfort in drugs and alcohol.
A.F.: At 30 I went to detox and it was at this point that my second life began. A life I never thought I
could have. They suggested a hobby, so I decided I would try art. I knew I had no talent, but
something happened when I did it, I stopped thinking about all my anxiety and I got lost in it. It was so amazing. My art was pretty bad and everyone told me, “Don’t quit your day job”, I didn’t
have one anyway, so I continued. I had no intent to become good but to continue to relax and feel
free for a few hours. It kept me going. It was powerful.
A.F.: Over the years I have improved. I am so proud when someone buys a piece. I am a woman with
no natural given talent that now makes art for people’s walls. Life is funny.
I am now a RN and help others with mental illness and addiction. I have five beautiful children
and a wonderful husband. I thank the Lord and my art for my healing.
No one should underestimate the power of creating art.
A: Looking at your work it appears you paint on surfaces other than canvas. What surface has
challenged you the most? What did you learn from working on that material?
A.F.: I sometimes go to thrift stores and buy paintings; I paint over them and recycle. I can also find them in home décor stores discounted. It just saves me on material, benefits the environment, and it also has a built-in frame.
A: Your work includes many female figures, does this manifest from self-portraiture or people
around you?
A.F.: They are different versions of me. I don’t try to do this, it just happens.
A: What does your studio practice look like day-to-day?
A.F.: I do not have one. I’m not a serious artist.
A: A defining feature of your paintings are the swirl motifs that can be found either in plain sight or woven into the fabric of your visual storytelling. What inspired this artistic choice that appears as a signature to your pieces?
A.F.: The swirls are the end of the painting at the point I am completely relaxed and free. I just go with it.
A: Is this your first time participating in the Keene ArtWalk? If not, how many years have you
participated?
A.F.: This is my 3 rd time
A: What are you most excited to display at this year’s Keene ArtWalk?
A.F.: It’s a still life of an apple. It is simple. I love painting still life’s of food, a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter is one of my favorites.
A: How do you practice self-compassion as an artist in moments of burn out, block, or frustration?
A.F.: Because I am not a professional artist, I do not face these problems. This is therapy and it doesn’t matter how it comes out, it really doesn’t. I just spent 2 hours away from my fears and anxiety. The product is a representation of that, even if its bad art it’s always good for me.
A.F.: You do not have to be a great artist to be an artist.
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