Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Silva.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started actively pursuing drawing skills when I was 19. I never got a degree, but I took every art class my local community college had. Art has really helped my self-esteem, every painting I paint makes me love myself a little more. I paint mostly women and figurative work, its what feels most familiar. I was strictly doing ink drawings for a while, but after taking a few painting classes, all I make are large paintings.
Please tell us about your art.
I like to work large; I love having the freedom of a large piece of canvas. I’ve worked in oil before, but to my own surprise, I prefer to work in acrylics. The paint dries, so its harder to smooth things out to perfection. I like seeing the brushstrokes; it gives it a human touch. I paint women almost 100% of the time. It comes so naturally for some reason compared to other things. Painting a nose or a mouth truly brings me so much joy. Most of the women I paint are of color and are painted in blues, greens, pinks or whatever color I’m feeling that isn’t a skin tone. Growing up as a visibly Mexican-American woman I often felt out of place, like I might as well be green or blue. To me, art is about showing your audience something that they’ve never seen or felt before. The first blue woman I saw came to me in a dream, and since then I can’t stop painting otherworldly women. I’ve only been painting for about two years, and my work is still evolving, but I feel like I’m on the right track and am so excited to think of where I’ll be in 5 years.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success can be lots of different things for different people. This is a question that I struggle with all the time. Sometimes when I catch myself worrying about followers and likes, I have to remind myself that ultimately I’m doing this for me and no one else. I can’t paint what other people want me to paint, I can only express what’s inside myself, and if people don’t respond well to that, then that sucks but there’s nothing I can do about it. I think of all the artists that got zero recognition while they were alive, but they kept working, just for themselves. I feel I’m already successful because five years ago I never thought I would have the skill set I do now. My paintings bring me joy, and I shouldn’t need anything more than that. My only goal right now is to keep painting and to have a solo show in the near future. Money is nice, but that’s not a thing that drives my work. Honestly, I love all my paintings and wouldn’t mind keeping them forever.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
One of my paintings will be showing at the Dougherty Arts Center in Austin March 23rd- April 13th. I would like to have a solo show this year; you can follow my Instagram @nvtureofmind for updates and more work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stacysilva10.wixsite.com/ssilva
- Email: stacy.silva10@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nvtureofmind/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nvtureofmind/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Stacy SIlva
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