Today we’d like to introduce you to Nerissa Gómez.
Hi Nerissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing. Yourself
I was born in Brownsville, TX, but I grew up in Matamoros, MX. From school to family and friends, my life spanned both sides of the border through my entire childhood. At 16 my family moved to the Houston area. Both Houston and the Rio Grande Valley make up a huge part of who I’ve evolved into as an artist. I owe who I am to the community that raised me. I started my undergraduate career pursuing pre-med until one art elective encouraged me to pivot and focus my studies in art. After my change in direction I was accepted into the UH School of Art Painting Block program. I eventually earned my BFA in studio painting with a minor in Art History.
Since then, I have continued to push myself as an artist to expand my connections in the art community in Houston and to explore various mediums and themes within my work. It has always been important to me that my day job stays close to the arts. Because of that, I began my professional career at the MFAH, and I am currently the Director of Special Events for the University of Houston’s Kathrine G McGovern College of the Arts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As an artist, you need to learn to embrace risk, push boundaries and try new things. I’ve run into roadblocks feeling comfortable enough to express myself creatively. Self-doubt can be crippling! It has taken time and experience to be able to push past my fear of failure. It’s a constant struggle, but the encouragement of my friends and piers in the art community have enabled me to persevere. I have figured out the message I want to send and the artwork that best represents what I want to say as an artist. I am excited to see where it takes me and how it evolves.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a painter and an illustrator. I work primarily with acrylic paint and ink. I am inspired by the inherent strength found in the female form, often focusing on their gaze representing a defiant, unyielding and resolute subject.
My work is recognizable through its precise composition and exact execution. Fine lines and meticulous detail embody my technique.
My pieces can be playful, but typically the tone is serious, generally focusing on the grit and determination of the female subject. I like to play with color to bring attention to specific elements and to create a mood or narrative.
Through the representation of conquering emotional pain, my work creates a narrative of strength and resilience.
The women in my work represent the protector and warrior we, as women, have inside of each of us.
My art has served and continues to work as a metamorphic medium. It has encouraged me to work through the trauma I’ve experienced in my personal life. I seek to bring attention to the adversity that women face and overcome on a daily basis.
Today, the female population finds itself reliving past struggles, while at the same time aspiring to continue to create a culture in which the female voice is heard and the power of women is felt without apprehension. Women around the world have come together to show support for one another, and I believe that this is something to be celebrated.
I hope that my work will find a place among the many voices who are amplifying female empowerment . The bolstering of this movement on a daily basis strengthens us all. When viewers recognize that strength in my subject’s eyes is when I feel the most pride in my work.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Follow your instincts and do not stop creating. Most importantly, don’t miss an opportunity to network. Community support is the most important tool in getting your work out there. Be grateful for those around you supporting your work and vision. I am so thankful for all of the love and support that I have around me.
Contact Info:
- Email: nerissamgomez@gmail.com
- Instagram: Neri_Gomez_Art
Image Credits
The “Soy Yo” series inspired by Jen Zeano Designs @jenzeanodesigns
