Today we’d like to introduce you to Andria Nguyen.
Andria, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana until the age of fourteen. Growing up with a father who is an artist and works for the Mardi Gras World, I was always surrounded and mesmerized by his home art projects, murals, floats, paintings, sculptures – you name it. My mind felt wide and wavering as the ocean. Ever since I was a child, I knew all I wanted was to blink into my dreamland and create with anything I can grip onto. My parents never enrolled me into art programs, but I drew endlessly in my room and began understanding techniques through practice and my father’s teachings. After Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf, my family and I evacuated to Houston. Through my journey’s ups and downs, art has always been there for me. I felt as if I can pour paint right into my open wounds and heal my spirit altogether.
My life has had a constant flow of half-used sketchbooks, diaries, and poetry. I continued to draw using mostly graphite and charcoal pencils throughout the years, but did not put paint to canvas until my first year of college. In the fall of 2009, I began my BFA in Studio Arts – Painting at the University of Houston and was admitted into their block program. I fell in love with art history and the grandeur of Baroque and Gothic eras. I was encouraged my all my friends, mentors, and professors to never stop creating, and I don’t intent to ever. In the past four years, I started taking my art more seriously. I began growing my business further with collectors, completed two artist residencies, and ventured into local art shows throughout in Houston. The universe has brought me this far and now I have the opportunity to paint for the rest of my life.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m a visual artist and love to take on many different projects. Expressing myself through the arts is all I have ever known. I have always been drawn towards macabre themes and spiritual elements — conjuring ways to reveal how it can be beautiful, comforting, and most evocative. My work has evolved out of years of drawing by myself and obsessive horror movie watching. I’m also inspired by use of light, detail, exaggeration, and symbols in Baroque art. I love to incorporate sculptural and religious elements into my work. Commissions and custom art are also my daily go-tos.
I business with feelings, so I paint in direct response to my emotions. I feel like most of my personal pieces resemble portraits, or past lives/memories. Painting gives way to embrace my joys, fears, spiritual beliefs, and hidden secrets. It allows me to manifest things that haunt me and then it brings me peace. I found my true comfort in the darkness and sometimes I feel like we all have the same hiding place there. I’m looking for something metaphysical, to cause an emotional response.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Starts now. Do it now and never stop creating. If I could turn back time, I would’ve mastered my art, techniques, and networked further when I had those opportunities right in front of me. I took some time away from art in my life, but always came back. If you want to achieve greatness, you have to put in the work. Open yourself to the possibilities of each day and in every person, you meet. Art has been the best choice of my life and it’s a dream to do what you love.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have an art studio close to downtown where I paint and meet my clients. You can view my artwork on my website, www.themermaidblues.com/art and follow me on Facebook & Instagram @themermaidblues! I’ll announce when I start dropping new pieces and filling up my online shop at www.themermaidblues.com/shop.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themermaidblues.com
- Email: mergoddez@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themermaidblues
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themermaidblues
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Image Credit:
All Content © The Mermaid Blues 2018.
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