Artist Profile: Patricia Ariel

Name & Hometown:

Patricia Ariel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Neighborhood:

Everett's art district

Your Medium/Craft:

painting/drawing/illustration

Years doing your craft:

Professionally, 12. But I've been drawing since I was a little kid.

How did you first get started in your craft?

Although drawing had been a lifelong activity, I had never thought about becoming a professional visual artist until I moved to the United States. In my hometown I was more active in the performing arts scene. In my first years in the US verbal communication became difficult since I was not fluent in English, so all I had was visual communication. Then I finally embraced drawing and painting to tell my stories and also as a professional career.

Favorite Artist(s) and/or Inspirations?

Too many artists to count. I am very inspired by the masters of old, and hopelessly fascinated by the Pre-Raphaelites and the 19th century symbolists. Music is also a huge part of my world: dreampop, shoegaze, dark ambient, neo-classical. The words of Rumi, Khalil Gibran and Fernando Pessoa. The movements of Pina Bausch and Martha Graham. German Expressionism. The invisible and unknown.

Favorite Piece You've Created?

"Rite of Saturn", a mixed media on canvas piece that started a new chapter in my trajectory as an artist. With this work I finally felt empowered to embrace darker and more personal themes.

Rite of Saturn // Courtesy of Patricia Ariel

What’s the most challenging part of being an artist, or something you had to overcome?

The business side of the job sometimes feels excruciating. Selling and promoting my work is a challenge most of the days. Putting a price on a piece feels a lot like putting a price on yourself, and if you are too self-critical or perfectionist it will be extremely hard to be fair to your work's value. I had to adapt to this aspect of the job but it never gets easy.

Process wise, overcoming perfectionism and listening to the work, allowing the piece to exist naturally. Extreme control of the process is a trap that most artists fall into, which interrupts the flow of energy and spontaneity.

Movement #13 // Courtesy of Patricia Ariel

How can people be supportive of the arts?

Attending shows, artwalks, connecting with the artists. Sharing their favorite artist's works. Getting educated about art and the artistic process.

Favorite quote and/or words to live by?

"Follow your destiny,
Water your plants,
Love your roses.
The rest is shadow
Of unknown trees."

- Fernando Pessoa

Favorite place in Everett to eat?

J Ramen and Sushi

Favorite place in Everett to hang?

Toggle's Bottle Shop

The Naked World // Courtesy of Patricia Ariel

What's next for you?

I am currently building a new body of work to present to galleries. I am focusing more on maturing my style at the moment instead of committing myself to frequent shows like I did in the past, but eventually I will have to put my face out there again and I am getting ready for that.

Where can people see more of your art?: On my website and Instagram is where you can peek into the studio and see the flow of my process.

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