Tag: storytelling in art

Patricia Frederick makes a mark on canvas and then waits to see what it wants to become. In this interview, the retired art educator talks about her process-based approach to painting, the difficulty of trusting gut feeling over years of design training, and how her work has turned into a way of investigating consciousness. She discusses what happens when paintings show her thoughts before she recognizes them, why she stays away from anything resembling a horizon line, and what she means when she says her work is supposed to act as…

In this interview, Lebanese visual artist Rania El Osta speaks about moving from Medical Sciences to painting, the influence of family memory, and why birds and old houses continue to appear in her work. She shares how observation, color, and lived experience shape her process, and what it means to carry images of Lebanon beyond its borders.

In this interview, Sokhna Mariama talks about migration, nature, and working across different mediums. She shares how her life between Dakar and Italy shaped her way of seeing, how ideas guide her process, and how her projects invite people to take part rather than only observe.

In this interview, Elodie Martin talks about how her childhood in Arles, her time exploring visual arts and her return to hand embroidery all come together in the pieces she creates today. She explains how she chooses her materials, how she moves between Lunéville crochet and needle work, and how works like Splinters of rose form a space where memory, care and the pace of nature meet. Her insights offer a close look at the thoughtful, steady way she builds stories through thread.

In this interview, Daniela Tovar talks about the early paths that shaped her work, from theatre and music to design and years of training in drawing and painting. She shares how watercolour became the medium that suited her way of working and how travelling to learn from different teachers pushed her to grow in unexpected ways. Her insights reveal how painting and illustration each give her a way to tell stories and connect with others.

Standing in front of a crowd with your artwork can be exciting, but let’s be honest, it’s also a little nerve-wracking. You want people to really “get” what you’ve made, to see the stories, the choices, and the little quirks that make your work yours. That’s where your portfolio becomes your best friend, it’s like a trusty sidekick that helps you tell your story without leaving anyone behind. A portfolio isn’t just a bunch of images slapped together. Think of it as a guided tour through your art world. Whether you’re…

Every artist dreams of having a single, perfect portfolio that impresses everyone. But here’s the catch: what speaks to a gallery curator doesn’t always connect with a private collector, and what wins over a client commissioning work might bore someone browsing for investment. Each audience views your portfolio through a different lens, and pretending that one version works everywhere is like wearing hiking boots to a black-tie event. Practical, yes, but not the impression you want to leave. Consider this: a gallery seeks depth, consistency, and a clear trajectory in your…

Every artist wants their work to be noticed, but here’s a secret: people don’t just remember individual pieces, they remember stories. Think about the last time a movie or a comic really stuck with you. It wasn’t just the characters or visuals, it was how the story unfolded. Your portfolio can do the same thing. Instead of just showing a series of disconnected works, a narrative sequence guides your audience through your creative journey. A portfolio that tells a story gives context to your art. Imagine someone browsing images online without…

Every artist has little things that mean a lot, maybe it’s a childhood toy, a pattern you loved in your grandmother’s kitchen, or a recurring motif you notice in dreams. These small, personal symbols carry stories that only you fully understand, and they can become powerful tools in your art. When someone else sees them, even if they don’t grasp every layer, they feel a connection, like a secret handshake. Think about a painting that features a little paper boat. To you, it might be a memory of a rainy afternoon,…

Every artist who experiments across mediums eventually asks the same question: Will people think I’m all over the place? You might paint, sculpt, and dabble in digital art, and while that feels exciting to you, it can spark worry about how others will interpret it. The truth is, the fear of looking scattered is common, and it usually comes from the pressure to present yourself as “marketable” in a neat box. However, creativity doesn’t always fit neatly into boxes. Instead of treating variety as a weakness, consider it a strength waiting…