The Arts & Business Council, Blackbird Media, and F&M Bank have teamed up to present the Artist of the Week on The Nashville Sign. This week’s featured artist is Angela Howell.
Angela is a national speaker, abstract artist, transformation coach and the best-selling author of “Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness.” Her art is available at All About Art Gallery & Framing in Hendersonville, MarketPlace Interiors Nashville, and Frothy Monkey Franklin, and on her website.
Artist Statement:
My abstract art evolves like life. It’s messy and chaotic. As in life, I focus on what I know and trust that everything will eventually work together for good. I start by randomly, yet intuitively, layering the canvas with color, texture, and expressive marks. For a while, individual facets may not necessarily relate. Then all of a sudden, magic happens and clarity begins to surface. Shapes take form and I find myself solving a puzzle with clues that have been there all along.
Slowly, balance finds its way into the chaos and creates meaning in the composition of my art, as well as in my life. I see now how every single stroke had its purpose, regardless of what remains visible in the end. Gratitude surfaces and the next steps become clearer. What appeared to be a crazy, disjointed mess becomes intentionally simplified in order to place emphasis on what matters most. Decisions must be made regarding what to keep, what to lose, and perhaps, what to bring back.
I’m often asking myself questions. What works? What doesn’t? Sometimes it’s difficult to tell. I proceed anyway, because rarely is any move so permanent that it cannot be undone or recovered. A life lived unafraid of mistakes, is a life really lived and one of my constant aspirations.
My perfectionist never tells me I’m good enough or that a piece is done, but I’m learning to ignore her deception. Life, my work, my art—they are not done, but this is where I am so far. Not where I used to be and not where I will be. I’m merely Finding the Gift each day, stopping at interesting places and letting my creativity flow. As I step out of my comfort zone to show more of my true colors, I hope others will be inspired to follow their own heART and do the same. ~Angela Howell
Want to be featured on The Nashville Sign? Visual artists working in any medium, who are members* of the Arts & Business Council at the Basic Level ($30 annually) or above, are eligible to apply for Artist of the Week on The Nashville Sign.
*Those unable to become members due to financial barriers can be granted a waiver. Contact us at [email protected] to be confidentially considered for a waiver.