Alissa Van Atta

http://www.avaarts.net

 

A constant theme I have running in my art work since college is “The Other.”  I have found this theme often depicts a distinction, a divisiveness between the elements portrayed.  I enjoy taking an “accident” and highlighting it in my paintings, often playing with texture for that distinction.  Nature is my inspiration for textures and turns abstract when my imagination “zooms in” on the source of my inspiration.

My intention is to create an intimate connection to the viewer that is inviting and for the viewer to be compelled to touch and feel the piece.  I prefer to reduce an visual idea to a minimal composition and highlight the technical and visual effects, often organic in the material and the application.  I have used dirt, coffee, salt, sand, flowers and leaves as components in my work to achieve the organic sensibility I’m looking to complete the piece.  I mostly work in acrylic and India Ink as to give myself as much versatility as possible.