Ari Peden-Asarch, Seattle WA
I've always struggled with the fact that I love the process of making my art but rarely love the end product.
As I've gotten older, I've tried to get better at loving myself and accepting all the pieces of me, and being public with my work is how that translates and since this is what comes out when nothing is filtered, sharing it is about as vulnerable as i get.
I make these without any preplanning. My hand goes where it wants and I follow what feels good to draw. Sometimes an image appears, sometimes it doesn't.
I would say my work lives somewhere between geometric zentangle and ornamental surrealism (Joan Miró, Aubrey Beardsley, and/or Nanami Cowdroy)
I think a lot of people can make things they don't love. Someone might be the best cubist painter alive, but only want dadaist pieces on their wall.
This is me trying to come to terms with what I'm actually good at - with what comes easy - instead of trying to chase the things that I wish I created.
As a fun fact, most of these were created during a lecture, meeting, or when I should have been paying attention to something else.
If any of this resonates, say hi. Prints are available if you want to carry one with you. ari.m.asarch@gmail.com
Huge shout out to my grandmother, Elaine Asarch, for showing me I had it in me. You can see her work here: http://www.elaineasarchpainting.com/