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Rice McKelvin

Drawing, Painting, Visual / Media

About the Artist

Rice McKelvin is a mixed media portrait artist that lives in the Baltimore area. Their passion for art history and pop culture influences their work. Their unique experiences have left them with PTSD,  that they choose to draw inspiration from. Art started as a way for Rice to cope with abuse and has grown to aid in their recovery from it. Their artwork has always represented personal hope for the future, and now helps them solidify and explore the progress they have made. Rice has also been using their art to help fully explore their identity, and relationships. Being somewhat out as pansexual, non-binary/agender and polyamorous, their art has become a safe way to express those aspects of their identity more openly

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Artist's Statement

I am currently working in a mix of media. Mainly using charcoal to render the likeness of my subject. I add color with paints and inks to build a base and add layers to the finished work. Creating a greater sense of depth and a unique combination of realism, action painting, and pop art. I am influenced by an avid interest in art history and pop culture. I am exploring personal connections and experiences in the themes of my work.

Featured Work

Photos

I recently had a severe flashback, that left me crying repeating, "I can't go back" and I wanted to work through that feeling of being dragged back into that space I so desperately didn't want to return to. Of clawing at the edges trying to stay out. I used this piece to work through those feelings, and I brought myself to a sense of empowerment. Which is why the title is "Won't Go Back" because I know I'm safe now and I never have to return to that place.
Cyberpunk Captain of the guard, strong and protective
I often have thoughts and actions of self harm. This piece shows very visually how those thoughts manifest in my mind. Though my acts of self harm have yet to escalate to the severity depicted. It's still a small glimpse into what plays in my head during dark times.
The nightingale was chosen for the symbolic connection to love, secrets and anticipation. This piece is more so about secrets kept from myself, and the anticipation of unlocking them with love. An attempt to heal and discover myself after all of the pain.
This piece is inspired by song lyrics, that really spoke to the feeling of my anxiety. The stitches on lips help convey the analyzation and inability to speak. Being trapped within yourself, and struggling to fight your own mind.