There is something about transforming a blank canvas into a beautiful work of art that has always intrigued me. I can say this was my first true love. I tend to live life in color. Meaning to appreciate all that comes with it. I’ve created many works within the field of art. From designing, sculpting, animating — you name it, I’ve tried it. I feel as though making art is my purpose in this world. The art I create is a reflection of my mind. My perception of people, feelings, and interests are released onto these mediums with no restraints.
Nadya Babich is an emerging artist whose abstract creations eloquently express resilience, depth, intimacy, and wonder. Born in Siberia, Nadya's artistic journey has been shaped by a series of relocations and a constant search for identity. Leaving her home country at a young age, she found herself grappling with the challenges of cultural assimilation and a sense of displacement.
Painting since a child, Marilyn Gates-Davis has over 40 years and counting as an artist. She has been working as a graphic designer for the past 30+ years, designing magazines, books, and print materials. She typically paints intimate portraits of friends and family members as well as iconic figures.
To counteract negative stereotypes, she chooses to depict the joy of the black culture through her paintings. Marilyn paints images that celebrate grace, strength, dignity and love of black people, often utilizing her art to share personal stories and childhood memories.
Coming Together Mural
The artist-designer was given support and resources to explore the values and needs of citizens who visited the business owners’ restaurant as well as being aware that the pedestrian walkway was shared by an adjacent building - a seven-story mixed- residential condominium building that also supported a small art community of five art studios and gallery space. Both agreed that there was a great need to connect the neighborhood business and building art studios which were effectively invisible to the public. The design and materials chosen for this project were the direct result of this collaborative planning effort. It was important to address ways to help engage the community with the art design process and build a welcoming environment.
What was previously a dark neglected walkway is now a transformed, well-maintained, safe, and inviting environment with a landscape area and a fine art mural that exemplifies the partnership between an artist and a business owner. Residents now regularly use this area as part of their jogging traveling paths, as well as a favorite location to visit. A marriage proposal was also witnessed there last May, as reported in Arlington Magazine.
This project, entitled Coming Together, has helped with the revitalization, preservation, and redevelopment of the area. In this effort, fine art was a universal language that assembled the participants with different perspectives and ultimately birthed a space of beauty that all could be proud of for a long time. While the mural and its title were developed to convey a global feeling, its execution was truly a local one.
What was previously a dark neglected walkway is now a transformed, well-maintained, safe, and inviting environment with a landscape area and a fine art mural that exemplifies the partnership between an artist and a business owner. Residents now regularly use this area as part of their jogging traveling paths, as well as a favorite location to visit. A marriage proposal was also witnessed there last May, as reported in Arlington Magazine.
This project, entitled Coming Together, has helped with the revitalization, preservation, and redevelopment of the area. In this effort, fine art was a universal language that assembled the participants with different perspectives and ultimately birthed a space of beauty that all could be proud of for a long time. While the mural and its title were developed to convey a global feeling, its execution was truly a local one.
Medium: Acrylic on metal
Year: 2018
Details: 4.03