Art has always been a part in my life. Academically, recreationally, and without me even realizing it. I’ve always lived through self-expression by appearance, personality, what I photograph, write, and create. Art has followed me through different eras of my life, through the highs, the lows, and the random moments in between. 

 

My art comes from life happening around me. I pay attention to everyday interactions, environments, people, objects, colors, graffiti, conversations, and the emotions that spark. Sometimes the idea is deep. Sometimes I see something and think, that would be fire to paint. Both belong in my practice.

My work can be loud, colorful, playful, strange, reflective, or very direct. There is usually a fifty-fifty perspective inside. Happiness can sit next to difficult. Something familiar can become surreal. 

 

I work primarily with acrylic, charcoal, pencil, and marker across canvas, fabric, vinyl, and paper. My style pulls from pop art, graffiti, expressionism, realism, and surrealism. I paint and draw people, environments, objects, lettering, patterns, murals, and whatever else fits the idea. I don’t feel the desire to stay inside one visual category. The consistency is in how I see things and how I translate them.

 

A lot of my process actually starts with my camera. Most places I go, I’m taking pictures. Sometimes I’m intentionally looking for something; other times something catches my eye and I photograph it quickly before the moment disappears. It starts with simply noticing what is already there and deciding that this ordinary scene is worth remembering.

 

Then I sketch. I might pull out one person or object, redraw the entire environment, simplify it, exaggerate it, or completely change where it goes next. Those sketches can happen on a sketchpad, charcoal paper, or canvas. Eventually some of them become paintings, where acrylic is my main focus. I love strong color, layers, graphic shapes, and allowing the original observation to turn into something that feels like me.

 

I also learn by looking. I browse graffiti, characters, paintings, typography, and techniques that make me stop and wonder, can I do that? Then I challenge myself to try it. Curiosity, experimentation, influence, and figuring things out by doing.

Writing and photography are part of this same world. Photography catches it. Drawing pulls it apart. Painting shows unseen sides. Writing lets me say what the image can’t.

 

I want people to recognize something when they see my work. Maybe it reminds them of somewhere they’ve been, somebody they know, something they felt, or simply something they think looks dope. Look first. Find something. See deeper. Familiar things flipped around, real life with some imagination thrown on top, boldness next to natural.

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To see how llannski is sharing her passion, click here to view her works within the community.