October's Featured Artist!
Welcome to October’s Featured Artist! Meet Hali, the artist behind Bone Thoughts. She creates a lot of horror movie inspired art, perfect for the Halloween season. Let’s learn more about her creative journey.
Welcome, Hali, so tell us about yourself and your artistic style?
I think art is one of the most important things in existence. I spend a little bit of every day reading poetry and looking at artwork. I majored in psychology during undergrad and minored in art. I got my master’s in art therapy in 2015. When I’m not painting, I’m probably reading or watching a horror movie.
I would describe my style as vibrant, messy, moody, and fun.
I agree, art is so therapeutic. There is nothing else like it! When did you start creating?
I’ve been making things for as long as I can recall. I remember my artwork being appreciated in school so I felt encouraged to continue. My mother was always supportive of my artwork too. Before I had paint and canvas, I would use nail polish, cardboard, spray paint, shower curtains…anything around the house that would make a mark or hold a mark.
How fun, I would love to see some of your old pieces. What’s your favorite medium to work in?
Painting and drawing are my favorite approaches, although I enjoyed photography, sculpture, and print making classes in undergrad. I took to them because I didn’t need a studio space or equipment. I also enjoy the movement that happens when painting or drawing on a larger scale.
I always loved taking art classes during my undergrad. Who are some of your favorite artists?
Some of my favorite artists are Egon Schiele, Helen Delmaire, Denis Sarazhin, Timur Akhriev, Gustav Klimt, David Levine, Willem DeKooning, and Edward Gorey. Looking at their art makes my heart feel like it’s been set on fire in the best way.
Those are all amazing artists! What else inspires you?
I am inspired daily by music and poetry. Reading just a line of poetry can inspire a whole image for me. Some musicians who inspire my art are Frank Ocean, SZA, Bjork, Debussy, Rosalia, Doja Cat, Ani Difranco, PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple, Chopin, Tori Amos, Beth Gibbons, Erykah Badu, Cat Power, Liz Phair, and Nina Simone.
Some of my favorite poets are E.E. Cummings, Maya Angelou, Billy Collins, Stephen Dunn, Saul Williams, Mary Oliver, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Rumi, Yrsa Daley-Ward, and Richard Siken.
I also make a lot of horror movie inspired art. I grew up watching horror movies with my family so it’s a pleasant memory for me. I enjoy the range of human emotions found in horror movies: fear, rage, paranoia, dread, sadness, helplessness, revenge, victory, uncertainty, and hope, etc.
You have excellent taste! Do you have any special talents aside from your creativity?
I have discovered I am highly resilient and empathetic, both of which require practice.
100% agree, hard work is always required to develop a skill. What are some rituals or processes you do while creating?
For me, I have to sit with an unpleasant thought or feeling in order to make art. I can’t make anything when I’m happy. I always put music on to get into the right head-space for art making, to block out any distractions. Once I start, my mind goes quiet and I don’t consciously pick colors or think too much about where to make a line. I just go with the process. The artwork never turns out how I see it in my mind’s eye but sometimes it’s pretty close. It is the catharsis I enjoy, not the finished product. I never want my own artwork around once I’m finished with it.
It’s so satisfying to just flow in the creative process. Have you been in any art shows?
I have had three solo shows so far. I was surprised and awed by the support and comments of friends, family, and strangers. I hope to create enough artwork soon for another.
I sell mostly to friends and family. I have made sales on Etsy and Instagram. Other sales came from art exhibits.
That’s great, I would love to see one of your shows. What are your plans for the future of your skill?
I want to incorporate more mixed media in my pictures and try painting landscapes. I have found tutorials on Youtube to be of great help when trying out new media. I wasn’t sure how to use watercolor until I tried and failed a lot. I would also like to start painting larger scale next year when I have more space.
Hali’s advice for emerging artists: “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough and that your art is bad. Remember that people reflect on others what they don’t like about themselves. Make what you like because you enjoy it, not for recognition from others. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you to grow and experiment.”
To find more of Hali’s work, visit:
Thank you for joining me for this month’s featured artist! Tune in next month for our next featured artist!
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