2013 MSAA Art Showcase Entrants

View this month’s Artist of the Month

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Shana Stern – Austin, TX

I used to be a writer – now my eyes and hands don’t work so great. I have days I can barely read — when I can’t grasp a pencil.

I used to dance – now my foot won’t let me carry out the movements.

So now I am creating with paint.

I am 42 year-old single, full time parent of an amazing 8 year old boy. I have had RRMS since 1999 and each day is a new struggle with fatigue, pain, vision and cognitive issues. After being sidelined and stuck at home for the 2nd time in 3 years by a major injury caused by a fall from my drop foot – I discovered a way to paint that didn’t require me to hold a paintbrush. It has been my sole escape from the pain and side effects of all of my meds.

Always having been strongly moved and controlled by music – I see entire choreographed, costumed and lit dances when a song attaches itself in my head. I then listen to nothing but that one song for days while I make the liquid acrylics, wait for them to be ready and then pour them on the canvas.

Attempting to control the uncontrollable, and to make something beautiful out of the chaos which ensues when i move and tilt the canvas – is my way of fighting back against the daily uncontrollable issues I have with my health. As the liquid starts to make formations on the canvas, I work from underneath the canvas with my fingertips ,to bring out some of the otherworldly affects you will find on my paintings. I do not use any brushes or other instruments.

I have been inspired by artists on the MSAA website and hope I may serve as inspiration to others.

 

Just Breathe
Just Breathe
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Numb
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Nemesis
Nemesis
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