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THE ARTIST |
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Photo and Poem use only by permission |
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EMELINA M. Figueroa Symonds, was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mx. But she calls Arizona her home. As a child, she demonstrated mature artistic talents in the areas of art, dance, singing and writing. She began her artistic studies in 1991 under the private instruction of Olga Quinones, specializing in traditional European oil painting techniques. Later on, she became involved with non-toxic printmaking methods under the instruction of Beth Lacour, which influenced her to incorporate health and environmentally friendly processes into her painting approach.
She now creates her URBANIC (short for Urban-Organic) Mixed-Media Paintings by using acrylic and water based art materials along with organic elements such as marble powder, sand, wood, seeds, coffee, fibers, grains, other natural and recycled items. EMELINA’s Contemporary and Abstract paintings are also influenced by her Latino background. She finds her inspiration in nature, love, spirituality, and the arts.
Her work has been exhibited in National and International Shows and Galleries in Arizona, California and Mexico. EMELINA’s paintings and prints have been sold to art collectors from the United States, Mexico, Sweden, Japan and Saudi Arabia. She also performs art demonstrations, lessons and workshops in corporate and private settings along with a monthly TV art lesson segment on AMAZ on Channel 7/cable 13. |
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CURRENT GALLERY EXHIBITS Grayleaf Galleria. Prescott, AZ. Arizona Fine Art Expo. Scottsdale, AZ.
MEMBERSHIPS ALAC: Advocates for Latin@ Arts and Culture
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS Beyond Words Gallery. Juried Show. First Place Winner in Non-toxic Intaglio printmaking and Honorable Mention in Mixed Media painting. Sunflower Art Festival. Prescott, AZ. Summer 2003.
Arizona Artist Guild. Award. Spring 1998 and Spring 2000.
Mountain Artist Guild. Award. Fall 1997 and 1998.
The Phoenix Center for Community Arts. Visual Arts Center. Juried Show. Obtained 1st place in 3-D Mixed-Media Painting and 2nd in 2-D Mixed-Media Painting. Phoenix, AZ. Summer 1999. |
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SCHOOLING Yavapai College. Prescott, AZ. (Painting, figurative live drawing, non-toxic Intaglio Printmaking/etching-lithography-mono-printing, ceramic sculpting, color pencil.) Private Lessons with Olga Quinones in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mx. (Traditional European Oil Painting & pastels) Centro Cultural de las Artes in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mx. (Pencil drawing and ink) *Associate of Arts Degree: Fine Art & Foreign Languages. Yavapai College. *Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies & Professional Communication. Old Dominion University.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION ALAC: Advocates for Latin@ Arts and Culture Yavapai Big Brothers/Big Sisters |
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THE ARTIST BIOGRAPHY |
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ARTIST STATEMENT |
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THE ARTIST’S LOUNDRY |
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What is Urbanic Mixed-Media Art? I wanted to find a word or a concept that would represent my contemporary and abstract paintings. URBANIC is short for Urban-Organic. My Urbanic Mixed-Media Art is about incorporating health and environmentally friendly art materials with organic items. It is about recycling and reinventing ideas to create art that helps us connect more with our-selves, nature and other people; therefore by bringing a more organic feeling into our busy urban life style. It is also about bringing together intentional creativity with health and environmentally friendly materials to make a beautiful world out of art!
Why do I use eco-friendly products and materials? I studied non-toxic printmaking techniques from 1998-2001, and one of the techniques involved UV light, baking soda, and computer film (among other materials). I loved the concept of natural elements merged with technology for the purpose of being health and environmentally friendly when printmaking. I felt inspired to adopt those values when creating my mixed-media paintings. As a result, I became more conscious of the materials and methods I use and how to better handle them. I also learned about other innovative mixed-media processes and then I switched from oil paints to acrylic and water base materials. I have been incorporating organic elements into my paintings since I was a child because I love their shapes, textures, colors and the way they feel when working with them. They remind me of how beautiful and special the little things in life are.
What placed you into this current art direction? My paintings are inspired by Nature, Love, Spirituality, Personal Transformation and Development, Science, Celebration, Life, and the Arts. My technique and style are the result of integrating my curiosity, explorations and experimentations with concepts and methods I have learned from others in the past. Also, having struggled with my health and personal life in the past, I began looking for solutions in books, people and alternative sources. In 2004 I made a big shift in my life for the better and was called to create Art for myself. I created my own visual reminders: images that would encourage and inspire me to feel what I desire in life.
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