So tell me about your senior project!

My senior project is a continuation of recurring images that have been appearing in my paintings since sophomore year of college. It’s about the link between the mind and art, and how art (for me) is primarily therapeutic, but it can also be therapeutic for anyone. My project is basically composed of images that derive from the subconscious, images that derive from automatic writing, and automatic drawing. 

What is your senior show going to visually look like in the gallery?

Right now, the focal point is going to be a headboard to a bed, painted with different scenes, and above are going to be mobiles hanging from the ceiling. On the walls will be different paintings that are going to be cut out to the painting’s edge, so it’s the contour of the image much like abstract expressionists used to. I want it to represent dreaming, and be a secluded space cluttered with thoughts and images layered on top of each other creating a story, but also separate pieces within themselves. I want it to reference collage work by putting it up on the wall the way I see it in that moment. I think what’s cool about it is that the narrative can change as I switch the images around. Again referencing dreaming with the mobiles and the bed. 

I want to know more about this connection between art and therapy, or this healing experience you talk about.

It's personal for everyone, but is definitely possible for everyone. For me, the connection is with things that have happened in my life, stress, anxiety, depression, and how it all affects me. Personally, it’s hard for me to verbalize my feelings and I often internalize a lot of these emotions, and painting is a way to get it out. It helps me to see my mind on the canvas and look at it and say, “this is what I’m feeling”. When I stand back, I see my feelings on the canvas. The physicality of using my hands to create something is also therapeutic. This connection between mind, body, and soul goes along with that too, and seeing my mind, body and soul on the canvas. Instead of talking or writing about my feelings and thoughts, I paint them and analyze them as I go along. I'm not thinking- only feeling, and I am one with myself during the process. Everything can shut off. That being said, everyone is different.

So for you, art is more of a personal experience than something you want to hang on a gallery wall and sell?

Yes. I’m not making art for anyone else. I hope that if it is hung up, or someone comes across my art, that they have their own feelings and interpretations of it. I try to move away from telling people what my art is about, or the context. I like people to come up with their own stories and feelings about the work. 

When making art, I know it depends on what you’re feeling since it is your therapy, but what recurring themes are there, especially in your senior work? 

Primary colors and shapes in my art are visual themes that occur along with biomorphic forms. There are underlying themes of feeling alienated or misplaced, and being a woman and femininity since I'm making curvy forms that reference womanhood. They aren’t sexualized, it just goes back to being a woman. 

What artists have inspired your work in terms of your senior project if you could pick your top three?

Frida Kahlo although she’s more concrete. I love her narrative in each of her pieces, seeing what she feels is so special. Art is her diary and I connect with that. She also painted as therapy. 

Louise Bourgeois inspires me visually. Especially her soft sculptures. I like her strange humanoid resembling forms. Everyone I look to makes art to heal or get images out of their mind, it seems like. 

Merot’s biomorphic forms relate to my work as well, so do his color choices.

What does your studio or workplace look like? Are there any key items you need in your space while you work?

A complete mess. I don't plan anything and I'm very lost in my head, so I often end up with paint all over me, and the walls, and floor, and ceiling (somehow). I go into it specifically trying to not make a mess but it's just part of my process. 

I definitely don't like anyone in my space watching me work, but I’m good with people who have good energy, but no distractions. If i'm talking to someone I’ll get distracted and can’t get into the groove. I need music, different types depending on the mood I’m in, also snacks in my space!

What would you say is the biggest difference between yourself in freshman year versus senior year (in terms of your artwork)?

I was caught up in trying to be an artist that had the patience to perfectly render figures, and I thought I had to be that. I just didn't have the confidence to bring out my weird, and to say that I don't enjoy doing things for clients! Which is weird cause I'm in art school, but that's still okay! Mainly the confidence and realization that I don't have to be what I picture in my head, or what others may put on me, or what others ask me to paint. It’s okay to be different, and try things and fail. The main difference in myself and in my art is the confidence within myself.

So, you’ve wanted to be an art therapist for a long time now. What do you see in this path that you think you can add to or wish to enhance?

I want to make things accessible to all communities. I think there's a disparity with communities of color who don't have as many opportunities to get access to holistic health or mental health specialists, so that's big with me. Holistic health is so important. Children with chronic illnesses in hospitals, it’s a great way to express themselves, their feelings, especially with nonverbal children, getting started at an early age with expressing yourself even without words. My focus is to bring the opportunity to people who may not have it otherwise. it's important for people to have options, not everyone wants to talk, and expressive therapy is up and coming. Providing choices for people is great and having a professional help you with that is even better. I didn't know what I was doing when I was first participating in art as a therapeutic form, and I just wanted to be a guide for those who need it.

How do you feel that your artist community has affected you? 

My close friendships here have made all the difference. I made my own little community. A community that pushes you and doesn't tell you your work is good just cause they're your friends or peers is important and I've found that here and made that circle. That's been helpful and it's what helped me launch my confidence, not because people say, “yes its good '', but people tell me when my art sucks and then I fix it. That's the community I look for anywhere. Mentors have helped me in my internships and people I met along the way in the art therapy or child life specialist field. Staying in touch with people and not being afraid to ask questions.

What advice would you have for freshman Carissa, what would be one thing you’d tell her to do differently?

It goes back to confidence. The amount of times I've stressed about something because I didn't think it was good enough and it turned out being great. Also, get your shit together and get a schedule going, a routine going, but also you're better than you think!