Hello everyone! We hope that your November has been treating you well so far.
First, we would like to give our sincerest thanks to everyone who participated, supported, or shared our 2019 Digital Art Fair. We were blown away by the responses that our art fair received and we wanted to offer a quick recap of how your support will introduce art therapy into more communities.
Vera Popova is a Moscow-based artist known for her cute, kind, and optimistic digital illustrations. While Vera found her art style herself, as time passed she was influenced by artists such as Kate Hindley, Benji Davies, David Roberts, Nicola Kinnear, and Sara Ogilvie. When Vera is not drawing, she enjoys traveling to places she has not been before, riding her bike, and reading books. Vera prefers classical literature and especially admires Russian and English writers such as Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, Hardy, Dickens, and Fowles. A motto that Vera lives by is to “keep your eyes on the stars and hope in your heart”.
Tima Aflitunov is a Baltimore-based artist known for his socially responsible and concept driven digital illustrations. His artwork is often influenced by ideas and concepts. When Tima is not drawing, he enjoys writing, languages, history, and science. Tima believes that “you create your own purpose in life” and has written a poem about this “huge” question of our purpose in life (You can read Tima’s illustrated poems here).
Ricci Gertz is a Montana-based artist known for her bright, clean, and elegant digital illustrations. Her artwork is influenced by vintage travel ads, Miyazaki movies, anime, Charley Harper, and the Legend of Zelda series. When Ricci is not drawing, she enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and kayaking. A motto that Ricci goes by is to “try to do one thing everyday that makes you uncomfortable or stretches you”.
Anitha Rajagopal is a Michigan-based artist known for her soulful, joyful, and meaningful gouache illustrations. Anitha’s artwork is influenced by nature. When Anitha is not painting, she enjoys singing, crocheting, and crafting. A motto that Anitha goes by is that “you are stronger than you know”.
Jessica Hagen is a Canadian artist known for her light-filled, peaceful, and captivating oil paintings. Her artwork is influenced by the freedom of nature, brilliance of light, and rustic beauty. When Jessica is not painting, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and hockey. A motto that Jessica goes by is that is is her “privilege to fail” because it means that she is “trying things and growing”.
This summer the ATAS team had the honor and pleasure of attending a “Memories in the Making” Art Facilitator Training. Developed by Selly Jenny in 1988, “Memories in the Making” is the signature art program of Alzheimer’s Orange County for people with dementia that focuses on creative expression as a form of communication. Today, “Memories in the Making” is offered in over 20 U.S. states and 4 countries.
Lucy Jennings is an East London based artist known for her fun, groovy, colourful, and positive digital illustrations. Her artwork is influenced by nostalgia, drag queens, the 70s, Dr Seuss, food, Wes Anderson, cartoons, Lizzo, and Hubba Bubba. Lucy is also inspired by other designers and she follows hundreds of illustrators on Instagram, as surrounding herself with good design has always been a great motivator. When Lucy is not drawing, she enjoys going to drag shows, visiting film and fashion exhibitions, and traveling around Europe. A motto that Lucy goes by is to “do your best”. Like many creatives Lucy is often hard on herself and her work, so she believes that it’s nice to remind herself that all she can do is her best, that her best is good enough.
Adrienne Anderson is a Virginia-based artist known for her whimsical, playful, and colorful watercolor and colored pencil illustrations. Her artwork is influenced by her childhood memories, her daughter, and dreams. When Adrienne is not drawing, you can find her playing card games, watching movies, and trying new foods. A motto that Adrienne lives by is to “enjoy the little things in life”.
Andrea Manzati is an Italian artist known for his simple, geometric, and colourful digital illustrations. His artwork is influenced by nature. When Andrea is not drawing, he enjoys watching movies, listening to music, running, and hiking. A motto that Andrea goes by is to “never give up”.