Autumn Tierra

Art as Activism

I think the reasons to paint are as varied as the subjects they depict. I paint and draw for several reasons. I began my current ambition as a hobby, something to help me relax, to express myself in a world of stress, pressure, and deadlines. But, it grew. Hobby gave way to passion and what developed was an overwhelming need, a priority above others. I paint because I love it and I paint in an effort to enrich life. I see it as an opportunity to reach out and, if I'm very lucky, create a positive change in the world around me. I paint with acrylics and incorporate as much mixed media as I can conceive of, and I draw with soft and oil pastels. Both of these aspects of my work have two basic categories. I try to include a wide audience so I paint and draw some pieces just to contribute to the aesthetics of this world. These pieces can be abstract or concrete. However, my largest interest lies in my political pieces. This is where I feel I have the largest opportunity to make a social change in the world. This is also where I can incorporate my life, my ideologies, my experiences, and my background in women's studies. I try not to make them too abstract, because I want the viewer to fully understand the message. I believe that the clear and concise statement they create is easier to grasp due to its visual appeal and thus they contribute to my ultimate goal of social change both nationally and internationally. In a culture where the media prevails, I feel that long-winded, political rhetoric or theoretical texts are largely over-looked by the majority of the population. This is where art has a small chance to catch the attention of the ever busy American. In short, I want to change the world. I am an activist and art is my medium. Often when people see my work or learn that I paint, they react similarly. They often say, "I wish I had some artistic talent….." And I react the same way every time. I tell them that if they are creative and are passionate about their work, it is artistic. Talent is such a small part, in my opinion. Art is about discovering your own style, a style or subject matter unique to you. It is not about academic standards of "good" art. In creativity lies the key to change. My name is Autumn Tierra and I just want to paint. I just want to change the world.


You can buy products with my artwork on them at: http://www.cafepress.com/autumntierra.


autumntjohnson@gmail.com