Artist Statement

Life’s experiences have led the work of Iiadonnasanova Owens –Williamson into a new direction of being more than just aesthetically appealing. Specializing in portraiture, she no longer relies solely on relaying subject information through composition, colors and the brushstrokes used; she’s now allowing the subject’s story to paint the picture.  Her most recent body of work thrives on the belief that we are all composites of our everyday experiences; similar to piecework or a patchwork quilt.  Our exterior appearance reveals little about us.  It’s our individual life experiences and the realizations they evoke that form us into whom we truly are.  That side of being is not exposed until the layers are slowly stripped away.  Like her collage paintings, the view from afar can be quite deceptive. They appear to be paintings until a closer look is taken.  That closer look unveils truth.  Her most recent work, collaged portrait painting, exposes those layers. It defines human existence for what it truly is, a haphazard conglomerate of textures and patterns encapsulated in daily experiences that define and validate our existence.

Mixed Media: Acrylic collage


“More than My Circumstance: An Artist’s Celebration of Life”

Currently looking for models willing to be featured in one of a series of collage paintings that celebrate the before, during and after of life altering circumstances. The focus is on the spirit of survival that continues to inspire even if that circumstance eventually results in or has resulted in death.  This series will include men, women, children and any circumstance which includes but is not limited to: cancer, Alzheimer’s, single parenthood, abuse, war, death, etc.  This will be an ongoing project but the first 10 collage paintings will be unveiled in a local gallery exhibit in 2012/13.

These paintings will be rotated through numerous venues.

The hope for these paintings is to encourage, inspire, educate and act as therapy to others through visual storytelling.  Celebrating life means to not only celebrate the ‘good days’ but also the challenging situations that help us appreciate those ‘good days’ even more; and to value the lessons learned through those challenges.


If you are interested, or know of someone who might be or would make an interesting subject, please access www.iiaowens.com and submit your information for consideration on the contact page.

 

Thank you,

Iia Owens-Williamson