“A Drink of Water” by Sjolin
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Acrylic on Canvas
I have been drawing and painting in mixed media, watercolor, acrylics, pencil, coffee, and ink for many years. I enjoy creating art inspired by real life subjects. My favorite subjects to draw are people, places, nature, and animals. I love drawing portraits of people from history. I’ve drawn images of Jesus on the cross to young and old men and women; famous or not so famous.
I have been drawing people for over thirty years. I always seem to learn something new when I draw people. I am curious about what life is like for other people and I wonder about the different struggles people have faced. I learn the history behind the people I draw and I hope to convey some of their stories in my painting and drawing.
Lately, I have been focused on painting, working primarily with acrylic on canvas. Some of my studies have featured places and animals. Many of my paintings are currently commissions. I also like to paint what I call, “breakouts,” where I explore abstract painting quickly. If I have extra paint left over or feel extra creative that day, I play with my imagination. ‘”Breakouts” give me new art and they always surprise me!
I practice writing and have published my short stories and poetry. I also studied commercial art North Hennepin Technical College. I have experience as an actor too, performing in movies such as Major League: Back to the Minors Part 3. I did some singing as well with the Minneapolis Commodores.
PROVIDED BY:
Avivo Artworks
Since 2004, Avivo ArtWorks, formerly Spectrum ArtWorks, has been working to support professional artists living with mental illness. Located at the Lighthouse, a Community Support Program in Minneapolis, the program meets its mission through a community-focused and recovery-based approach. Its multi-faceted art studio and programming assists artists at reaching and maintaining their artist-related goals such as making new art, connecting with other artists, and accessing exhibition and grant opportunities.
In addition to this, each year the program organizes a new exhibition that aims to meet its mission to challenge stigma and raise mental health awareness. In 2015, the program partnered with the Minneapolis Institute of Art to bring “In Conversation,” a residency and exhibition that featured 17 artists from the program. Each participant created a new piece of art that was in conversation with an object or artwork in the museum’s collection. In 2017, Avivo ArtWorks facilitated “The Big Picture,” a group exhibition that presented artwork that explored wellness in recovery through art. “To Really See,” opening August 2017 at the Hennepin County Library – Central Minneapolis, is Avivo ArtWorks first every traveling group exhibition. The show explores the medication-taking experience and will feature artwork from artists who use Avivo ArtWorks services and artists from across the state of Minnesota.