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Senior Myla D’Avanzo is the latest artist to watch. Her influences are drawn from di- verse ethnic backgrounds and are produced through a variety of media. Moreover, her work flows throughout the frame and isn’t limited by reality. Myla plans to pursue art in higher education as well as in her pro- fessional career. The Westword: What is your favorite medium? Myla D’Avanzo: My favorite medium is probably markers, especially sharpies. I some- times use acrylic or colored pencils. I like watercolors, and I’d like to get better at them. Also, I bought [an electronic drawing] tablet recently, most- ly because it will make it really easy to edit my work and pro- vides a cleaner image. TW: How did you become in- terested in art? MD: I’m really not sure, I’ve been doing art ever since I can remember. It’s always been a part of who I am. I remember art being my favorite subject in kindergarten, and nothing’s changed since. TW: Which artists or art forms have influenced your style? MD: I like some abstract and expressionist work and I would have to say that art styles from around the world greatly influ- ence me, mostly from Turkey and Africa. Turkish art utilizes a lot of lines and flowing shapes, something that I use often as well. I find African art interest- ing because it has geometric patterns and vibrant colors. TW: Do you have a favorite artist or painting? MD: I don’t really have a fa- vorite but I really like Pablo Pi- casso, Chuck Close, and Henri Matisse’s work. TW: Are there any artistic ac- complishments of which you are particularly proud? MD: Well I’ve been improving some of my stuff lately so I’m really happy with how they’re turning out, and I’ve recently started doing some digital art. TW: Which work of yours is your favorite? MD: Right now I would have to say my favorite is one of my art projects, a figure silhouette decorated with curving black and white designs [see top left]. TW: Is art included in your future plans? MD: I’d like to go to normal college for two years and mi- nor in art there. Then, [I’d like to] do two years at an art col- lege like the Maine College of Art. In my future I would love to have a job including art. I can’t imagine having a career without it. TW: Where do you find your inspiration? MD: Some [of my inspira- tion] comes from art around the world; my mom travels a lot and she always brings back things like bags and stat- ues and other interesting things and I love looking at them and seeing how different parts of the world do their art. Some- times I just draw what ever is in my head, whatever comes to mind. 33 EXPRESS December 2010 www.thewestwordonline.com Artist of the Month Myla D’Avanzo /
