Nuestra Arte: Mia Hernandez
I
was born in August 1967 in the urban city of Brooklyn, NY to Puerto Rican parents.
My mother is from Ponce, Puerto Rico and my father is from Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
I currently reside in Queens, NY, and have the best of both worlds.
It
was with my family that I first learned to appreciate the importance of an artistic
community. Being surrounded by so many creative people provided me with a nurturing
artistic environment that encouraged me to explore and learn without boundaries.
While
traveling through Europe and the Caribbean I had the opportunity to visit the
worlds most treasured pieces in history like … the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory,
Michael Angelo’s David and to view art by Obed Gomez, Elizabeth Baez, Frida
Kahlo, Goya, and so much more.
My
family and life experience is what leads my hand and nourishes my creativity.
My family plays a big role in inspiring me along with some of my favorite
artists like, Frida Kahlo, Goya, Picasso and Rafael Tufino just to name a few.
I enjoy experimenting with various mixed mediums, acrylic and oil paint, fabric,
wood, ceramics etc. My favorite subjects to paint are of culture (Hispanic-Africano
and Taino), emotion (Loss-satisfaction-serenity) and spirituality (Santeria-Latin
folk Catholicism and Christianity).
I enjoy
sampling various existences and experiences. My paintings are a record of my
experiences and ideas, an expression of heart and personal truth. It has been
a great way to express myself visually. My emotions, love and passion for my
ancestral past and traditions are all conveyed in each painting.
If
I had to sum up my inspirations into one word it would be “Life”.
The driving force behind my work is very personal. It is an influence of family,
culture and a deep sense of spirituality.
“I
believe that if you do not try you will never know and the only risk you miss
is the one you don’t take”.
Current
Features & Exposure: 2007
- My painting “La
Dona Borinquena” was used as the home page for www.VirtualBoricua.org
- I
am featured as one of the Latino artists on http://puertoricanpower.net
- A
full page article featuring my work and bio in the March 2007 on line publication
of www.elboricua.com
Featured
as a Latina artist on ABLA’s virtual gallery my painting is also used on the
homepage. The auction is posted in the website calendar www.artbylatinaartists.com
- Auctioning
off “La Hermana” painting at a fundraiser for the Breast
Cancer Foundation in March 2007 at Columbia University
- My
paintings are exhibited in private/personal collections in NYC, Puerto Rico,
California, Miami and Nevada.