Artist Emilia Arana

Emilia Arana - Artist Statement

These paintings come into being through a process of layering, destruction and rebuilding, bringing the painting surface to a requisite complexity, though hopefully maintaining an appearance of ease. It is a process of paintings abandoned, then recovered . . . over periods of weeks or years, bringing the surface into a balance that breathes resolution and completion. It is a journey of multiple intangibles, where the painter searches to find authentic expression, and to learn from the doubt that inevitably coexists.

There have been two important threads in my life. Twenty-five years of classical piano studies transitioned into an affinity for abstract painting. I need to find the lyricism of music in the movement and spirit of the painting. Secondly, as an Arizona native I have a deep sense of appreciation for the terrain and skies of the West. Without conscious direction, my work is often imbued with a sense of place. The process is a type of alchemy, but ultimately, my intent is to create work that invites multiple interpretations and repeated examination.

Resume

Education

1997 MA Art History, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

1978 BS Accounting and MIS, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Solo Exhibitions

Collections

Lewis and Roca, LLC, Tucson collection
Center for Neurosciences, Tucson
Consbruck and Sanders, Architects
Administrative Offices, The University of Arizona College of Architecture
Private collections Southern Arizona, West Coast, East Coast, Canada, France

Professional Experience

Instructor, The Drawing Studio, abstract painting, 2008 to present
Adjunct Instructor, Art history, The University of Arizona and Pima College. 1997-2000. Taught undergraduate courses in medieval art, survey of Mexican art, and modern art.
Lecturer in art and art history at The Drawing Studio, various Tucson elementary schools, and arts organizations. Topics include painting, exhibition, critiques, and design.

Publications

Luxe Interiors and Design, Fall 2009, “Stylemakers”
“Conrad Wilde Gallery: Contemporary Calling”, The Desert Leaf, October 2008
Art of the 4 Corners, Spring 2008
The Tucson Weekly, “Little Art”, by Margaret Regan, June 28, 2007
"Tucson and Tubac" by David A. Fryxell, The Artist's Magazine, July/August 2007
The Arizona Wildcat, interview April 27, 2006

Grants

Rockefeller Foundation Travel Grant, 1995
The University of Arizona Columbus Quincentenary Small Grants Program, for study of Columbus sculptures in Mexico City, 1992
University of Arizona Latin American Area Center field grant for research in Mexico City archives, 1992



	Emilia Arana - Artist Statement These paintings come into being through a process of layering, destruction and rebuilding, bringing the painting surface to a requisite complexity, though hopefully maintaining an appearance of ease. It is a process of paintings abandoned, then recovered . . . over periods of weeks or years, bringing the surface into a balance that breathes resolution and completion. It is a journey of multiple intangibles, where the painter searches to find authentic expression, and to learn from the doubt that inevitably coexists. There have been two important threads in my life. Twenty-five years of classical piano studies transitioned into an affinity for abstract painting. I need to find the lyricism of music in the movement and spirit of the painting. Secondly, as an Arizona native I have a deep sense of appreciation for the terrain and skies of the West. Without conscious direction, my work is often imbued with a sense of place. The process is a type of alchemy, but ultimately, my intent is to create work that invites multiple interpretations and repeated examination. Resume Education 1997 MA Art History, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 1978 BS Accounting and MIS, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Solo Exhibitions 2010 Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, “Poetics” 2008 Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, “Lyrical Abstraction” 2007 Hilltop Gallery, Nogales, “The Colors of Home” 2006 Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, “Abstract Paintings: The Underlying Music” 2005 Artist of the Month Gallery, Tucson, “Sources and Sounds” 2005 Tucson Pima Public Library, “Rhythmscape” Group Exhibitions 2009 Conrad Wilde Gallery, Per Square Foot 2009 Davis Dominguez Gallery, Tucson, Small Works Invitational 2009 The Drawing Studio Faculty Exhibition, 2008 Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, “Momentum and Melody” 2008 Faculty Exhibit, The Drawing Studio 2007 Davis Dominguez Gallery, Tucson, Small Works Invitational 2007 Hilltop Gallery, Nogales 2007 Conrad Wilde Gallery 2006 Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild Annual Show 2005 Tucson Jewish Community Center 2005 410 Gallery, Tucson 2005, 2006 Contents Interiors, Tucson 2004, 2005 Tubac Center for the Arts 2004 Eller School of Business at The University of Arizona Collections Lewis and Roca, LLC, Tucson collection Center for Neurosciences, Tucson Consbruck and Sanders, Architects Administrative Offices, The University of Arizona College of Architecture Private collections Southern Arizona, West Coast, East Coast, Canada, France Professional Experience Instructor, The Drawing Studio, abstract painting, 2008 to present Adjunct Instructor, Art history, The University of Arizona and Pima College. 1997-2000. Taught undergraduate courses in medieval art, survey of Mexican art, and modern art. Lecturer in art and art history at The Drawing Studio, various Tucson elementary schools, and arts organizations. Topics include painting, exhibition, critiques, and design. Publications Luxe Interiors and Design, Fall 2009, “Stylemakers” “Conrad Wilde Gallery: Contemporary Calling”, The Desert Leaf, October 2008 Art of the 4 Corners, Spring 2008 The Tucson Weekly, “Little Art”, by Margaret Regan, June 28, 2007 "Tucson and Tubac" by David A. Fryxell, The Artist's Magazine, July/August 2007 The Arizona Wildcat, interview April 27, 2006 Grants Rockefeller Foundation Travel Grant, 1995 The University of Arizona Columbus Quincentenary Small Grants Program, for study of Columbus sculptures in Mexico City, 1992 University of Arizona Latin American Area Center field grant for research in Mexico City archives, 1992





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