CONGRATULATIONS IACA CYCLE #14
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENT, MIRVIA SOL ECKERT!
Click here to learn about Cycle #14 nonprofit mini-grant winner, DragonFLY.
Website: www.mirviadesigns.com
Congratulations to Mirvia Sol Eckert on a successful grant application!
The following are excerpts of Eckert's application:
If I had to choose the fundamental concept that unifies all of my work, I think it would simply be celebrating beauty. In all of my work, I want the viewer to acknowledge and appreciate the beauty in my subjects. There is beauty in small moments of observation, in embracing our different cultural backgrounds, in the close up details of nature, and even in moments of emotional turmoil and sorrow. Though it isn’t always easy, I choose, in my daily life, to focus on what is beautiful, and I hope that by sharing this perspective through my paintings, others may be inspired to do the same.
Many aspects of my life find their way into my paintings: my Puerto Rican heritage, spirituality, love of family and friends, and fascination with nature. These ideas can manifest themselves in bright, vibrantly colored compositions, or in dramatic grayscale pieces. But they are all connected by a visual style with roots in my earlier career as a graphic designer.
I use crisp lines and clearly defined shapes of color to depict forms that are mostly expressionistic. However, in some of my pieces I enjoy illustrating subjects in a more impressionistic style while bringing out qualities of the image that are more subjective or symbolic. For instance, I have works that show dramatic portraits of a person’s face wherein the whimsical swirls and flowing waves of their hair are prominently featured.
Acrylic paint is my preferred medium and I use recycled canvases when available. I make time to brush up on skills that help me continue to progress in my art journey, such as taking tutorials on anatomy. I'm very passionate about art and I mentor and support artists when I can as well as donating my art to different fundraisers and causes that I believe in.
I will be using [this grant award] to scan my art at Heartland Printworks, Indianapolis. It's essential to have scans when submitting to exhibitions.
You may be the next grant winner! Click here to apply.
There is no specific type of artist that we focus on or primarily support. Creative expression comes in a wide variety of artistic disciplines and genres. We are looking for passion and excellence in your craft. Tell us why your work is important to you and how you hope it will impact others.
© Mirvia Sol Eckert
Where Eagles Soar (Isaiah 40:31)
"TRIUMPH ABOVE DARKNESS"
(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)
24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
"I do my best to bring my feelings to life through my paintings. This piece holds a lot of emotions for me. I was not in a good place at the time and felt compelled to show it on canvas. All these emotions together give birth to this chaos we call life. And as they say “life is not easy, but it’s worth it”.
My painting is about empathy, hope, love, and inner strength overpowering the darkness I was seeing in the world and experiencing within. Though it may appear bleak, it truly is a
hopeful painting.
I enjoy putting hidden images or symbols throughout my paintings. You never know what you will find. I hope this piece evokes feelings in those who view it, even if the emotions are different than those that inspired me to create it."
"INNER FIRE, I AM TAINA"
(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)
24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
"The indigenous Tainos of Puerto Rico were friendly, kind and humble. In my painting I wanted to show a fighting spirit, a nobility within her, and resilient strength. I believe their unbreakable spirit can still be seen today."
"CLOTHED IN STRENGTH AND GRACE"
(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)
36″ w x 36″ h
Acrylic on canvas
"For me, she embodies African American women and the richness of their story. I focused on illustrating the strength, courage, and grace that I’ve witnessed in my friends and in leaders at the local and national levels. The background hints at their ancestral history."
To see more of Eckert's wonderful work, visit her website at www.mirviadesigns.com
"LOOKING WITHIN"
(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)
24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
"What a fascinating woman Frida Kahlo was. A passionate, strong, tenacious, and talented woman who fought for the things she loved. I cant imagine the physical pain she was in after the accident, nor the emotional pain of the turbulent relationship with her husband, Diego Rivera.
Frida is normally shown with her hair up. In this piece, her hair is down to show a wildness about her. She was a real life, free spirit. I painted her with eyes closed as she looks within herself, to her soul, to her strength."
