Bianca Lago
What is your favorite art medium to work in, and why?
My favorite medium to work in is oil paints. There is something so satisfying in the vibrancy of the colors, the opacity of a good quality oil, the blend-ability and the dry time. Aside from the technical aspects that I enjoy I also feel this connection to the past and future when I work in oils. Being archivable and the paint of the Renaissance era I feel a connection to this pivotal movement in art history while knowing the paint's integrity can stand the test of time and last well into the future.
When did you first figure out that art was important to you?
There are so many moments that I can think of. After watching some old home movies this past week I saw a video of me at two-years old asking my uncle if I could draw. I remember art classes being very important to me in middle school when I was having a difficult time fitting in. I was also helping my mom paint murals in middle school which led me to being a full-blown photographer and abstract painter in high school. After that I was hooked and have dedicated most of my time to learning technique and developing my skill and style.
Who is your art mentor?
I have been lucky to have had several artists I worked closely with while I was studying at Humboldt State. Sondra Schwetman, my sculpture professor during undergrad, has been such a big part of my growth and development as an artist. She invited me to go to New York in 2017 to participate in the Women's Caucus for Art and am now the Chair for the Young Women's Caucus because of it and have been exposed to even more inspiring women in the arts. In 2016 I began working for one of the top 100 hyper-realist painters in the country, Cheryl Kelley, and look up to her abilities and dedication to her craft. I could list so many more artists that I look up to so quickly: Gina Tuzzi, Teresa Stanley, Julia White, and many many more.
Finish this sentence: My art is my...
Voice. My art is the way I communicate best. My art is how I process information, how I like to connect with people and a tool for discussing difficult topics. My art is my entire world. It has been the one constant in my life and what I spend most of my time thinking about.
What advice would you offer someone just beginning their exploration of their own artistic self?
Try everything! Be curious and experiment with as many processes and materials as you can. Copy works from artists that you admire and do something every day! Even if you only have time for a quick 5 minute sketch, make art daily.
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