What direction is your work currently heading in? / Where do you want it to go?
My art is currently exploring how to create and portray those who are close to me with realistic stippling, abstract design work and symbolism. I want to continue on creating designs and learning what they can mean for my subjects and audience. I will probably make more of my friends and family members and/or work with the same friends and family members to create different focuses. People have multiple interests and sides so there are still plenty of pieces I can make. I may even try to do commissions.
What other artists or things (music, performances, family, friends, etc…) influence your work?
There are the noticeable influences as well as the more hidden influences in my artwork. My friends and family have impacted me which can be seen in my subjects while music, films and shows have been the unseen inspirational motivators. I love to listen to music or show while creating. I feel more productive when I am doing more than one thing. Shows or movies heavy on witty and/funny dialogue keep me awake and focused. From cartoon shows like Justice League to darker shows like Supernatural, Misfits and Breaking Bad to funny sitcoms like How I Met Your Mother, my range of shows is varied as long as they are heavy on dialogue and interesting. Then there is music with its lyrics and meaningful words that inspire me to create. For a lot of my works recently, I listen to a lot of Ed Sheeran, Gabrielle Aplin, Ellie Goulding and more. For all these secondary influences that are ever changing, I still get an art piece that is still influenced by the person that it’s based off of.
Is there a technique or medium that you haven’t tried but want to?
I was talking to a lady that works at Miller’s Art Supply store in Pittsfield, MA and she suggested this technique of dot-making that I’d really like to try which. This technique makes physical indents of the dots into the paper and allows the art piece to be hidden unless the viewer really looks at the paper. The idea of this hidden message and design work would add another unique element to my creations.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on moving back in with my parents temporarily and working part time to pay off my college bills while establishing myself as an artist back in my hometown. Back home, I work at an Art Museum as a gallery attendant so I will stay in touch with the visual art form and other artists there. I will keep in touch with the connections I’ve made here in North Adams and the Berkshires and probably try to get my own exhibit in one of the Berkshire Galleries since I really like this area and the people involved in it.
Do you plan on being a fulltime artist or do you plan on having a separate career along side of your artistic practices?
My plan at first is to have a side job and establish myself as an artist. I don’t think I will be known quickly so I want to work my way up little by little. Ideally, I would love to run a small business centered on my art or crafts made by others. Maybe even collaborating with another artist or artists to create a small business would be great. If not then I will still aim for being an artist as my career with side jobs to help me support it.
See more about Aria here as well as ariahatfield.weebly.com. And be sure to check out her work in Elemental Connections: MCLA’s Senior Art Show!
Opening reception Thursday April 24th from 5pm to 7pm. Elemental Connections runs through May 25th at MCLA Gallery 51, open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Gallery at 413-664-8718, or go to www.mcla.edu/gallery51.
Elemental Connections 