Ariana Vaeth

My paintings center my friends, family, lovers and the self portrait. They focus on bounty, clutter, and the lingering remnants of connection.

I am surrounded by a diverse community of individuals who have their own, unique relationship with their image. My priority is to honor that relationship and their boundaries. To do so, I work from a variety of references including drawing studies, photographs, imagination, and the self portrait to construct a space that caters to their needs and reveals only what they feel comfortable sharing.

Through painting I contemplate equity. The distinctiveness of the portrayed homes reinforces the identity of my subjects and leaves clues for when the portrait does not suffice. It is my responsibility to make a place that supports my community and honors and respects their parameters. The viscosity of oil-based mediums offers an openness that lingers on the surface, making these people and their spaces tangible, while still offering an opportunity for change.