LOOK AT THESE WOMEN ARTISTS … AND THEIR CREATIVE PROCESS!

Charlotte SHOUT!, a 17-day arts festival taking over uptown Charlotte from March 31 to April 16, is just over two weeks away. And, we’ve loved watching participating artists post their process videos on social media as they create their projects for the event.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to “SHOUT!-out” a few of these process videos of work by the women artists in our community. 

Below are five women artists who have been diligently working and posting about the progress on the work they’re creating for SHOUT!  We’re excited about them … and think you will be, too.

In addition to a short description of each artist, we’re also sharing an artist statement on each work. An artist’s statement is a short description of a work of art written by the artist(s) expressing their thoughts on what inspired them and what they hope audiences will experience through it. 

EASTER EGGS ON PARADE

Last year, SHOUT! commissioned 12 local artists to paint giant eggs for Easter Eggs on Parade in Romare Bearden Park. Created by a different set of local creatives, the eggs are back and will be scattered throughout Romare Bearden Park as they were in 2022. Below are insights from three of the artists involved.

LIZ CISNEROS

• Instagram: @astratta_bella
• Title of Work: Ryoko Spark

Liz Cisneros is a full-time artist and part-time social media specialist and administrative assistant for a children’s art studio. Cisneros is a mixed-media artist and content creator with experience in painting, sculpture and video editing. She has been in the Charlotte area for eight years and wants to inspire young students, especially girls, to be creative.

ARTIST DESCRIPTION:

Ryoko Spark is inspired by a Japanese dragon. There are different meanings depending on Kanji. [Editor’s Note: Kanji are logographic characters used in one of the written languages of Japan. Kanji are adapted from Chinese characters.] The ryoko dragon means “A woman who is like a dragon” and the name “ryoko” means “excellent child.” Both meanings tied in perfectly with this art installation. 

Fabricating each scale using textured wall panels, spray acrylics and other materials to create a beautiful dragon egg.”

WATCH HER PROCESS VIDEO HERE.

JODI LYNN MCNEELY

• Instagram: @jodi_lynn_pottery
• Website: jodilynnpottery.com
• Title of Work: Journey Connections

Jodi Lynn McNeely is a full-time artist who uses clay as her preferred medium. She has recently been using highwater speckled brownstone — which is full of small particles (grog) to help with sculpting. She combines this process with upcycling and is currently experimenting on tables and wall pieces with resin.

EGG DESCRIPTION:

“Who are you journeying through life with? Are you connected? Find yourself or someone you know in my colorful mixed-media depiction of Journey Connections.”

WATCH HER PROCESS VIDEO HERE.

MARIA NAPIER

• Instagram: @mgnapierart
• Website: mgnapierart.com
• Title of Work: Beautifully Broken

Maria Napier is a part-time artist who has been in Charlotte for 24 years. She most often works in acrylic paint and digital illustration. She also experiments with charcoal, mixed media, clay and recycled materials. 

EGG DESCRIPTION:

“By using bright colors, deconstructed figures (giving the illusion of being broken in pieces but still together as a whole) and sharp contrast, I want to remind the viewer to realize that even if ‘broken,’ we are still part of a whole.” 

“Through colorful and whimsical deconstructed illustrations, I challenge the viewer to search for emotions that might feel conflicting or foreign. Even when it’s uncomfortable to talk about, our mental health is as important as our physical health.  Even if broken, you’re still beautiful.”

WATCH HER PROCESS VIDEO HERE.

!CONs

!cons — giant exclamation points decorated by local artists and installed across Uptown — are new additions to SHOUT! 2023. Below are insights from two of the artists involved.

CLAIRE KEISTER 

• Instagram: @clairekeister_art
• Website: clairekiester.com
• Title of Work: Jar of Possibility

Claire Keister is a full-time mixed media and educator. She is a teaching artist working in fiber art, printmaking and painting. Keister is available to hire for fine art commissions, outdoor installations, murals and workshop development. 

!CON DESCRIPTION:

“The Jar of Possibility depicts a larger-than-life abstracted pickle jar that’s painted in acrylic. With this piece, I wanted to highlight the creativity I find in food and cooking ingredients. The hand-drawn and painted elements reflect qualities of food packaging and reference the process of cooking. I find that being a great artist requires an important set of skills similar to parts of a recipe. Each creative ingredient will vary and be combined in infinite delicious ways.”

WATCH HER PROCESS VIDEO HERE.

ANUJA JAIN

• Instagram: @mandalasbyanuja
• Title of Work: Created to Inspire

Anuja Jain is a full-time artist and mom woking in acrylics, puff paint and metallics. She has lived in Charlotte since 2009 and is drawn to customize any surface she encounters, including clothing, shoes, ceramics, walls and personal accessories. 

!CON DESCRIPTION:

“[Created to Inspire] displays a combination of one ancient Indian folk art form (Mandala art) with a modern twist (Zentangle art). Repetitive geometrical shapes give it a 3-D look and feel. Viewers are encouraged to touch and feel to get the work and a sense of harmony and energy flow through the shapes and colors. Look for three iconic Queen City structures hidden in the design. They glow in the dark.” 

WATCH HER PROCESS VIDEO HERE.

ABOUT SHOUT

Charlotte SHOUT!, presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America, is an aspirational multi-week festival designed to showcase our community by celebrating Charlotte’s creativity and innovation through art, music, food, and ideas. Located primarily in Uptown Charlotte, SHOUT! will feature exceptionally curated programming from around the corner and around the world. The 2023 edition of SHOUT! will take place from March 31-April 16. CLICK HERE for a calendar of events.

This special batch of The Biscuit was created in partnership with Charlotte SHOUT!