A newcomer to Southern California, artist Arlissa Vaughn, discusses her intricate painting process. View her work live in Orange County at the next RAW showcase at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach on Thursday, June 17th! 

When would you say your relationship with art began?
I suppose I've been in love with color and creating from the time I was old enough to hold a crayon and scribble. Since then, my art has matured much, and I hold a BFA degree. 

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Plants, animals, bodies of water, personal experiences, and a relationship with God never cease to bring me inspiration for my artwork.

What do you love most about what you do?
I love layering colors and am constantly amazed at the complexity of even small variances in hue and tone.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art?
Dance—especially ballet, modern, and ballroom—often excite my mind and spur new creativity. But, usually, I just enjoy them for what they are and can't make a direct correlation to inspiration for my work.

From start to finish, explain your process; what does a typical art-making day look like for you?
Because of the intricate layering of colors that takes place in my work, it often takes many days to complete a piece. First, I begin with paper or a stretched gesso-ed canvas. Sometimes, I may have drawn images onto these with ink and marker, other times I start blank. Then, I pour layers of watered acrylic paint, topped with a sheet of plastic wrap loosely gathered across the surface. By allowing the wet paint to dry slowly under the plastic, organic textures are created which won't be fully known until the paint has completely dried and the plastic is removed. From there I may add more layers, develop the first layer more deeply, add painted or drawn imagery, apply some mixed media, or digitally capture the texture for use in digital media.

What sort of techniques do you most like working with? 
I definitely enjoy the watercolor-like activity of watered-down acrylic paint. The plastic wrap technique is a favorite, and so are mixed media techniques. I often blend digital processes with these to achieve even more dynamic pieces.

Medium of choice?
Acrylic, plastic wrap, Nikon digital camera, wide angle lens, Photoshop, and occasionally encaustic paint.

Are there any artists or art movements that strongly inform and influence your work? 
Paul Klee, Frida Kahlo, Robert Delauney

Are there any specific reoccurring themes or subjects that you explore and deal with most in your work?
Human destiny, differences and similarities of sacred vs. secular, seasons and trials of life.

Favorite thing to do outside of making art?
Travel! As the artist Egon Schiele said, "I must see new things and investigate them." 

Any current rising stars within the genre that you would recommend we look out for?
Mare Vaccaro, Amy Gross, Paul Marquardt, Zoe Dockery, Troy Gua

Why showcase at RAW? 
I recently moved to Huntington Beach, CA from Greenville, NC, so I'd like to get introduced to the SoCal art scene!