Through her surrealistic work, mixed media artist Cassie Tumlinson welcomes you to step into her dream world. Do so at the San Francisco RAW launch showcase on Thursday, August 19th at the Minna Gallery!

Tell us about yourself.
I was born in California but was raised in the town of Sedona, AZ. I grew up in a large family of artists and musicians and was classically trained in drawing and painting at Arizona State University. After graduation, I moved to central Europe where I spent alot of traveling and viewing the best of the world's artwork. Now, I work in private sales and commissions in the Bay Area.  

How did you get started making art?
I got started making art during high school and selling art at high school art shows. After high school, I was invited to join a local gallery where I sold paintings of birds. 

How would you describe your aesthetic?
In college I decided to specialize in drawing and painting the human form and since then I have been focusing on combining the human form in surrealistic settings. I am a surrealist, so I love creating a dreamlike setting for my viewer. In my paintings, I try to put the viewer into a world that seems real but isn't. I paint almost life-size work so that my viewer can literally feel as though they can step into my dream world.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
I draw inspiration from nature, the human form and emotions. I like to incorporate both natural organic forms as well as industrial man made objects together in a painting to create interest. 

Medium of choice?
Lately I have been painting with oils, however, I use anything from watercolor to pastel to cut paper to express myself and to create textural interest. I like to mix media to create an idea. Sometimes, I juxtapose hard lines of cut paper with the soft fluid edges of watercolor to create an emotion in a painting.

Are there any artists or art movements, past or present, that greatly influence and inform your work?  
I would say, that the Pre-Raphaelites movement definitely influences my figurative work in combination with works from the collage arts of Brock. I also draw inspiration from paintings like Rousseau's "The Dream" and works by Georgia O'Keefe. 

Any past accomplishments, collaborations, projects that you are most proud of?
I am very proud of being able to show in many galleries and to be a part of many local shows. My aspirations for the future are to be recognized as a contemporary surrealist and open my own gallery.

Why showcase with RAW?
Being able to showcase at RAW is a great opportunity for many artists because it showcases upcoming artists and gives them all kinds of opportunities to promote themselves.

Outside of making art, how do you enjoy spending your free time?
Outside of painting, I enjoy I love to play music, travel and enjoy the outdoors.