Interview: Aunia Kahn, multimedia

About a month ago we highlighted a wonderful artist named Aunia Kahn and recently she was kind enough to give us this interview:

1 ) Tell us about yourself:

I was born and raised in Detroit MI, but now reside in Illinois with my four rescue dogs and two rescue cats in a little house on a hill. I am an exhibiting mixed media artist, web and graphic designer, and a creative reality manipulator and dream catcher if you will. I adore working on group projects, and helping other artists. I am a full-time student studying Psychology, and have never had any formal art training.

2 ) Tell us a bit about your artwork:

My artwork was originally self-therapy through recovery of child abuse. As I grew past that time in my life to reflect on the past and confront the many demons I held deep, my work has grown as I have and my attention is more in the present with my new work. Although the focus has changed it has kept the beautifully cathartic aspect that I am continually drawn to. My work contains an exuberant amount of symbolism, and tiny intimate details that are lost with a quick glance or when viewed small on the Internet. Each piece I create is personal and reflective – the process has helped me gain insight and stability in myself.

3 ) What are your tools of the trade, including hardware and software:

Nikon
IMac
Tablet
Photoshop
Acrylic Paint
Puppy Love

4 ) How long have you been an artist and what, if any, hurdles did you have to overcome in the process?

As many would say, I was born an artist. In the words of Pablo Picasso “All children are born artists. The problem is to remain artists as we grow up”. I find this to be very true. Becoming a successful artist is another story; this is where the hurdles present themselves. Overall, we all bear our souls through our work no matter if the notion is prevalent or obscure. We are selling ourselves, which is a lot different then selling any other product on the market today. When selling appliances, you can look at the appliance objectively. When looking at yourself as an artist and evaluating the artwork you create, it is virtually impossible to be objective.

This field also involves public sharing as a form of entertainment (Exp: Film, Music, Etc.) one needs to work to stay humble, thankful and a real person. I truly believe at first art is typically forged through the heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears, but making sure it doesn’t become about money, numbers, attention, or selling out – is the key. Being a successful artist has corrupted people, I’ve seen artists lose their focus and suddenly become what they least wanted to be.

5 ) Where do you find your creativity and inspiration?

I am inspired by life and what is happening around me and inside me. Also by music and reading, I read all the time and can’t go very long without sound to entertain my brain. Their creativity, as many people recognize, have a great deal of motivation housed within the work and love to explore their energy.

6 ) Who are your favorite artists and why?

Children are most certainly my favorite artists in the world. They are raw, real and looking back Picasso was right, they are all artists. I also adore Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Anne Sexton, Etc.

7 ) Which piece of your art stands out as a favorite and why?

Today I feel it’s “Exit Ghost”, but tomorrow that will change. While I was framing it today, something else hit me about it that helped me reflect more about my life.

8 ) Tell us about your artistic process from creation to completion:

Sometimes I just go with an idea in my head, other times I will sketch ideas on paper and work from there. I have a random sketchbook I keep with me, so when I get ideas I can jot them down. I don’t have a consistent process each time I work, although a constant in my studio is food and music. I am always eating something.

9 ) If you could have your art displayed anywhere, where would it be and why?

I would love to share my work in a place where women and men change their lives through reflection of my work and assists them in working on themselves. So if that is at a gallery, a store or someone’s living room that is the best place for it to be displayed, and it would make me most happy. It’s not about the place; it’s about the effect the placement of the art has.

10 ) If you could escape into any one fantasy world what would it be and why?

I would love to live in the Victorian Era and be successful woman artist, since basically that was something unheard of.

11 ) Tell us about any upcoming projects you have planned:

First off I am excited for the release of my Silver Era Tarot deck that will be released Spring 2010 by Schiffer Publishing. The deck consists of 78 original artworks that take on the tradition meaning of tarot, and is a fully function tarot deck with a companion book written by Author Russell. J. Moon.

Obvious Remote Chaos, my poetry, lyrics and short story book that is illustrated with my photography is currently at the publisher being laid out for a late 2009 or early 2010 release as well.

Currently I am in the depths of working on the Lowbrow Tarot Project. The project will showcase 23 amazing artists who will use their creative genius and unique style to take on a tarot deck, tabletop book and exhibition, which will be released at the events opening on October 9, 2010 at Billy Shire Fine Arts. We also have a website with more information and an artist at www.lowbrowtarot.com.

Finally, I am also working on 3 other books that I can’t share yet, an oracle deck, and another full 78-card tarot deck. There are a plethora of other things too in various phases since I just can’t not be doing –  something.

12 ) Where can people find you, website etc?

Art (www.auniakahn.com)
Graphic & Web Design (www.auniakahndesign.com)
All Things AK: (www.findkahn.com)

13 ) Anything else you want people to know about you?

Just that I am super elated to be doing what I love and I want to thank everyone for the support. I appreciate every comment, email, teary eye, smile and everything in between.

Thank you Aunia for finding time to do this interview!