Everything’s A. Mess
My art is a creative translation of emotional and impulsive behavior. Being a thinker, I prefer when my images question our thoughts and beliefs, slightly distorting a preferred lifestyle into an unexplainable illusion. I intend to provoke uncomfortable feelings with colorful symbolism. My works are an eclectic collection of multiple genres and mediums, ranging from landscapes and murals to portraiture and still lifes. All of my techniques are self taught, focused on the use of acrylic paint and mixed media, applied with intense expressionism. When it comes to more detailed art, I tend towards graphite pencil and drawing paper, allowing me to capture a more realistic interpretation. I have a spontaneous nature to everything I create, even I'm not quite sure how it will turn out. I enjoy the progression of abstract ideas. The beginning of each piece is inspired by a feeling or specific color and evolves into an unexpected visual. I am most passionate about incorporating innovative concepts and found objects. It's also important that I display my art in its raw form, for the viewer to experience the actions and struggles of its creation. As I progress, it's only natural for me to constantly look for new ways to surpass my latest accomplishments.
Biography of A. Mess
Actively pursuing a career in art, A. Mess is recognized as a self-taught artist and creative entrepreneur with an inventive imagination. She has been practicing her craft for nearly 20 years as a painter and fashion designer, completing over 500 pieces of original works.
Living a bizarre lifestyle caused by distrust and disillusion, as well as a lowered immune system, she is often being misunderstood, interpreted as manic, paranoid or bi-polar. Most of her time is spent home alone, where she continually creates art, picking up new techniques from books and on-line tutorials. Her studies include realism, abstract, still life, landscapes, portraiture, murals, impressionism, expressionism, mixed media and surrealism. Her inspiration comes from the heartaches of life, demonstrating a very expressive personal perception. She uses art as a medium to translate her emotional instability. With a consistent curiosity fueled by an impulsive nature to learn, her unique style is always evolving and entirely influential. Each method, style and medium leads to a new collection and an extremely versatile repertoire.
She is currently focused on demonstrating the importance of sustainability, her creative growth dependent on supply donations and gathered ingredients. Recent artworks are multi dimensional. Beginning in fall of 2019, A. Mess began building custom painting surfaces from used and scrap materials. Simultaneously developing her passion for public painting, which has exposed her as an impressionist. A current en plein air collection features scenery and sunsets captured in vivid colors of acrylic paint and mixed media. Each piece of art is an intense experience, a display of satisfaction for the process and completion of the project.
The artistic path was always second to making money. In 2004, her first two pieces of art were sold from the tailgate of a roadside exhibit, earning a total of $75. Shortly after, she realized it was much more lucrative to employ her sewing skills, from alterations to vinyl upholstery. Eventually becoming an expert seamstress by 2009, working with all textiles. Although her professional background was committed to following in her mother's footsteps as a seamstress, she was easily distracted by other employment opportunities for financial security. At the age of 15, she got hired as an interior office painter on the weekends. At 16, transitioned into a summer job at a local plant nursery. Within one week of high school graduation, she worked as a janitor, cleaning condos and bathrooms, leading to self-employment as a house maid. Many other temporary positions were offered, she spent several years working retail in army surplus, shoe and handbag sales, as well as a costume shop associate.
For the year 2020, A. Mess is undertaking several new endeavors. Her latest additions of art demonstration videos, featuring the creative force behind her process, are available for viewing on Facebook and YOUTUBE. A personal artist website, AMFREQUENCY.COM, is now active with a prompt calendar for motivation and inspiration. She has also been updating her sustainable brand and Etsy store, OOBiNOGGiNUM, with new items and a future concept of charitable sales and donations. Aside from internet exposure, she is constantly looking for ways to display her art by entering art and fashion competitions and applying for art exhibits. Her mission is to be an advocate for art, therapeutically appealing to all of our senses and highlighting the importance of creativity.
Art Collections
2017 - Mixed Media - 15-piece collection, acrylic/mixed media, abstract art for the blind, three-dimensional aspects for sense of touch
2017-Present - Portraiture - 10+ piece collection, self-taught, graphite pencil portraits on drawing paper
2019 - 'Life's Seemery' - 9-piece collection, acrylic on gesso boards, scenic artworks utilizing learned techniques from Bob Ross
2019-2020 - Self-portraits - 7-piece collection, acrylic and mixed media artworks created with intense emotional abstract expression.
2019-2020 - Impressionism - 30+ piece collection, acrylic and mixed media artwork, landscape artworks, custom canvas/scrap wood builds
2019-Present - Video Episodes - 30+ art demonstration video collection on YOUTUBE and Facebook
2019-Present - Pencil Prompts - 20+ piece collection of pencil art on paper
Business Endeavors / Apprenticeship
2004-2009 - Apprentice at the Upcountry Sewing Center, Maui, Hawaii - Sewing instructor, custom couture, alterations, production sewing
2004-2010 - PantyPurse - Pop-up boutique, cocktail purses made from new panties
2008-2009 - Art Suits - swimwear collection handmade with prints of personal art on spandex
2012-2014 - Peace'd Out Designs - custom upholstery with hand-cut vinyl art appliques
2009 - Present - OOBiNOGGiNUM brand - sustainable art and fashion (scrap wood, recycled materials, remnant fabrics, bottle caps)
2020- Present - AM FREQUENCY - artist website and interactive prompt calendar
Auditions / Competitions / Fashion Shows
2003 - Art Maui, Schaefer International Gallery at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center - painting accepted for annual juried art exhibit
2004-2009 - Art Exhibit, Upcountry Sewing Center, Haiku, Hawaii - 30+ piece art display and 15 ft. wall mural
2006 - F.A.C.E. of Nu'uanu, Honolulu, Hawaii - red carpet fashion show and competition, fashion designer contestant with three garments
2007 - Bad Boys of Runway, Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California - designer contestant for fashion show and competition
2009 - Produced a Runway/Fashion Show, The Maui Mall, Kahului, Hawaii - 20 piece personal collection and four local designers
2010 -1st Place Winner - EarthFest Recycle Fashion Show, Dallas, Texas - designer contestant with two garments made of plastic
2006-2019 - Project Runway Auditions
2019 - May 20 - June 15 - The Lakewood Library Friends 55th Annual Art Show, Dallas, Texas - two abstract artworks on display
2019 - W.O.W. World of Wearable Art, New Zealand- costume entry for contest, 'Nemesis'
2019 - TP Wedding Dress Competition, New York City, New York - dress entry made of toilet paper, tape and glue
2020 - America's Got Talent - audition
2020 - State Fair of Texas -Three original paintings displayed in Virtual Gallery
Social Media