Isabel’s Artist Statement & Bio

    I work as a multidisciplinary artist who creates designs through graphic design, charcoal drawing, painting, and print-based media. My work involves using both digital and traditional methods to create designs that feature typography and expressive mark making and multiple visual layers. My artistic creations display two distinct styles, they include vibrant graphic designs and they also contain high-contrast charcoal drawings which showcase both texture and shadow and emotional elements. However my portfolio includes different styles. The various methods used in my work all connect through one central theme which explores how designers and artists can use their work to show emotions.

Artists and designers who create work which expresses their ideas and emotions through their artistic creations strongly influence my artistic development. I find myself drawn to images that express strong feelings because I am attracted to both the unrefined textured appearance of charcoal and the visually striking designs of graphic design. I create my work through my understanding that design functions as a practical tool which people can use to create their own personal expressions. Designers use typography, layout, and color to express both their identity and their emotional state. At the same time, my interest in drawing allows me to explore a more intimate and instinctive side of my creativity.

I create this artwork because I find excitement in the task of turning my inner thoughts into visual representations. I want to know if artistic expression succeeds at delivering messages that people struggle to express verbally. A problem I see in my current practice is that it can feel scattered, and I am actively working toward building a stronger sense of cohesion through consistent themes and emotional depth.

My process varies depending on the medium, but it often involves experimentation and layering. In my charcoal drawings I use contrast and smudging to create intense visual effects through various texture techniques. My graphic design work uses composition and typography and color elements to develop visually striking designs that attract viewer interest. My artistic process needs to show process traces which include marks and erasures and imperfections because these traces bring unique character and historical depth to my artwork. 

Ultimately, I want my audience to feel something immediate and genuine when they see my work. Whether that feeling is discomfort, curiosity, or connection, I want the work to leave an impression. My goal is to continue developing a visual language that merges design and emotion, creating work that is not only visually engaging but also deeply personal and expressive.

Bio:

Isabel Salas is a multidisciplinary artist based in Jersey who was born in Cali, Colombia. She started to seriously pursue art while she was in college but initially she was influenced at a very young age by the drawings her father would send her while he was incarcerated. Her work incorporates various aspects of art, such as graphic design, charcoal drawings, paintings, and printmaking. Her work combines bold and raw images. Her primary focus is on identity, memory, and emotions. Salas has designed business logos for various small businesses and has sold her work on her own.