Art by Kaila Chavez
Written by Dani Ramirez
Art by Kaila Chavez
This week’s artist highlight puts the spotlight on Kaila Chavez, fourth year Studio Arts major and Chicana minor. Chavez stated that she has always been interested in art ever since she could remember. When it came to art activities in elementary school, she said she would always join in, even at her grandma’s house, she would always be the one doing arts and crafts with her. “Growing up,” she said. “I’ve noticed a creative spark in most of my family members, so I feel blessed to have the same passion and take it with me into the future and career.”
As she started growing alongside her art, one of her main inspirations was growing up in the San Fernando Valley and seeing the murals with historical and inspirational figures, as well as other murals. Chavez felt that these murals could connect to anybody. “I want to take that part of me into my future, to give back to my community and connect with them.” she exclaimed. She told me about another passion of hers: nature. Chavez mentioned her love for anything to do with nature, such as bringing awareness to nature and its conservation. She said she wants people to perceive her art as shining a light on the parts of nature that are often dismissed. Another inspiration of Chavez is movies, “I love props, CGI, the crafting that goes behind movies and how every unique scene in a movie adds to the whole story,” she said.
Art by Kaila Chavez
The mediums Chavez has been focusing the most on in this part of her artistic career is painting in acrylic, and screenprinting and relief printmaking. “I love how clean my art can look when I do screenprinting,” she said. Going back to her inspirations, she mentioned how she likes tying her work into nature, “Right now, when I paint, I focus on the patterns and diversity of nature, they have so many colors and patterns that go together.” When viewing Chavez’s art, you may notice these patterns through her brushstrokes and the array of colors used in her palettes. When asked about her plans for the future, she mentioned how she wants to go more in-depth with her artwork and use it later in life to aid research so that her art can help others learn. She said, “I truly believe nature is the first form of art and is what drives my passion.”
Once she graduates from CI, Chavez hopes to become a studio arts professor, teaching students and guiding her students to where their future can take them in the art world. She stated that she had been inspired by the studio arts professors here, “They have taught me a lot and inspired me in many ways I hadn’t thought were possible. They really push me to go further, and it has inspired me to do the same in the future.”
When asked what art means to her, Chavez said, “Art should be studied, and art should be something that you live for.” She emphasizes that there is creativity in everyone, whether that is studio art, dance, music, architecture, or fashion; and stated, “Art should never stay in the shadows, but shine when and if always possible.” To view more of her art you can check them out @kailas_artchronicles
Art by Kaila Chavez
