Photo: Luke Adams

For Arielle Austin, painting is worth more than a thousand words. Abstracts serve as self-expression and spiritual healing for the Austin-based artist, who discovered the art form as a means of therapy. She uses pastels and charcoal to make intentional marks, while acrylic paint provides an ease of manipulation and ability to speak to a range of emotions. In the same vein, Austin hopes her paintings will give space for the viewer to meditate and find their own reclamation of voice.

Photo: Courtesy Arielle Austin

What inspired your current style? I’ve found that abstraction gives me the space and freedom to be playful and curious and express the complexities of my thoughts.

What are you passionate about right now? I’m inspired by the collage process. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with layering and combining mixed media, textiles and paint, exploring ways to incorporate them into my abstractions.

What would you like viewers to take away from your work? A new perspective—of the world around them and of themselves. A sense of courage and peace, and a sense of confrontation laced with grace and comfort.