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Andrea's work can be seen at: https://artventures-nwa.org/collections/andrea-carrillo How would you describe your style? I think a good word to describe my work is lighthearted. I try bringing joy to people with my pieces if I'm given the chance, maybe to remind them of an old feeling they have not thought about in a while. As for style, I would say I like to use lots of bright, warm colors. I try not to blend my highlights and shadows too much, I enjoy the painterly feel of blocky shapes. To create those I typically use square brushes, or any sort of chunky material with a sharp edge. I'm still searching for a visual language that is unique to me, as well as quickly identifiable as my own. Artists take years finding and perfecting their style, so I can only continue experimenting. Tell us about your beginnings in art. Who were your teachers and influences? As I mentioned, my mom is an artist as well. I grew up around the smell of oil paint and turpenoid. She painted things she liked, so I started drawing things I liked too, usually people. My mom was always impressed and excited about my drawings; I'm not sure if I would have taken the path I did without her immense knowledge and encouragement. I've always been lucky enough to be surrounded with people who support me, my friends and family were happy to see me do what made me happy. I think it is also important to mention my high school art teacher as well, Mr. Beyer. He saw potential in my work and pushed me to go further, pursuing art professionally. Weirdly enough I ended up in his class due to a scheduling error, one that ended up winning me a few art prizes and a big scholarship for college. How did you connect with Art Ventures? Art Ventures heard about my work through my mom. She's a represented artist herself, one who never stops showing off her daughter's work I suppose. Sharon (Killian) at Art Ventures saw potential in my work as well, and invited me to do a show for the gallery. Extremely exciting news! The work that I've displayed for ArtVentures and at the Chamber is work I did during my freshman year of college, for a portraiture workshop. What does the future hold? I'm hoping to keep working on my craft as I get farther along in school and eventually graduate. I am very grateful that other people find value in what I make, I am lucky to have found support for something that I enjoy doing unprompted. The only way to get better is to practice, so that is what I am doing. Creating something every single day—no matter how small. As an illustration major, my job opportunities are very diverse; though I would love to become a concept artist someday, maybe work on a game or a movie. I am also interested in book illustration, especially for children's literature. There are so many different positions in the field that I am unable to choose, I only know that if they involve me painting and drawing I will be happy to work. 11 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

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