Nessie Yara, Artist of the Month at the Parkland Library (Aug 1st-31st, 2025)

Artist statement:

…Life in the tropics inspires me daily and enables me to create art that celebrates the often-overlooked little things in between. My art examines nature, spirituality, and human emotions, delving into the complexities of womanhood, family, and the simple joys of everyday life. Art serves me as a voice to celebrate love, intimacy, and interconnections, and I invite viewers to pause and reflect on our fast-paced lives. Born in Puerto Rico and a Florida resident since the 1990s, my color palette is highly influenced by the vibrant hues of the tropics. My figurative work muses on themes of harmony, serenity, and simplicity, offering a visual escape into life's treasures we often miss. In contrast, my abstract pieces delve into identity, interconnectedness, conflicting preconceptions, and the nuances of grief, healing, and self-discovery. Through figurative expressionism and intuitive layers, I aim for my brushstrokes to encourage viewers to see beyond…