Marisa Aragón Ware

I recently had a piece in a group show called "Woodland" at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco. The deadline for the show fell right around finals for me at the Academy of Art, so for time's sake I decided to rework a piece I had just finished for one of my illustration classes. The requirements for the show was that the piece be 10x10 inches on a wood panel. Artists were encouraged to emphasize the wood grain pattern and to depict forest creatures, trees, or anything else woodland inspired. I felt that my illustration, with horse skeletons, a snake, a ram skull, foliage and flowers would fit that theme perfectly. 

the original illustration...

the piece for "Woodland"...

I'd like to thank the amazing artist Nathan Spoor for his help in coaching me through completing my first gallery piece. He's been an incredible resource during my shift onto the artistic path. 

other pieces from "Woodland"

The show was in conjunction with artist Laura Buss' solo show, "Bundles."Part artistic endeavor and part archaeological investigation, "Bundles" peels back layers of time and earth to discover the remains of humans and cultures that have come before. Artifacts lie alongside animals and bodies, mystery entwines with the stark reality of death, and beauty is delicately drawn from the harrowing effects of decay. I had the pleasure of interviewing Laura about her work for Hi-Fructose- here's an excerpt: 

Your work has an almost magical appeal to it, calling back to times where ritual, nature, cycles, and the rawness of life and death were all a much bigger part of the daily human experience. Do you feel like your work allows you access and intimacy with these components of life that are mostly lacking in our modern society?

I do feel that, in the same way that any great experience with a moving piece of artwork can allow you to feel a deeper penetration into the magic of an inner life we think we have lost. I think for everyone this is a slightly different magic, but for me nature is key, with death and decay crucial components. Anyone who has spent a lot of time in the wilderness--inspecting the forest floor and climbing on trees--is familiar with decay and the amazing regenerative richness it brings. Death is a huge part of that. It is an experience we will all universally share, but also a mystery which none of us can really know. And while dying itself can be tragic or sad, the shell we leave behind is just that; how human culture adorns and lays it to rest is another magic in and of itself.

Read the rest of the interview here.