Today we’d like to introduce you to Neyla Heller.
Hi Neyla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I’m a local artist that graduated high school in May of this year, no plan to go to college, or any other plans to be honest. I always knew I wanted to make art and if I could figure out how to do that I would be living a life I wanted to live. I have not always (maybe never) been sure of my next steps especially as someone who is forging a path outside of what everyone expected me to do. However, I have always been sure of one thing, I would do it my way. I found and rented a studio on my own, found a job around art, and began the journey into finding myself as an artist and a person. The greatest accomplishment of my life is having faith in myself and my ability to make art that mattered.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While I am blessed in many aspects in my life thus far, it has not been a smooth road. I would say more often than not I am my own biggest obstacle. I have struggles with my mental health, I go through periods of time where my brain is fuzzy and my heart is like a void. It has affected my sense of self for years. In these states of mind, I find myself unable to create, or even take care of myself. I learned to turn to my work to gain a clear and fresh state of mind. Giving me the chance to explore what it means to be gender non-conforming and learn about who I am as a person as well as an artist. Through my art I am free to explore the complexities of my identity despite the haziness my emotional state may cause.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My defining artistic features are vibrant color palettes and obscure shapes and imagery. I paint layers upon layers on each canvas, sometimes each layer is clearly visible through leftover textures or use of a wash to ensure the previous layer is seen so that my creative process can be clearly viewed. I would describe my art as self portraits that hover just outside of reality. Instead of a clear image of my face or belongings, I utilize abstract shapes and words and bodies with my piercings and key features but with (for example) a flower head.
I have recently been working on a series entirely based in my identity as a queer person and those in my community that inspire me. To me, being gender non-conforming means my life is a constant cycle of understanding who I am in the world. Consistently throwing away old ideas of myself that were put on me through the lens of others. I use my connections to the earth to grow my new self-image and acceptance for who I am. Finding my identity and understanding my human experience fuels my creation.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
There is nothing in this world more powerful than a human being who believes in themself and is inspired by life, good and bad. I wouldn’t be anywhere if I allowed self-doubt to consume my existence. The longer I live the more I’m grateful to be who I am. Being genderqueer was so frightening but is now my greatest gift. My mental illness is hindering but allows my experience with emotion to be as deep as the sea. I’m still evolving and learning and I hope my journey of self-discovery is felt through my art and inspires others to be who they are with no hesitation.
Contact Info:
- Email: neyla.heller@gmail.com
- Instagram: @graphic.intent
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GraphicIntent
