Featured Artist Diana de Avila

A twist of fate enabled artist Diana de Avila to push the technological envelope and express a unique artistic voice. See her website to learn more about her journey.

 

 

My story is almost as unique as the digital expressionistic fractal art I create. I am an artistic savant (one of 350 registered in the world). My artistic expression often leaves me feeling a deep sense of awe and gratitude for an amazing gift that emerged from the most unlikely of circumstances.

 

 

My artistic ability came suddenly and dramatically in 2017, after a relapse from Multiple Sclerosis and worsening traumatic brain injury. I had a TBI from a motorcycle accident that happened while I was in the Army in 1984. My helmet cracked in half and I was unconscious for a while. I have retrograde amnesia and do not remember some of the years prior to my accident.

 

 

It’s very strange. Lose one thing, gain another.

 

 

Along with Sudden Acquired Savant Syndrome, I also have synesthesia. Colors have distinct shapes and I tend to see my digital art as 3D and in layers.

 

 

Since my art came so suddenly to me, I moved through several transitional periods as I worked fervently to discover my artistic voice. I use a series of various applications and processes to create unique pieces that have always utilized experimental methods.

 

 

Just as physical materials are mixed and used in novel ways to create unique works of art, I use digital methods and assets to create my unique works. I am always looking to push the technological envelope and continue to learn more processes and applications as I go.

 

 

The art and visual ideas flow constantly and it’s difficult to turn them off at times. Some of my current art uses hundreds of thousands of Bezier curves and primitive shapes to create photorealistic pieces. I love the mind-blowing complexity hidden behind an already complex fractal.

 

 

Art is a very spiritual journey for me. My “awakening” felt like coming back from a near death experience. I feel a similar fervor to share my art and story.

 

 

Strangely, I can do this all without inhibition. That’s part of the gift because it certainly is not a normal attribute for me! It’s as if inhibition has been torn away and replaced with courage and otherworldly skills that emanate from somewhere outside me – or deep within my subconscious.

 

 

Illness and trauma gave birth to something in me I never could have imagined. My desire is to share my art and positivity and to encourage people to discover their own islands of creative genius. Just as it has saved and provided so much healing to me, I think art can save many others too.

 

Artist Diana de Avila invites you to follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

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