Artist profile
Emmaleen
Diaz
Emmaleen Diaz has been creating art since she was eight years old. Born in Colombia and raised in Australia, her practice focuses on expressive portrait and abstract painting, often enriched with vibrant colours and bold brush strokes.
She is compelled to portray the rich and intricate life stories she sees in the human face and using the spontaneous gestural paint on the canvas to creative vibrant expressive abstract work. Diaz graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at the National Art School in Sydney (NAS).
Diaz was the inaugural artist in residence at Mental Gallery (Bowral, NSW) and has had work exhibited at the Aarwun Gallery in Canberra, Penrith Regional Gallery, Tyger Gallery Yass and Hillview Heritage Hotel. She is the 2023 scholarship creative arts winner of the Veolia Mulwree fund. Her inspirations include Wendy Sharpe, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
Career Highlights
- She is the 2023 scholarship creative arts winner of the Veolia Mulwree fund
- Graduation exhibition Nas show 2023
- Group Exhibition at Tyger gallery Yass
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
Combination of acrylic paint, spray paint and black ink on canvas. I like to layer paints and use black ink to put definition in the painting. I work very quickly and find acrylic paint easy to work with because it dries quickly and is a good medium for my style.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
I take a step by step process as it gradually builds in shape and colour. I start around the edges and work like it is a map and develop each section. I focus on making space so it works as a composition. Leaving white space on the canvas is important to make it stand out. This process guides me to know when the artwork is complete.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
I work in the 107 projects studio space with other talented creative people. I like working in a creative hub with like minded people but also having my own private space. It's a quiet space which allows me to get into my own headspace when I am painting.
