Artist-In-Residence: Ariel Parrow
Boasting streamlined compositions and bold colors, artist Ariel Parrow brings her large-scale artwork
to Assembly.
Welcome to The Assembly Journal. Each month, we celebrate the artist-in-residence by taking you on an editorial journey through their craft and process. For this installment, we sit down with our June artist-in-residence, Ariel Parrow.
American artist Ariel Parrow is one you should have on your radar. Her large-scale paintings and mural work favor bold colors focused on punchy and playful subjects. Ariel's creative process is the perfect balance of risk-taking and mark-making. "I do a lot of large scale paintings in which I've incorporated typographic elements."
When Ariel first began her art career, she was inspired by flora and fauna; her work progressed over time, shifting to more pop art and poster-inspired work. "I think it's one of the most humbling things as an artist to look at your previous work. It's like seeing a picture of what you used to wear in middle school," she says.
Ariel's work feels very much like an extension of her personality. It's colorful, daring, and a little carefree. Her studio in Ballard has been home to many ideas brought to life by Ariel and her collaborators. We spoke to her about her art, how she found her style, and where she plans to take it.
Hi Ariel! Will you describe your personal art style?
I do a lot of large-scale paintings. I also have started moving to 3D stuff and lately has incorporated typographic elements.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I get a lot of inspiration from cinema and lately, I've incorporated my love of gig posters for music and album art.
Who is your favorite Seattle artist?
We've done a lot of collaborations. We met doing a mural you can see over in Georgetown, and we've got another one over on Whidbey Island that's fun. It's like a giant bus barn.
What's been your favorite collaboration to date?
My boyfriend and I have done a lot of collaborations. We met doing a mural you can see over in Georgetown, and we've got another one over on Whidbey Island that's fun. It's like a giant bus barn.
How has your style changed over time?
I think it's one of the most humbling things as an artist to look at your early work, and it's sort of like seeing a picture of what you used to wear in middle school. I always painted on a large scale, but I think it used to be much more flora and fauna based, and lately, it's taken a more modern turn.
Do you have a network of artists that support you in Seattle?
The lovely thing about Seattle is that people are so welcoming and, like the art community, really shows up for each other.
What's the work you are most proud of?
I made this giant lenticular typographic sculpture for insulation last year, and it was just a whole new way of thinking for me.
Is anything coming up that we can look forward to?
I'm having a solo show at ODD SEA on July 9th. There'll be many sculptural things and some new paintings incorporating airbrushes. It's going to be fun. There might be a bounce house. What more could you ask for?
See work by Ariel Parrow on July 9th from Noon - 4 at Assembly.
Address:
For more from Ariel, follow her @arielparrow
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