A Philly Artist Turns Trauma Into Abstract Acrylic Paintings

Send us Fan MailA paintbrush can be a turning point, and this conversation proves it. We sit down with Philadelphia based multidisciplinarian artist, writer, curator, and creative facilitator Ayana Viviana to unpack how neurographic art and abstract acrylic painting can pull buried emotions to the surface and turn them into meaning, color, and forward motion.Ayana breaks down her neurographic art process in plain language: intuitive lines first, interpretation second. From there, we talk about what it really looks like to become a professional artist fast, including her early gallery experiences and the story behind her major sale, “Hire for Hire,” a piece that challenges us to “hire” our higher self instead of living on autopilot. If you care about emerging artists, pricing artwork, artist mindset, or building a sustainable creative practice, you will hear hard earned perspective without the fluff.We also dig into community art in Philadelphia, from a City Hall exhibition tied to Hispanic Heritage Month to a residency with Tacony Lab Community Arts Center under Mural Arts, where phrases became multilingual banner messages meant to spark everyday acts of care. Ayana shares what it felt like to get the invitation to live paint at Roots Picnic, why photojournalism is really “the art of noticing,” and how her cultural writing took her to Trinidad for a story that stayed with her.Subscribe for more real conversations, share this with a friend who needs a creative reset, and leave a review with one takeaway you want to carry into your week.Support the showDo us a favor and like, comment, share, and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. To see the full video on YouTube go to Listen Up with Host Al NeelyReach out to us on our socials and hit us up with any questions!Email: [email protected]:  ListenUp4UFacebook: Let's Talk About It - Listen Up Twitter: ListenUp@Listenup4UWebsite: listenup.bizYouTube: Listen Up with Host Al Neely