Check out Cassandra Abril’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Abril.

Cassandra, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I first started drawing about 6 years old. It was pretty funny actually. Whenever my family and I would go out for dinner, I would use crayons they gave you for the kid’s menu in restaurants and draw whatever I saw on napkins. My mom would always keep them which I thought was silly but she insisted.

In second grade my teacher, Ms. Painter noticed I drew a lot, so she gave me my first drawing book which was how to draw animals like tigers, toucans, and snakes. I fell in love and never stopped drawing or painting from then.

Throughout school every year my teacher would ask me to make the annual holiday card for the class. I always like making them in class while all the other kids were working on other subjects. It would make time go by so much faster. I can’t thank the teachers throughout my schooling because without them I would have never pushed myself to choose art as a career. I painted more in high school and went onto get my BFA in drawing at ASU’s Herberger School of Art.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a mixed media artist because I love having the freedom to work any medium I wish to create in. I’ve found when I place myself in one box to fit in it only hinders my creative process.

I currently paint in acrylic and watercolor and design my own tote bags and t-shirts called Fruit Tees. Inspiration comes to me from color themes and textures found in desert life, plants, and fruits. Other present issues in the world and our country such as Gun violence in America, GMO’s, plastic in our oceans, are what really moves me to give my art meaning to bring awareness to these topics. Within my paintings, I like to incorporate found or recycled materials like museum maps and desert foliage. The more we can reuse plastic or paper, the better we can diminish our waste and leave a smaller footprint on the world.

My recent artwork has been centered on my love for fruit and just what the earth gives us. After becoming vegan and plant-based lifestyle over three years ago, my creativity and fascination into fruit came about. I like painting tropical fruits like papaya, pineapple, and kiwi and the different process and stages of how these fruits grow. It’s my favorite subject to paint and work with because of the endless colors, textures, and energy they provide.

I created my website Palettes & Plants as a place to view my art but also to shed light on healthy vegan lifestyle by providing plant-based recipes that show we don’t need to consume dairy or meat to thrive. What I want my viewers to take away from my art is simple. To remember how good, it is to eat real foods that our wondrous planet has provided and to bring awareness to their daily decisions in life and how easy it is to do and be better. I hope that this can spread a positive light to nourish our bodies and in turn take care of our world and others.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think the biggest challenge facing artist today is to create something that has never been seen or heard before. That fear of reinventing the wheel is also present when I make my art. What helps is to not compare yourself to others because they have their unique themes and ideas in art just like you have your own. Remaining focused and authentic to what it is you want to portray will only help your voice and creativity stand out stronger. Also, don’t try to stick to one subject, if it feels like it’s been done move onto something new.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My current series ‘Tropical Fruit’ can be seen at the Berry Beet Juice Bar in Chandler. My art can also be seen and purchase on my website, Etsy: palettesnplants, and vango.com.
Instagram: @artbycasss and @palettesnplants

Contact Info:

• Website: Palettesnplants.com
• Phone: 602-309-4201
• Email: cassacote@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbycasss/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/cassacote/?ref=bookmarks

Image Credit:
Cassandra Abril

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