Mar 30, 2017

Introducing: Danni Fuentes

Artist: Danni Fuentes

Age: 24

Born in: Long Island, New York

Based in: New York

Inspirations:

Rupi Kaur, Penelope Gazin, Jon-Michael Frank, Joan Cornellà, my extremely talented friends, and 90’s anime

Themes in your work:

My work is a love letter to the underdogs and a ransom note to oppressors. I pull from my experiences as a woman who, (unfortunately) like many other women, has overcome abuse and sexual harassment; it's my way of sticking it to the man. There is definitely a cheekiness to it.

About your artwork:

These pieces are part of an untitled sketchbook series I’ve been working on since December 2016. Prior to this book, I had put a lot of emphasis on the "finished piece" and I started to feel detached from the work I was making. It wasn't expressive of who I am as a person; it was rigid and technical. I'm not like that in my personal life, I'm a huge weirdo. I cry at inappropriate times and twerk to the People's Court theme song (sometimes both at once).

Learning about the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi inspired me to get a little messy and start doodling. I bought this tiny book right before a flight to Texas and have kept it in my purse since. I've been treating it as a visual journal, recording daily thoughts through illustration; some are meant to be funny and some are pessimistic (usually a cocktail of both). A lot of the humor stems from my fears and anxieties. In addition to the humorous bits, I took a liking to drawing real, nude women in everyday situations. They look comfortable and powerful whether they are creating their own narrative (via selfie), or staring directly into your soul. I'd also like to note that none of these women are "smiling" (as we are so often told to do), yet they're perfectly content. As someone who has struggled with disordered eating, I find comfort in drawing women who have curves and folds like I do, because these "imperfections" are often beautiful and endearing features (thank you wabi-sabi!).

Anything else you’d like to add? I just made a free 3-page coloring book for Women's History Month. You can find it here! I'm currently working on my first zine and I'm really excited about it. Hopefully, I'll get it out by April, so keep an eye out! I'm also part of a rad little collective from Long Island called CON-TEMPLATE and we throw DIY art/music shows around New York.