Art Basel brings travelers and art together. Perfect excuse to catch up with one of my favorite Artists Adriana Jaramillo. Also known as “The Traveling Paintbrush”.  She is a Miami-based Ecuadorian artist whose art features women exploring the world. The spirit behind her art focuses on celebrating adventure, female courage, and reconnecting viewers with their intrinsic nomadic roots. Other facts: Adriana actually has a crazy fear of planes but she doesn’t let that stop her from discovering other countries from Japan to Morrocco. She is an active member of the Miami community and a loving wife to a talented musician.

“Art Basel means renewal.“

Blue Magic in Bali 1 of 1 (2014) 8.5×11 Oil pastel on illustration paper

Tell us about your first Art Basel.

I was nineteen when I went to my first Art Basel! It’s still very fresh for me. It was the first time I ever saw art in nontraditional settings and I was totally blown away. I remember hotel hopping and exploring the displays within freight containers over on 22nd. At this point in my life, I’d decided not to formally study art for a number of reasons one of which was the frustration that success in art was so rigidly limited to getting showcased in fancy museums. This was a gamechanger. I felt like I’d woken up from a lie.

Salute to Muslim Sisters 1 of 1 (2017) 30×40 Acrylic on canvas

What are you looking forward to this year?

What I’m always looking forward to. The human experience as told from different angles. Give me all the social commentary! I like to keep my hopes for Basel as broad as possible because that way I can find what I’m looking for just about anywhere and everywhere. Even though I find I need a whole week afterward to recharge from all the madness, not even kidding haha, at the end of the day, as an artist Art Basel gives me a second breath. It’s inspiring to see the creative breakthroughs of other artists and I come back to my studio feeling pumped.

Peruvian Sunset 1 of 1 (2017) 8×10 Acrylic on canvas

What can we expect from you this year?

Right now, the Traveling Paintbrush is still recovering from some crazy ass jet lag after nearly a month in Japan and Thailand! Once I’m back on my feet, the recent inspiration from travels, coupled with the surge of innovation at Basel, will undoubtedly help unleash a new series of works and collabs with other female artists. One of my favorite things about Basel is getting a chance to connect with other artists! I personally like to take some time to walk around the city and enjoy seeing artists doing their thing. I hit up events that feature local Miami artists, emerging artists, or shows with mission-based cores like highlighting awareness around a cultural group’s diaspora or encouraging environmental sustainability. In addition to the usual suspects like Red Dot and Spectrum. Basel is an artist playground free for all. You see so many muralists, graffiti artists and live painters in their element and this is priceless too.

Women, Lean on Women 1 of 1 (2017) 12×12 Acrylic on canvas

I prefer art that shares something vulnerable because I think art is about taking risks.

Tell us more about your thoughts on art.

For me, I like to keep things broad. When it comes to my personal taste I like anything and everything with a palpable heart. For me, it’s less about the style and more about the soul. The Miami art scene is expanding, and that’s exciting. I’ve lived in Miami my whole life and I’ve seen how the social landscape has changed to be more inclusive. There’s still work to be done but it’s awesome to see my city show continued interest in art!

What are your tips for the week?

Tip 1: Cuban coffee.

Tip 2: Don’t try to do it ALL. Narrow it down to your “musts” and your “would be nice”.

Tip 3: Bike, walk or ride-share because the real hassle comes down to the traffic and parking nightmares!

FEATURED EVENT

March 2 - March 2 2019

Culture And Art Intertwine At Art Africa Miami Arts Fair December 4-9, 2018 While Celebrating Historic Overtown’s historic legacy. 2018 theme Black Art Matters explores current challenges, and renewed assaults on Black Lives that artists of African descent have brought attention to. The Southeast Overtown Park West (SEOPW) Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has demonstrated a commitment to using as the arts as a means of economic development. From commissioning legendary artist Pervis Young to paint its major overpass to sponsoring the annual Overtown Music and Arts Festival, and being an original partner in AAMAF, the CRA uses these investments as opportunities to attract cultural tourists to the area and revitalize the CRA boundary. Visit www.artafricamiamifair.com for more information. Follow on social media IG-@artafricamia

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