Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Rawan Ita-Diaz
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Rawan!
RID: I am a Chaldean artist based in Detroit, MI but I was born in Iraq. My family and I were fortunate enough to come to The United Sates as refugees. We fled when I was just a toddler and went from country to country until we were granted asylum and settled in the Metro Detroit area.
Living from one new place to the next has sparked this desire I have to travel across the world. Traveling refreshes me. Seeing new sights, walking across various lands, and experiencing different cultures inspires me as an artist and as a human. When I need to refocus and find my creativity, I know it’s time to explore. Sometimes, that may mean going out into nature and painting en plein air or simply walking along a beautiful path surrounded by animals. Those walks are precious to me in many ways.
In 2017, I was in a horrific accident that changed my life. The simple things in life, like walking, became extremely painful and difficult for me to do. I walked with a limp for years, relied on walking sticks, and use a wheelchair from time to time. I felt weak and humiliated. Most of all, I missed that time I had to myself during my daily walks. Now, I appreciate my legs more than ever for taking me as far as they can. With each trek, I think back on each day of progress I’ve made since. Walking is not only a milestone for me physically, but it’s my mind’s way of thinking through the madness. When I become unproductive and tense, I know it’s time to prepare my legs and my mind for those strides.
I wear many hats as an artist, architectural designer, and co-founder of a nonprofit called The Art Spread. My creative energy can be used up quickly. When it’s time to step away from the canvas and computer, I explore the world – any little part of it - so that I can come back to my role as painter and creative director with a fresh mindset.
C+B: What are your long-term goals for creating?
RID: My long-term goals for creating are to stay true to my origin, the reason I began painting in the first place. I want to use my artwork to continue raising awareness and insight into a messy mind such as mine. The more I share about my physical and mental challenges, the more I’ve been able to connect with people. It’s a goal I never thought I’d have but it’s turning out to be an incredible experience.
C+B: Tell us something exciting about your life or creative life!
RID: In Spring of 2021, my business partner and I publicly launched our nonprofit! The Art Spread (@the.art.spread) is an organization that supports artists with mental, physical, and societal challenges. We feature artists who are ready to share their story to help spread awareness. The message of inclusion brought so many opportunities for us to connect with people. During our free monthly events, we invite professional, artists, and people who experience life in diverse ways to speak. The Art Spread’s growth has already exceeded my expectations! Artists that I’ve fan-girled over for years have given their time to speak at our events and show support! Our next goal is to host two exhibitions per year called Summer Spread and Winter Spread. During the exhibitions, our Featured Artists can showcase and sell their work and network with a large audience. We also plan to curate Empathic Exhibitions. This would include a variety of installations and displays that cater to people with diverse abilities so that a more inclusive art experience can be shared. We’ve just begun our adventure and I am so excited for what’s to come!
Bloom, 9” x 12,” alcohol ink
(Original artwork ©Rawan Ita-Diaz)
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat is simple. A space in nature, maybe a balcony or patio that is surrounded by lush landscape and vibrant flowers hanging overhead. Ideally, I could wake up from a place of rest nearby, grab a cup of tea and walk into the sunlit area with a watercolor palette and velvety cotton paper waiting for me to play with.
Currently inspired by: My favorite emerging artists include women like Gray (@grxylxw), Minju (@sincerelyminju), and Maryam (@medadi). They are artists associated with The Art Spread (@the.art.spread) who boldly express their passion and message through art. Gray’s work is exciting and vibrant at first glance. When you look deeper into the layers, you uncover an intense level of vulnerability that exudes out of her pieces. Minju’s paintings are delicate and sophisticated. Her abstract pieces are filled with soft movement and light that lead your eyes to rest and engage in specific moments. Maryam makes collages that are fun, feminine, and layered with flowers. They speak to the me as a woman and celebrate natural beauty.
Experienced artists, Kat Popova (@katerinaspopova) and Emma Lindstrom (@lindstrom.emma) have inspired me since the beginning of my art journey! Kat’s many creative endeavors encourage me to follow my various passions and not limit myself as an artist. Emma is the first artist I came across that encouraged me to create fluid artwork. I struggled with fine motor skills like using a paint brush so, I thought that meant I couldn’t paint. When I saw Emma splash buckets of paint around, I realized that I should explore the pouring technique. It changed my life and allowed me to create art without boundaries!
