Artist Statement
"What is the essence of Art for you?
For me the essence of Art is to tell stories of people without words. My paintings will tell 'you' stories using symbolic sceneries. The vision of women and children going through different life experiences and stages through allegories tells 'you' that story through Narrative Art.
Volunteer models are being portrayed in my paintings as the characters of the story. While studying, volunteering, and practicing psychology, I explore experiences from victims and heroes who interlace their lives as one—the untold stories of ordinary people where redemption is found through spirituality.
My paintings are spiritual journeys into the inner worlds of my characters, through which themes of suffering, surviving, love, and the meaning of life are explored. On one hand, there is an influence of female artists such as Lenora Carrington, Camille Claudel and Remedios Varo, as well as an influence of the undercover hysteria studies of Freud, some Greek mythology and a little bit of contemporary psychology.
On the other hand, I see myself under the influence of Japanese Art. As a self-taught painter, I employ an unconventional painting technique that greatly contributes to the lyrical quality of my unfold narratives. Soft pastel colors, sometimes acrylics or oils or both combined, are applied as very thin layers on the canvas, where "you" may sometimes see-through, and find imperfections purposely, as made by traditional Japanese Art to differentiate one of a kind handmade art from digital and/or industrial production printed canvas.
At the end of the day, I find Painting close to Poetry and consequently I am more focused on capturing the essence of a character living through the portrayed persona in her/his narrative, always on a minimalist background. 'You' may find 'yourself' trapped in it."
Biography
Alicia Campos Massó
Is an international narrative artist, psychologist, art therapist, educator, teaching artist, and social entrepreneur, dedicated 100% to her art and teaching.
Shows her artwork in solo and group Art exhibitions in Spain, France, México, Japan, and the USA among other countries.
Has clients and private Art collectors all around the world.
Founded Happy Industries Art Studio, with his son Lázaro Vázquez, in 2011 in New York, inspired on the one hand, by his son's artistic talents and art approaches, and on the other, by the growing demand for her artwork.
Graduated with a BS in Psychology in México D.F. and specialized in Art Therapy from Endicott College. The main field of study: Trauma in childhood. Art and Healing.
Continued studying psychology, trauma, suicidal behaviors, art for healing, and entrepreneurship at Harvard.
Graduated with a Master in Educational Technologies at Harvard, with the thesis: Art in a Hispanic Community for Social Awareness in the Age of Technology.
Has taught grammar, Art, literature, business, and human rights in Spanish at Harvard, UPenn and NYU, among other universities.
Is an author/illustrator of bilingual Spanish/English children's books. When Clotilde Dreams..., Lazaro and the Crocodile, Noah in the Neighborhood and Walking through the Moon's Forest.
Promotes women entrepreneurship, offers art workshops and participates in art and business related seminars as well as community oriented projects.
Via Florida in Art, promotes Art and fine artists of all ages, with Art shows yearly around.
Has private Art for Healing and Art as Therapy sessions.
Former Guardian Ad Litem. Passion to work with/for children.
Member of the National Association of Women Artists NAWA New York
Currently teaches at The University of Tampa, Applied Media Aesthetics and Creativity, is a grad student at the Institute of Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, runs 100 Women Artists in Art History Cultural Agency, and prepares an Art Solo Exhibition for 2023 - Bella Unica Gallery, Florida.
Education
2022-2027 Grad Student at IDSVA Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts
2020 USF Paralegal, FL.
2020 University of Michigan Storytelling.
2009 Harvard University Psychology, Technology, Art. ALM
2005 Endicott College Psychology and Business.
Mexico/Boston. BS
1992 Business and Entrepreneurship. Cartagena. Spain
Awards/Grants
2022 Gobioff Foundation Grant. "100 Women Artists in Art History-Represented by Women Artists from Florida"
2021 FYE 2021 Professional Development for Artists Grant.
Arts Council of Hillsborough County. Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
Tampa Florida USA
2020 Gobioff Foundation Microgrant. Tampa FL
2018 Fulfill your Destiny Grant. Tampa FL
2009 Grant Massachusetts Cultural Council. Boston, MA
2005 School Murals. Cultural Agents Initiative. Harvard University. MA
2006 School Murals. Cultural Agents Initiative. Harvard University. MA
1982 Murcia Illustration for Story Telling. Spain
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 Bella Unica Gallery. The Aesthetics of a Woman Soul: Motherhood & Spiritual Traditions. Florida
2021 Straz Center of Performing Arts. Flamenco and Spain. Tampa FL
2021 Spain Restaurant Gallery. Think Female Tampa FL
2019 Spain Restaurant Gallery. Collages. Tampa FL
2005 Cartagena Gallery. Landscapes of the City. Murcia. Spain
2001 Azafran Gallery. Textures. Philadelphia PA
2000 Taller Puertorriqueño Galería. Portraits. Philadelphia PA
1999 Lindenberg Gallery. White Textures. New York NY
1999 El Chisme Art Gallery. Disintegration. Mexico D.F. Mexico
1998 El Ex-Convento EL Desierto de los Leones Art Gallery. Angeles. Mexico D.F. Mexico
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 Trask Gallery at the National Arts Club. New York, NY
2022 Carrollwood Cultural Center. The Tarot Project. Tampa FL
2021 The House of Shadows. Nightmare on Kennedy. Tampa FL
2021 Mize Gallery. Critters. St. Pete FL
2021 Atelier de SoSi. El Día de los Muertos. St Petersburg FL
2021 Carrollwood Cultural Center. FLOWERS. Tampa, FL.
2020 Woodfield Fine Art Gallery. Come Out. St Pete FL
2020 Bella Unica. OneArtistOneStory. St Pete FL
2020 International Plaza. Project GOAT. Tampa, FL
2019 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Project GOAT. Tampa, FL
2019 Art Lofts. The May Mad Hatter. St Pete FL
2019 Spain Restaurant. Art with HeArt. Tampa FL
2019 Art Lofts. Stitcherotica. St Pete FL
2019 Spain Restaurant. We are the Ocean. Tampa FL
2019 On Point Executive Center. Another Day at the Office. Tampa FL
2018 Florida in Art. Westshore Plaza. Tampa FL
2018 Florida CraftArt. Día de los Muertos. A Celebration of Life. St Pete FL
2016 Ruth Eckerd Hall. Clearwater. FL
2017 Spain Restaurant Gallery. Latino Cultural Diversity. Tampa FL
2016 The Gallery at 14 Days to Close. Collective. Ybor City FL
2014 CEMUART. El Amor no Anda en Burro. Tlalnepantla. México
2013 INFONAVIT. El Amor no Anda en Burro. México D.F.
2012 Nude Nite. Art Exhibition and Event. Tampa FL
2012 Museo Pagaza, Valle Bravo. El Amor no Anda en Burro. México.
2009 Nude Nite. Art Exhibition and Event. Tampa FL
2009 Tampa Artist Emporium. Habitat. Tampa FL
2004 Lorenzo Homar Gallery. 100+1 Miles Radius. Philadelphia PA
2002 Cultural Center Art Show. Philadelphia PA
2001 XOXO Art Exhibition. Philadelphia PA
2001 Painted Bride Art Center. Ofrendas. Philadelphia PA
1995 Borders Gallery. Still Life. Philadelphia PA
1987 Certamen Concurso. Murcia Art Exhibition. Murcia. Spain
Selected Art Project-Community Oriented
2021 The Tarot Project. A deck by Floridian artists. Development and organization of Tarot Art Show, printing deck and special event with international tarotists.
2020 FRAMEWORKS. Tampa FL
2018/21 Florida in Art. Promotion of local artists by themes.
Social media and Art exhibitions in Tampa locations. FL
2005 Murals in Public Schools. Cultural Agents Initiative. Harvard University. MA
Selected Art Events/Festivals
2021 Live Paint: Woman with American Flag. Paint 22. Veterans Art Show. Tampa FL
2019 Pop Up Art Market Westshore Plaza. Tampa FL
2016 Harbour Island Art Walk. Tampa FL
2016 Flowers. Home Show. Expo Hall. Tampa FL
2015/16/17 Convention Center. Cons. Tampa FL
2013/17 Clearwater Outdoor Festival. FL
2010/11 West Broadway. Manhattan NY
1997/98 El Jardín del Arte. Sullivan-San Angel. Mexico DF Mexico
Selected Talks, Panels and Seminars
2022 Judge Panelist for TESA FL
2021 Illustration and Storytelling. Straz Center. Tampa FL
2021 Art Demo and Talk. Brandon League of Fine Arts FL
2020 Judge Panelist for Carrollwood Cultural Center. Tampa FL
2016 Panelist. CEO National Conference. Tampa Convention Center FL
2010 Art Presentation. Rotary Club of Brandon. FL
2009 Art Therapy in Mexico City. Harvard University. Cambridge MA
2005 Talk. Humanities Center Seminar. Harvard University. Cambridge MA
Selected Bibliography/Press/Media
2020 Art and Human Trafficking. Tampa Bay Times. FL
2020 Art and Human Trafficking. Telemundo 49 News. FL
2019 Art for Healing. Centro Tampa. FL
2010 Walls. Focus Education. Mexico D. F. Mexico
2009 Habitat. Magazine Vertical Tampa Bay, FL
2004 Arte y Cultura. El Hispano. Philadelphia. PA
2004/2005 Booklet. The Humanities Center. Harvard University MA
1998 El Universal. El País. El Día. El Nacional. Mexico D.F. Mexico
Selected Teaching
2022 The University of Tampa, Applied Media Aesthetics and Creativity FL
2011/2021 Drawing/Painting Classes/Workshops. Happy Industries Art Studio
New York/Tampa
2019 Workshop. Mandalas. Awakening Wellness Center. St Pete FL
2019 Workshop. On Glass. On Point Executive Center. Tampa FL
2018 Mandalas. Warehouse Arts Exchange. St Pete FL
2005/2009 TA/Lecturer/Instructor. Art and Literature in Spanish, Harvard University, MA
