How many incredible women artists do you know? Lucky for me, I’m fortunate to say that I know quite a few. It didn’t hurt that I went to Pratt School of Design, where there were a plethora of art majors and even more talented artists. For this month’s blog, in honor of Women’s History Month, I sat down with my dear friend from Pratt, C. Finley, known as Finley for a little behind-the-scenes interview. Finley is an independent artist specializing in vibrant colored murals in public spaces. She spends her time between Georgia, New York City, and Italy. When she is not painting, she teaches art in Assisi, Italy and workshops at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.
AJC: How did you get into art?
Finley: I went to Pratt knowing that I loved art. I knew I wanted to paint and to work in the film industry but when 9/11 happened, it changed my perspective, and I decided to focus on painting. I moved to Southern California to study and I received my MFA in 2007.
AJC: What made the shift from regular canvases to mural painting?
Finley: When I was traveling to Rome, I was introduced to Attilio Vaccari who gave me an opportunity of a life-time – the chance to move to Rome and be mentored. This environment provided me with the right inspiration and solitude to really unleash my creative potential. I was supposed to stay for four days and ended up staying for twelve years! This emboldened me to think larger, to draw on my scenic painting skills from my film industry days and go BIG.
AJC: What was your first “big” piece of work?
Finley: In 2010, I painted a 48’ x 12’ foot canvas in six pieces for a dance film called Finite and Infinite Games. The painting takes its inspiration from traditional American patchwork quilting which are cut up into a psychedelia and then painted intuitively. This nonrepetitive geometry allowed for the painting to have its own choreography during the performance and the six pieces move around as a dancer might.
AJC: Do you enjoy painting the most and why?
Finley: I LOVE PAINTING, and I also do quite a bit of wallpapering dumpsters when I visit new cities. It’s an easy way to brighten up a rather unsexy object. Some of my best projects have been activist work. I have been organizing an art show called the Every Women Biennial, which showcases hundreds of artists in LA, London, NYC, and we have exhibited over 1400 women and non-binary artists since 2014. I love bringing people together to celebrate art!
AJC: Of course, I’m curious about murals for hotels? Have you done any?
Finley: I created a project at the Arlo Hotel in New York City. I worked with IndieWalls, an art consultant who was commissioned by Arlo to do a huge mural in the lobby courtyard. That project took seven days and was incredibly fun. I projected the image onto the wall and then painted from a scaffolding which can be very intense but the client was elated at the result.
AJC: I love the colors in your work. Why do you use so much color?
Finley: I often feel like there is never enough color in the world so I try to use vibrant color whenever possible. Color changes when it’s paired with another color so part of my process is to map out every color with every other color and ultimately paint intuitively. Sometimes I’ll pick 7 colors at random just to see how they interact. Then, I’ll make adjustments. When I see that people can be elevated by color, feel refreshed by it, then I know I’ve done my job.
AJC: What’s a recent project you’re most proud of?
Finley: I just finished three murals in Phoenix, Arizona at a property called the Pemberton. It boasts 10 different bars, 5 different restaurants and features 100 different murals by international artists.
AJC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Finley: Painting, traveling, dancing, swimming, laughing, eating great food with friends and loved ones. I would like to design a school of art. I’d love to continue to teach not only art, but the art of good living. I realize the importance of vitality more and more and I believe art and creativity can tune people into their bodies and especially their natural energy. I’ll also continue activism work and bringing people together to enjoy all that life has to offer.
(Cover photo credit: Elizabeth Bick)