My name is Audrey Ferrara. I grew up in Running Springs, a teeny town nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains. In my youth and as I grew, I was surrounded by so many people who were supportive of creativity. It is truly an inspiring place, you feel such a strong connection to nature and others who also appreciate the world around you. This was a wonderful place to start to identify as an artist.

I was sad to leave this place when I was leaving for college, but I also knew that because of my unique experience I would be able to accept a new place with excitement and wonder. And now, as I write this, I am 4 months post-grad from Portland State University. College was one of the most incredible experiences of my life thus far. I have made so many connections with so many people. I feel that I have learned how to stretch myself in my art and mind. I graduated from PSU with a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Letters, with this I studied so many differing mediums of art. I have grown a beautiful foundation for figure studies, which is where my greatest passions lie. Here I explored charcoals, conte, watercolor, pastels, and so much more. I then spread this to sculpture studies. I found myself interested in clay, plaster, and found object sculpture. And further, I felt myself develop in finding a style that I felt expressed me and my needs as a creator. 

With all of this being said, I still have NO clue what it is that “I want to be when I grow up” but I have found that one of the greatest parts of being an artist is finding a community. Throughout my four years at PSU I managed to find an incredible community of artists. Between my classmates, professors, and friends I feel so supported and surrounded by inspiration. As I graduated, I started to feel really sad that I would be so separated from the community that I had built in my time at PSU. Luckily, I have realized that I just hit the tip of the iceberg in my lifetime as an artist. I will forever feel the need to connect with other creative individuals who challenge and inspire me. This is something that I am discovering to be the greatest gift of my life. To be able to connect with so many on the shared experiences of self-expression and the practice of studying the world through a creative lens is amazing. 

I can only hope that the next chapters of my time as a creator will be just as inspiring as my time in Portland.