Artist Statement

AUTUMN BOSE

As a Navy veteran, travel curator, and spiritual storyteller, my work is a reflection of healing, resilience, and divine connection. I create intuitive mixed media pieces and symbolic portraits that capture emotional rebirth, sacred femininity, and the unseen energies that shape our lives. Drawing from my background in tarot, poetry, and global travel, I use vibrant color, layered texture, and iconography to open portals, inviting the viewer into a conversation with their own spirit.

My current body of work explores themes of breath, belonging, and transformation. Whether painting through grief or celebration, I treat each canvas as an altar and each brushstroke as a prayer. The work is not only for myself, but for those who are also navigating life’s transitions: returning veterans, young artists, mothers, and those awakening to their spiritual gifts.

This scholarship would allow me to further my education and deepen the integration between visual art, hospitality, and community service. I believe art is more than something to view. It’s something to feel, to remember, and to return to. My mission is to use art as a vehicle for soul restoration.

LOVE CONTINUES

These paintings beautifully capture significant moments of my children and parents, showcasing their loving relationships. Inspired by my parents’ recent 49th anniversary celebration, my son’s recent marriage, and my own 15th anniversary, each piece reflects the joy, celebration, and togetherness of these special occasions. The paintings highlight cherished moments, conveying my deep appreciation for my family and the precious times we share.

2024 for the Win Set Acrylic paint. Dimensions: 8in x 8in. each. Created in 2024.

INTENTIONS SET

The title of my mixed media triptych is ‘Intentions Set.’ It intricately combines acrylic paint, tissue paper, tarot cards, handmade advertisements, black ink, joss money, and hand stencils. Rooted in my belief in the potency of setting intentions, this piece mirrors my approach to the canvas. Working with tissue paper was particularly gratifying; its ability to meld seamlessly into the composition added depth and texture, enriching the overall aesthetic.

Intentions Set Mixed Media. Dimensions: 30 x 33. Created in 2022.

EN ROUTE

The title of this triptych piece is ‘En Route,’ symbolizing the journey towards prosperity, tranquility, and aesthetic beauty. Constructed with magazine cutouts of hummingbirds, acrylic paint, black ink, joss money, and tissue paper, it embodies a fusion of elements. Hummingbirds, revered as messengers of love, joy, and auspicious blessings, grace the composition. Despite my dissatisfaction with the medium’s tendency to yellow, the piece encapsulates a vision of hope and aspiration.

En Route Mixed Media. Dimensions: 30 x 33. Created in 2022.

A NIGHT OUT WITH THE HUBBY DURING COVID

Entitled ‘A Night Out with the Hubby During COVID,’ this piece was created as a graded assignment for my Painting II professor. It holds a special place in my heart as it features my beloved husband, one of my most cherished individuals. Executed entirely in oil paint on a 24 x 36 canvas, the artwork seamlessly combines three photographs into one cohesive scene, capturing a memorable moment despite the challenges of the pandemic.

The following pieces were all from that class.

A Night Out with the Hubby During COVID. Oil Paint. Dimensions: 24 x 36. Created in 2022.

I LOVE OIL PASTEL

I have a profound affinity for oil pastels, considering them my preferred medium of expression. My artistic inspiration draws heavily from the works of Wayne Thiebaud, a renowned artist featured in publications such as ArtDaily, LA Weekly, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Thiebaud’s adept use of oil pastels to infuse vibrancy into his creations resonates deeply with me. Additionally, I find inspiration in Harlem Renaissance artists like Romare Bearden and Laura Wheeler Waring. Their influence is evident in my work. I invite you to explore the rest of my artwork, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or inquiries.