Post 9

Artist Statement:

Ever since I was a kid, I loved watching “Tom and Jerry” with someone close to me. After they passed away, that memory stuck with me and made me want to make art that gives people the same warm, comforting feeling. I was alone a lot during my childhood, and when no one was around to talk to, I would draw in my room to let out how I felt. Art became my way of talking when I didn’t know how to say things.

I’ve tried different materials like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, charcoal, oil pastels, gouache, and oil paints. Lately, I’ve been into oil painting, trying things like layering paint, using bright colors underneath, and painting with thick strokes.

A lot of my ideas come from things that happen in my life—now or in the past. Instead of starting with a sketch, I usually think about the colors I want to use first, and then I figure out what the painting will be about.

REVISED:

From a young age, I found comfort in watching “Tom and Jerry” with a loved one, a memory that became deeply meaningful after their passing. This connection inspired me to use art as a way to evoke the same sense of comfort and nostalgia for others. With being isolated for a good amount of my childhood I drew my feelings in my room when no one was there to listen. Over time, art became a language through which I could process emotions and express what words could not.

I have explored through multiple mediums, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, charcoal, oil pastels, gouache, and oil paints. I’ve been focusing my attention into oil painting, exploring multiple layers of glazes, vibrant underpaintings, and thick paint strokes.

My inspiration comes from current events that happens throughout my life, either present or past. Instead of focusing on thumbnails first, I think about what type of color story I want my painting/illustration to portray, then I think about the subject of it.

Artist Bio:

Taina Luna is an illustrator based in Bayonne, New Jersey, currently pursuing a BFA in Illustration at New Jersey City University . His early exposure to art came through his mother, who studied art in college before focusing on education. This connection provided Taina with access to various art supplies, sparking his enthusiasm for creative expression. During his time at Bayonne High School, he actively participated in stage decoration and contributed to an art exhibition in the 2019–2020 academic year, further deepening his interest in the art world. These experiences shaped into the type of artworks he does today.