We recently connected with Aaron Novak and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My story is one of brokenness and the process of healing and acceptance.

I hope that through my experiences I can help others on their own journeys of healing and acceptance.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As a disabled veteran who lives in constant pain, I strive to take the brokenness and deterioration of life and present it in a new light. After serving as a Military Police Officer, I was medically retired at 100%. I returned to school where I got my Bachelors of Arts in Cinematic Arts. I took a sculpture class, fell in love and returned for a Masters of Fine Arts in Studio Art. During my time in school, I took what I loved about filmmaking, lighting and set design, and explored installation and illuminated art.

Most of my work involves found objects, things that would otherwise be considered worthless or broken, and seeing them from a new perspective, finding the beauty within the brokenness. Believing there is more to life than what we initially see on the surface, layers invite the viewer to dive deeper. Distortion and fractured images create a constant motion in an otherwise static object, offering a dialogue for those feeling trapped by inner turmoil. Light illuminates the dark and hidden places, creating opportunity for healing. By using unconventional techniques, my goal is not simply to present the viewer with a piece of art, but offer a transformation of thought, an environment to step into, an opportunity to experience the art, to engage with the art, not just consume it.

Art allows me to process through the realities of living with severe chronic pain. Through my art process, I hope to show that no matter our afflictions or circumstances, we are all beautiful, even in our brokenness, and that often, the things we try to hide away, are the very things that make us most unique.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Coming out of the army with so much pain, left me dealing with a reality that was so different from when I went in. I found myself unable to participate in life the way I felt expected to. I had to wrestle a lot with what does life look like when I can’t be who I think I am supposed to be and confront the ableism within my own self.

As an artist, my goal is to share the message that no matter your circumstances, there is beauty and worth within you, just as you are. You do not have to live up to the expectations put on you by others – whether that be friends, family or society as a whole. The opinion that matters the most is your own, and by embracing your brokenness or failings, you can begin to live into the fullness of who you are. If we expect to grow as a person, we have to embrace who we are right now.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I recently was contacted by a group called ArtLifting that works with disabled artists and those who have experienced homelessness. ArtLifting works with large corporations and hotel chains to promote the work of this underrepresented group of artists. Through a several month long process, we worked to create a portfolio of my artwork, and their sales team is actively creating proposals for clients. These opportunities have opened up a new demographic of clientele that I would have never imagined and has led me to now have art in public spaces.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aaronovak.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronovak/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronNovak1

Image Credits
All images are mine.