Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Tosten. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andrea, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I entered college as a science major thinking I would be a veterinarian but left unsure about what I wanted to do. It took me four years of undergrad, and a job in veterinary pharmaceutical sales to see I should drop the farce and admit to myself I was interested in art. I took all the studio art classes that the school offered, as the university I attended did not have an art school. I also took a Shakespeare in film class that I thoroughly enjoyed. I joined the Visual Arts Society, too. I learned to hang paintings, I helped out at the campus galleries, and I entered the annual art competition at the suggestion of my painting instructor. I won third place overall with a painting of an eyewash station and got a gift card for art supplies.

I worked in various positions at a few museums—including cashier, education assistant, and registrar. I even took some more studio art and art history courses. Eventually, that led to a master’s degree in museum studies.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started a home-based calligraphy business. During that time, I did a lot of reading and a little painting and drawing. I made my way through the entire 12 weeks of The Artist’s Way, I volunteered at an art museum, and I went to gallery openings. I entered another art competition. The sole juror ended up awarding the cash prize to everyone that participated—we each got about one hundred dollars. I was pleased. I decided to paint some new work and submit it to a small gallery, but the work was not well received. I was feeling low. “Is there such a thing as a museum for bad art?” I thought. I acted on the thought and did a quick online search. There is such a thing—it is called the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) and it is in Somerville, Massachusetts. I emailed the head curator on a whim. I included pictures of two paintings I did—a blue monochromatic self-portrait and a conceptual rendering of President Barack Obama. He wrote back especially interested in the Obama piece. “Of course!” I said to myself. As I packed up the two paintings, I discovered the ability to lighten up.

The Museum of Bad Art posted an image of my painting on Facebook around the time of President Obama’s second inauguration. Though I saw comments like, “Truly awful,” I laughed and even took a little pride in my work. In hindsight, I am amused at my naïve sincerity and the ability to make such a bad work of art. I am fortunate to use my skills in visual art and appreciation for craft in my work every day. When I am feeling uptight, I think about those paintings and laugh with myself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m learning more and more through reading the writings of Carole Boyce Davies, Walter Rodney and Sylvia Wynter who were influenced by the work of Suzanne and Aime Cesaire, Frantz Fanon, and C.L.R. James, that reciprocity was important factor in how our ancestors of the Global South lived their lives in relation to one another and the planet. Through my work, I hope to connect with people where they are in the context of workshops and be a part of the visual, spiritual, communal, and intellectual conversations that are part of strengthening paradigms that move away from, white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism. I hope to deepen my understanding of the materials I use in my work in terms of the labor that goes into how they are made and distributed and who benefits from the sale of them. I also want to explore my own processes of making paper and plant-based inks.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Support policies that promote affordable education, housing, and healthcare for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://a-scribe.squarespace.com
• Instagram: @ascribe1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.estrada.9081/
• Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCJl2ltDtYS4hckeGnSM_2ow/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D

Image Credits

Headshot by Jordan Fraker, 3 out of 4 of the pictures of my work were taken by me except the Epistolary Paper Quilt, which was take by Kevin Todora.