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

Neva, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

As a child, my parents were creative and talented. My father was a self taught musician, who would sit in the bathroom with us as we did our night routine, singing and playing guitar. He also taught me how to draw using shapes. I still remember his simplistic bunny, monkey, frog drawings. My mother, was a talented seamstress. She made our clothes.

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.

I am native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where I finds inspiration in the South’s dark history, gorgeous landscapes, and briny water. I received my Associate in Arts in visual communication and worked in the graphic design field in Charleston for many years. While in Charleston, I created a line of homewares for my company BeeWares from 1999-2002, which were sold across the United States. In 2003, I was chosen to paint a carousel horse representing the history of Myrtle Beach, it was auctioned off to support the local art scene. Since then I have painted, raised my two children, and wrote for the local publications.

I am a multi-disciplinary artist. My paintings show my new-traditionalism, with a focus on traditional skills and composition with contemporary impressionistic styling. I works with acrylics on canvas and panels, gouache on paper, and ink on paper and cardboard. Additionally, I explore fiber art using the ancient methods of weaving and macrame to create new landscapes and stories. Lately, I have found expression through creating elaborate facades and interiors on reclaimed cardboard boxes called “Voids”. Using paint, moss, clay, sea creatures, and other elements, I create a three-dimensional world. Many people assume that artists create their greatest works in periods of turmoil. This hasn’t been true for me or the other artists I know. Instead, I have to fight to find the light again. I can look back at how hard life has been and make beautiful pieces that reflect that time, pieces the audience can identify with.

For the last year, I have volunteered at the local art museum in the pottery studio. I have learned the ins and outs of glazes, clay, wheels and kilns, as well as hand sculpting and throwing clay. Additionally, I create art zines that I leaves around town, her first was about art techniques and materials which was distributed from Miami to Oklahoma and mysecond separates fact and fiction about Vincent Van Gogh. I also love to read, paddleboard, hike, forage for mushrooms, play with my pets, and go on adventures with my husband and daughters as often as possible!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During a four year period from 2019 til now, Neva lost four of her close family members. Starting with losing her mother which was earth-shattering for her, nothing made sense in the months, even years, following that loss. Before she had time to recover, she lost her brother, mother-in-law, and father in the following years. Her mourning was continuous and stratified. This greatly impacted every aspect of her life, including her art. Once she was able to create again she made “Voids”. These are elaborate facades and interiors using reclaimed cardboard boxes made with paint, moss, clay, sea creatures, and other elements, Neva creates a three-dimensional world to convey living with grief. She has also begun exploring image transfers on brass plates as an exploration of the many “people” she has been as she shed the layers of devastation and pain through the last few years.

Many people assume that artists create their greatest works in periods of turmoil. This hasn’t been true for Neva or the other artists she knows. Instead, she had to fight to find the light again. She can look back at how hard life has been and make beautiful pieces that reflect that time, pieces the audience can identify with.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a child, I distinctly remember being in class as the teacher passed out pristine white papers with instructions to create a scene. I watched as other children picked up their crayons and began drawing. for me that white page held all the possibilities of failure. It was already perfect and beautiful, what if I messed it up.

In art school, one instructor handed us willow charcoal sticks. Frail, thin, and chalky, the sticks immediately covered your fingers, hands, lap, and surface with soot. The instructor forbade us from being clean. We were not allowed to hold the stick with a pice of paper to keep our hands clean. The lesson was, Don’t be afraid to make a mess or a mistake. Just make something.

After having my children and beginning to paint again, I felt that same dread about messing up a white canvas. So I painted the background black. It flipped the switch in my brain so that I wasn’t afraid to make the first mark. I also had to realize that not every paper or canvas was a masterpiece. They were experiments. Chances to explore the materials and ideas, chances to fail and learn or succeed and learn.

Every time I have taught people how to create, that is the first thing I tell them. “This is an experiment.” It helps free their constraints and the pressure to make it perfect.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nevacampbellartist.com
• Instagram: NevatheArtist
• Facebook: Neva Campbell artist
• Other: Tik tok: Nevatheartist

Image Credits
Zoe Campbell