Nova DeNise

The cultures and traditions of New Mexico are part of who I am. I have lived in Albuquerque since 1976; yet my corazon is always in Santa Fe. My exposure to art began in Santa Fe when I was eight selling newspapers sitting on the Plaza. I watched the portrait artists drawing passerbys.

I use my intuition to guide my work, although I majored in art during my college years. I don’t prepare with sketches. Before I begin my work I may start by putting my hand over a piece of cloth, or hold an object. I may put my hand over a piece of clay, or hold cardboard in my palm.

As a woman, serving the community and volunteering, my art has taken a turn in the last thirteen years. I joined a group of nine women called “Apronistas.” This group

creates art on aprons expressing woman’s rights and concerns.

Recently I have been making human size cardboard puppets. This helps support the OFFCenter Community Arts Center. I am looking forward to creating and participating with New Mexico Arts Imaginative Collective.