Artist Statement Currently my work as an artist is experimenting with my body, movement and traditional painting/drawing materials in order to create a dialogue between dance and painting. It is my body's history as that of a trained dancer and my training as a visual artist that lead me to initiate dialogue in and about time, the moment, the materials, movement, space, the environment, issues of beauty and the experience of the live event. I am literally using my body as a material, I am moving within the art piece, merging myself between two worlds of space, that of two dimensional space, (painting/ drawing) and that of the three dimensional space of physical movement, dance. I want to share the all-encompassing physical process of painting and many times emotional dilemma that is behind the finished end product. Recently I am inspired by and look to artists such as Ana Mendieta, Carolee Schneeman, and Pina Bausch.

Similarities are in the emphasis in use of the body as a means of expressing identity (as a woman). Anna Mendieta's work demonstrates a response to the (artistic) dominance of painting; this is interesting to me based on my background as a painter. Carolee Schneeman talks of her intuition and trust of the body. I resist formally categorizing my self as any one "type" of creative artist. I strive to see beyond formal boundaries that are used to define an artist as a painter, dancer etc..I rely on my intuitive response to how and what is the best way to express and process ideas that I continue to explore in my work as an artist. I hope to continue to reach visual arts, performing arts', educational and experimental arts' minded communities that focus on and/or are interested in experiencing a renewed awareness to how we define the concept of interdisciplinary work that pushes boundaries in new ways. Anastasia Faiella