Ariana Giampietro

Psychedelic Newts

I grew up in Gainesville, Florida. I attended the University of Florida for my undergraduate in psychology, and currently attend Florida State University for my master’s in social work. I’ve always enjoyed practicing art but grew a more particular interest in acrylic painting when I was twenty years old. I first began painting from home as a form of meditation. I realized that painting was naturally a healing hobby, and it continued to serve as a positive outlet for me throughout my undergraduate years of college. I took an opportunity with UF to study abroad in Galway, Ireland, where I was able to teach art classes to intellectually disabled adults. This further taught me about the therapeutic qualities of artistic practice. I later began commissioning artwork for individual and personalized sales, which gave me the confidence to participate in local art festivals, as well as local volunteer art projects. I helped design a mural for UF's Infectious Research Disease Team in honor of Chagas Day. This was aired globally and sponsored through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Upon graduating from UF, I worked at a locally owned art studio, Corks and Colors. After being out of school for a year, I learned that it was possible to incorporate artistic practices into a therapeutic environment through art therapy. I set myself in motion to pursue my LCSW and become a practicing art therapist. 

Much of my inspiration comes from Florida’s various landscapes with kaleidoscopic and whimsical twists. I’ve never had much interest in realism and always found brighter colors more uplifting and inspiring. I was self-conscious for some time with the playful nature of my paintings but learned to embrace the oversaturation of color. Growing up in Florida, I’ve always had opportunities for outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving. Being in nature has inspired me to start incorporating elements of Florida’s scenery into the paint on canvas. I began to collect sand and dirt from different camping and hiking locations and applying the sand to the canvas while I was painting the landscapes of that location. This made the paintings more personal by having a tangible piece of my travels in the paint. I designed “Psychedelic Newts” based on Big Shoals State Park in Florida. I included newts that I saw on a hiking trip and sand from the shore of Big Shoals rapids.