The beauty of art is that it can take on several different meanings depending upon the interpretation of those who view it. There is no right nor wrong, only what is and what it is believed to be. It is always fascinating to see the different works of artist and try to understand the vision in which their art represents. In our continued effort to bring you the best up and coming talent of all types, we have found a young lady from Ormond Beach, Florida who’s art is turning heads and causing a big stir. She has won several awards locally and her work has been placed on display at exhibitions as well as in galleries around South Florida. She has a unique talent and skill set, that if met with the proper exposure, could push her work to even greater heights. Here is your opportunity to learn more about this dynamic painting/drawing artist, Alanna Vanacore.

N54: Hello Alanna and thank you for taking the time to share with our readers. Hi there! Thank you, I am happy to have this opportunity.

N54: What was it like growing up in Ormond Beach, Florida? It’s been wonderful. Florida in general is really a beautiful place and its swamps and beaches have been a major source of inspiration for me. Ormond will always be my home.

N54: What sparked your interest in becoming an artist? My mother is a painter and my father is a builder, so I have always had the necessary tools to do whatever it is I wanted to do. I love working with my hands and from there generated my fascination with the process of creating art. I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember.

N54: How would you describe your style of drawings and paintings? I would say my style is loose and fluid, but at the same time, it still has a natural and realistic quality to it. I love the process of drawing and layering paint, so being able to see the thought and process behind a piece is important to me. I also tend to elongate my figures, giving them long necks and torsos.

N54: You are a graduate of The University of North Florida. How did your time there help develop your talent? During my time at the University of North Florida I really refined my technique. They pushed me to explore myself as an artist and encouraged me to always challenge what I was creating. I grew an enormous amount as an artist while I was there.

N54: I noticed most of your paintings are done with acrylic paint. Is there a purpose or reason behind this preference? As I mentioned before, my mother is a painter and she always used acrylics. So acrylics are what I’ve learned with and it just kind of stuck. I love oils and I paint with them occasionally. But I’m a messy painter and I work in small spaces, so acrylics are easier to clean up and aren’t toxic.

N54: Is it true that you’ve setup your easel in your bathroom and painted yourself through the reflection in the mirror? How difficult was that to pull off by being your very own model and painter? It’s funny because it’s really strenuous and I ache while I paint, but it works for me. Bathrooms are the ideal place to paint, there’s no carpet, a sink for clean up, and great lighting. I have all the information I need right there in front of me. Also, I have terrible eye sight in my right eye, so it helps that there is a mirror there and I can get as close to the subject as I need to.

N54: That’s very interesting. Now the first thing that jumps out at me from your work is the eye’s your subjects have. It’s like the glare the eyes give off pierces through one’s soul. Is there meaning behind your emphasis on facial expressions? They look that way because I am looking into my own eyes as I’m painting myself. I just paint what I see and the emotion translates through.

N54: Why have you chosen the human flesh as your main focal point in most of your works? I love painting flesh because it’s translucent; it has depth and is always changing. The interactions I have with people are a big source of inspiration for me.

N54: Next, I’m very intrigued to find out the meaning behind your drawings use of a deer’s head on a female human torso? It all started out as a still life drawing of the deer head. But instead of drawing the rest of the body, I thought it would be funny to do a human. I like the irony of a male deer head and a female torso. These girls are confident, sexy, and definitely have an attitude.

N54: Your work has been displayed in several galleries and exhibitions in the Florida area. What has been the feedback been like? I love seeing people’s reaction to them and how they’re interpreted. Whether it’s an animal or a human, it’s something people can relate to. Everyone is different but most of the feedback has been really positive.

N54: Have you sold any of your works to date? I have been selling my paintings since I was in 7th grade. I started bringing pictures of my work to school and showing my teachers. Most of my portraits are already sold and I hope that my newer pieces will find a new home to hang soon..

N54: You mentioned to me that you are planning a move to the Big Apple (NYC). Why have you decided to do so? I can’t see myself doing anything other than art. I want to be completely surrounded and see what I am made of. So why not move to New York?

N54: Point well taken. What would you most like for the readers to get out of this interview about you and the talent you posses? That I absolutely love what I am doing. It really is my life force. I can’t imagine my life without it.

N54: Where can interested readers and prospective buyers go to learn more about you and sample more of your creations? They could go to Alannavanacore.com or Levimarxcontemporary.com or if I’m in your town come to one of my art shows!In closing I’d like to say that it was a pleasure introducing you to our readers. I hope your move to NYC is a successful one and that your talent continues to receive the exposure it truly deserves. Thank you! I am so grateful for all of the support from those who believe me. I thank each and every one of them. I would like to also send a special thank you out to Jacquita S. Thornton for bringing Alanna and her talents to the attention of Nine5four Magazine and making this interview possible.