Artist Spotlight - Harper Joy Gunn

Who are you? What do you do?

Through her training as an architect, Harper Gunn developed her art style with attention to detail. She is inspired by tattoo art, tarot design, and the natural world - the bugs, birds, and plants - around her. In her time away from making art, Harper helps design rural hospitals and clinics across the country. 

Who/what inspires you? 

I take most of my inspiration for the subject of my work from the natural world and the landscapes that I love. I am especially inspired by time I have spent with family in the high deserts of northern New Mexico. In terms of style I have always loved tattoo art and the way that imagery can become a language.

What is your favorite moment in the process?

One of my favorite parts of my process is spending time sketching and working through a design or idea. I love being able to think visually and process through my thoughts. The other part of my process I love is when I am finally able to put down a finished piece and can really see it as a piece of art. That moment makes me realize that all the work I put in has been worth it. 

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium? 

The best advice I've received from other artists is to create all the time and without the pressure to share. I think having the freedom to explore completely without feeling critique from other people has been very freeing to me and helps me to not take anything for granted. 

What’s next?

I view making art as a practice and so I am excited to keep working and creating and seeing what comes to me to explore next. Right now I am working on a series of acrylic paintings and I am really enjoying how it feels to work on canvas as opposed to on a screen. 

Where can we find you? (Social pages, classes/workshops, clubs, etc.)

You can find me on instagram at @harperjoygunn!