Story Series #110

Collage, paint, fabric, beads, thread and wax. , 8”x6”.75”, 2024

The typed text reads ‘Endless’ and the handwritten text reads ‘Muddled with only your fingers.’ Cold wax is added between layers of paper to create a soft sheen, and wrinkled surface. The edges of the painting are hand-sewn and slightly extend over the wooden panel.

I make collage paintings focusing on emotion and internal personal logic to create stories. These narratives are built intuitively through layers of materials and symbolism. Materials such as beads, collage, fabric, wax, and thread help build a blank landscape. Figures are given new personas by changing their faces to inanimate objects to expose their innermost thoughts and emotions. Handwritten and typed text is added to each painting. The text for me is when the painting turns into art. It is like the lyrics of a song you can’t stop thinking about.

Nina Alderete lives in Burien, Washington. She holds a B.A. from the University of California Santa Cruz, an M.F.A. in Painting from Central Washington University, and an M.S. from the University of the Pacific. Nina makes small-scale surreal collage paintings in her basement studio that address layers, depth, stylized composition, and internal personal logic.