Could you quickly introduce yourself and where you're from?

My name is Amelie Benicio, I work as an artist and I come from the Bay Area in San Rafael, California.

When did you first get into creative work & what is your earliest memory; drawing, painting, etc?

I could argue that I have been creatively working for as long as I could walk. Growing up I was raised by three artists including my mother, dad and step-dad. In my early childhood I also moved around a lot due to this, living in Paris, Brazil, and eventually coming to California at the age of six. I cannot recall my earliest memory of drawing or painting but this last transition for me as a young child was a hard adjustment and one of the first reasons I found my own passion for art as a means of navigating. I remember even hosting my own art club in the Sun Valley Library during recess when I was in third grade for me and my friends to hang up our markered drawings of unicorns and dragons.

What inspires your work/who?

I get my inspiration from other art, my family and friends, and my own experiences. When I have the free time, I love visiting galleries or finding other artists online or through books. I have been repeatedly drawn to artists like Anslem Keifer, Zdzislaw Beksinski, Richter, Bacon, Dalí, Bosch, Christine Ay Tjoe, Al Farrow and Lynch to list a few. But I am also often inspired by philosophy, stories, films and all different forms of art, as well as my parents' work and what they have taught me. I get inspiration being out in nature and discovering how I am a part of it and finding a balance between intent and the subconscious.

How would you best describe your work?

I would describe my work as a dark, playful dream. My recent work has been a bit more surrealist in composing my scenes of morphing images and creatures. I like to design a combination of realism and abstraction to make my subjects to be as comprehensible as incomprehensible.

When did you start getting more serious with your work?

I decided to pursue art seriously when I was a Junior at San Rafael High School in AP Art class. I had drifted from it for a while before that, but this class reignited my love for it and the support system I had around me helped me take that leap of faith.

What has been your personal favorite project so far?

This question’s hard for me to answer because my art grows with me, so sometimes I look back at something I’ve done and cringe at it or it brings me back to a headspace I was in when I was making it (good and bad). People are constantly evolving, so for me I think my favorite part of doing anything is when I am able to surprise myself.

Do you have any bigger projects in the future that you are currently planning/want to do?

I am currently building my portfolio to apply for grad school. Right now I have also been exploring more physical materials like textile and porcelain that I am very excited about, and how I can incorporate that into ‘world-building’.

Ten years down the line, where do you see yourself?

Career-wise, I see myself hopefully being able to support myself as an artist. I also love school and could see myself teaching or finding some way I could use my skills to give back to the community.

If you could give one message about your work, what would it be?

To discover true sanity is realizing the insanity of it all. You are only a moment in creation’s dream.