Ponytess is a Latin American artist and author from Kenner, Louisiana. She began exhibiting her artwork in 2003 and graduated from Tulane University. Her first poem was published in 1998 and she has since released three illustrated fairytales. Ponytess has also had the opportunity to live in Paris and New York, where she studied art therapy at the School of Visual Arts. With a passion for storytelling, Ponytess’s work often explores themes of identity, magic, and transformation.
Artist Statement
I started drawing people to make connections during a period of isolation. The first person I drew was myself. As I looked in the mirror and created the lines that loosely tied my head on to my body, it became apparent that my self-portraits became more lifelike when my clarity of thought was more anchored in reality. As time went on, and I felt ready to rejoin society, I began to draw the people around me, usually close friends, or acquaintances that I wanted to get to know better. The careful way I delineate people’s features as I approach their contours with my pen on the paper makes them feel closer to me. I use archival ink on watercolor paper to trace their shapes. Piece by piece the individuals on paper are small, but together they make up a sizable crowd.
Exhibits:
Artboxy; Lelie Galerij; Amsterdam, Netherlands - December 1st-23rd, 2022
Artbox.Projects; Case del Arte; Palma de Mallorca, Spain-2022
Artbox.Projects Gallery; Zurich, Switzerland-2021
Artbox.Projects Barcelona 1.0; Barcelona, Spain--2021
Fairy Falls, The Tigermen Den; New Orleans, LA—2017
Things: A Still Life Show, 5 Press Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2016
Growing Flowers By Candlelight In My Hotel Room for Prospect 3, The Tigermen Den; New Orleans, LA —2013 - 2014
Paintings solo show, Ten Art Salon; New Orleans, LA — 2012
Mermaids, permanent collection, Brooklyn Art Museum, Brooklyn NY — 2012
The Sketchbook Project Tour, U.S. and Canada — 2012
The Celestial Unicorn solo show, Mimi’s In The Marigny; New Orleans, LA — 2011
Salon des Refuses, Trouser House; New Orleans, LA—2011
Avant Garden, Joan Mitchell Center; New Orleans, LA—2011
The Backyard Ballroom; New Orleans, LA — 2010
The People of Paper, Sidearm Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2010
Gorgamon, Good Children Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2010
Haiti Benefit, Barrister’s Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2010
Taint Modern, 3 Ring Circus Big Top Gallery; New Orleans, LA—2009
Babylon Lexicon, Antenna Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2009
Sidearm Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2009
Faubourg Marigny Art and Books; New Orleans, LA — 2009
Studio at Colton School for Prospect 1; New Orleans, LA — 2009
Treading Lightly, One Foot In The Door, Waterfall Arts Gallery; Belfast, ME — 2008
Venus Rising for Prospect 1, Oyster Factory; New Orleans, LA — 2008
Elemental 3, Home Space Gallery; New Orleans, LA — 2008
Artgasm, Nola Candle; New Orleans, LA — 2008
Women’s Health Center Benefit Auction, Housing Works Cafe and Bookstore; New York, NY — 2007
Transitional Space, School of Visual Arts Gallery; New York, NY 2007
International Ex Libris Print Exchange, The Bunnell Gallery; Homer, AL 2007
International Ex Libris Print Exchange, International Gallery of Contemporary Art; Anchorage, AL 2006
Ponytess, Sound Cafe; New Orleans, LA 2006
Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon Auction, New Orleans, LA 2005
Vaguely Familiar, The Country Club, New Orleans, LA 2004
Altered Perceptions, Barrister’s Gallery; New Orleans, LA 2004
Incite Women’s Conference Auction; New Orleans, LA 2004
Portraits, Space Gallery; New Orleans, LA 2004