AIMEE Vera Hedman

     Simply put, I make art. I make art from things that make an impression on me.

 Now I literally make my own impressions of those impressions by my wooden stamps. My favorite technique now, I use wood as the medium for my dremel carved stamp that is later transfered onto the medium of my choice.  My latest work for exampls is the stamp of my mothers face, stamped onto her old music book sheets.  She was the inspiration for my Art Basel show this year.

 All of my inspiration comes from my heart and I believe, that is where the power is. I can't make art just to make it, to me it has to have more meaning behind it. Art is very powerful in itself and can be used  to allow growth and freedom in such a regulated world. I believe art can spread a positive message to remind people what life is really about. Even just the conversations in the studio can be very healing, let alone the art work.  Art in a way has always been therapy for me, because looking back, it is almost like each series i did was a stamp of my soul at that time.

  Now, it is bringing me to healing art therapy with kids. Art allows a child to express their emotions. It allows them to open up  with out fear of being shut down or rejected. It provides a safe place for them to release what ever negativity is holidng on in their lives while encouraging their inner world of love and imagination to stay lit. As we get older our own innocence seems to dwindle it seems.

I have seen people with everything but yet they feal empty and alone, clueless as to what they were searching for from the get go.  Art allows one to leave their suit at the door and dive into a world with no boundaries, no limits, just highlights of a smile from somewhere deep within.