Arts Corner
Arts Corner – Riverside Artswalk – Artist Spotlight: Niniane Selene
Contributed by Rachael Dzikonski, Executive Director, Riverside Arts Council
Spring is in the air; orange blossoms are blooming, and Downtown is bustling with new restaurants and so many arts and culture events. April is California’s Arts, Culture & Creativity month and our Arts & Culture District has the month packed full of celebrations for the community. We have the Riverside Arts Council’s Mayor’s Ball for the Arts on April 5th at the Culver Center of the Arts to present awards to local artists for their impact in the community; the Riverside Art Alliance’s Annual Riverside Art Market on April 12th at White Park; and the Riverside Insect Fair on April 26th at the Downtown Main Library. Of course we start the month off with the monthly Riverside Artswalk on April 3rd throughout the Downtown core at the galleries and museums as well as Artists on Main Street. This month, our Artist Spotlight is Niniane Selene, an artisan vendor who has been at Riverside Artswalk’s Artists on Main every month for the last 4 years.
Niniane is a watercolor and mixed media artist who was born in Northern California ,and for the last 5 years has lived in Riverside. Niniane has been creating art since she was 14 years old, and she is currently living her dream of working as a full-time artist. Creating art gives her life fulfillment in many ways; as an outlet for personal expression, a way to connect with people, a source of income, and ultimately a practice that gives her a sense of purpose and brings her happiness. She spends 10 to 40 hours every week creating art. Niniane’s process starts with a lot of sketching to find ideas, followed by meticulous drawing with a pen until the piece is ready to paint with watercolor and gouache to produce a finished piece. Each painting takes anywhere from a day to a few weeks to complete.
Niniane’s goal with pursuing art is to live authentically and have a positive impact on others. Artists have an important role in shaping what is seen as beautiful and valuable in the world. The content we create impacts how we see ourselves and each other. Niniane’s artwork is inspired by observing nature and reading fantasy stories. She is fascinated by the magic of our natural world and the creativity of human minds. Niniane showcases her adoration for life through depictions of plants, animals, and fairies. She has shown her work in galleries and events throughout the Inland Empire. During her time living in and participating in the local art scene, she has gained skills and confidence from being surrounded by so many people who appreciate the arts. She has found a very kind and uplifting community through participating in the arts in Riverside.
For more information about Niniane and her artwork, visit @selene_scapes on IG or www.selenescapes.com. For more information on Riverside Artswalk visit www.riversideartswalk.com or @riversideartswalk on IG
