Today we’d like to introduce you to Kianna Imani Dean.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
After struggling many years with depression and anxiety, I had come to a very confusing place questioning my existence and my purpose in life. I wondered how and why I as an individual had been burdened with such a heaviness so early in my life and what it all meant. I arrived at the realization that the twice a week psychologist and psychiatrist visits weren’t sufficing and that antidepressants along with anti-anxiety and insomnia medications were no longer my route of healing. I wanted to find a better way and that’s when art settled in a little more. At the time I was studying psychology at Broward College. Through desperately seeking an outlet for understanding what was going on in my own mind I began painting again as well as gardening. It was this avenue that then sparked my interest in art therapy and eco therapy. as I was drawn to the healing powers of art and the effortless harmony it had with nature. I then started my brand ‘Flora of Hope’ as a platform to share my expression of art and my love of art and nature. Flora of hope allows me to share my story through art and inspire, encourage and uplift all those that I encounter through holistic methods of healing.
Please tell us about your art.
I create home and garden art pieces that reflect healing, growth and resilience. I do this by incorporating nature in all of my art work. whether it be painting a Terra-cotta pot for a lovely air purifying house plant or perhaps writing notes of gratitude on dried sea grape leaves and releasing them back to mother earth as a humbling group activity. I sell some art pieces as well as do activities at events and volunteer in various capacities.
Last year I have traveled to Haiti to visit a children’s home in the town of Arcahaie to facilitate art activities and projects with the children. This experience was so humbling and inspiring that recently I have started exploring the fields eco-art and using natural materials such as sand, rocks, twigs, branches, leaves. shells etc. to create art. This revelation came while I was leaving Haiti, as I recognized that my time volunteering had been of impact to the children, however in the same thought I realized that much of the materials used such as paints, paint brushes, construction paper, crayons were not readily available to the children on a day to day basis. I thought that if they were to use art as a form of release, expression and growth then perhaps I needed to present this in a more sustainable way.
With that being said I am in the process of diving deeper into the nature arts and expanding my work with natural materials. In doing so I wish to share even further the elements of healing, release and reflection of self for everyone that I may encounter.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I myself am still trying to find that happy place within the art community. With mixing such unconventional paths of art, botany/ecology/nature and psychology, I often wonder where my art stands on a scale with other artist and their art. Most of the art I encounter is done for presentation realism and accuracy, while the art that I gravitate more towards is for expression and healing. I believe the key to connecting with other artist and humanity in general is to embrace yourself and your art fully. Be as you as you can be and others doing the same will gravitate towards you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.floraofhope.com/about
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Floraofhope
- Facebook: @Floraofhope
Image Credit:
Kianna Imani Dean.
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
