Here at SAD Mag, we’re looking back at the talented artists we featured for our 2021 Artists of the Month. In celebration of the learning and inspiration they shared, we’re including one quote from their story that stood out and made us reflect this year.

2021 started off with Métis multidisciplinary artist Kaija Heitland: “I think that art for me is the consistent thread that runs through everything. Through my work. Through my study and my interests. Through my interpersonal relationships. Art really is that binding tie. It’s the way I can make sense of everything if I just look at it artistically.”

We then found calm with artist Arty Guava: “I really needed an outlet to manage my stress and anxiety and all the things I’m feeling. I channel all that into my illustration to create hopeful and uplifting imagery for myself. It’s my own self-therapy.”

Multidisciplinary artist Ariella Ilona Horvath shared her motto, Always Forward Never Back: “The idea essentially is that we’re always moving towards something, and if you fail from something, you still learn from it…if you don’t try, you can’t move forward.”

While illustrator, painter, and animator Jess Stanley brought insight into inclusive, accessible art: “You don’t need to fit into the idea of what an artist is. You don’t need to have a fancy studio or do crazy big things; you can just have a pencil case.”

Things then got steamy with artist Andre Barnwell’s erotic art brand Sex and Sandwiches: “I had to ask myself, what is something I could talk about forever? And not just forever, but what is diverse enough that in case I get bored of one aspect of it, what else can I get into? And so, sex was that thing.”

Afro-Latinx queer artist Erick M. Ramos showed us how creating worlds through his art can suggest the possibilities of a better inclusive future: “…it’s just fun to be like, ‘I can make this black woman be this magical person, or I can put a nonbinary person in a business illustration.’ I know that seeing myself in that way when other people make things is great for me. Also, giving that to other people is exciting where I’m not necessarily putting a ceiling on what can or can’t be done.”

We followed our restless passions with multidisciplinary artist Jason Bempong’s art and fashion brand Sleepless Mindz: “I think with what I’m doing, it’s me just trying to express myself, and I feel like with my success that it’s a sign or confirmation that anybody can do this. If you’re passionate about something, there’s a reason that you’re here to do that. It’s your purpose.”

Things got a little spooky with tattoo and print artist Ariane Lapointe’s ghost club: “What I’m attracted to is adapting minimalist art from fantasy and surrealism that’s inspired by reality. It’s nice to escape from what we always see. The goal in my art is always to do something a bit weirder or more interesting than what we see in real life.”

French artist Jérôme Berthier helped us conclude the year in introspection: “I’d like my art to illuminate the universal truths of purpose, fear, and growth that we all have as human beings.”

After reflecting at the end of 2021, what have you FOUND within yourself, in the special memories of this year, in this unique, everchanging world?

Celebrate with us at our FOUND Issue launch party on December 11th and 12th. Details here.