biography
AVM Hawkins (b. New Orleans 1985) is an American contemporary fine artist of Creole descent, living in Houston, Texas. AVM is an abstract expressionist, who intuitively uses color, contrast and movement to evoke emotion, while affixing mixed materials, verbiage and several painted layers to lure the viewer deeper into her work. AVM dances between the usage of color filled freehand patterns and fluid gestural improvisations that bridge the two worlds of form and abstraction, allowing space for exploration and fortuity.
“I gravitate to certain materials subconsciously and apply them impulsively, possessed with a sparked conviction to act without excessive contemplation. Each painting will reveal a specific personality, an individualized self and message. I may have an idea or inspiration of where I would like to go with a painting, but the path always unfolds before me, leaving me vulnerable and open for the opportunity of a divine detour. The final destination is always unknown to me, which excites and scares me.”
AVM uses many layers of various mixed media to transform the physicality of the canvas into a relic exuding a sense of history, decay and energy. This transmutation becomes an embodiment of stored intentions, inspirations, moods, emotions, ideas, that become a visual expression, that once observed, experienced, interpreted, form an exchange of consciousness equating to art.
AVM Hawkins was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. In August 2005, after losing all of her personal belongings from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, AVM relocated to Houston, Texas to continue her undergraduate education at the University of Houston. In 2009, AVM obtained her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston. However, during her final year of undergrad, she regretted that she did not major in art. She ignored these thoughts, but pursued her love for art by working part-time at the Gite Gallery in Houston’s Historic Third Ward and by dabbling in art as a hobby through painting on small canvases, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. In the Fall of 2009, AVM was admitted into Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Ironically, in law school, AVM not only learned the practice of law, she also learned how to be an artist. The personal and mental commitment to pursue a law degree--- utilizing solely her analytical logical linear left-side of her brain, day in and day out, seven days a week, created a vacuum within in her soul. It was during AVM’s mid-1L year in law school, where she experienced a breakthrough. AVM decided to channel and release all of her fears, insecurities, self-doubt, stress, and anxiety onto the canvases. Due to this experience, AVM discovered how to create art by following her natural instincts, loving herself without conditions, without judgment, and without an attachment to the outcome. Once AVM embraced her need to create art, the resistance she felt in law school dissipated. AVM interned at the Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy, Inc. (“ECI”) as a legal intern in their Pro Bono Property clinic during her 2L and 3L year of law school. In 2012, AVM was admitted into the Texas Bar and continued her work at ECI as their staff attorney. After a grueling juried / interview process, AVM was admitted as a 2018 Fellow in the prestigious John Ross Palmer’s Escapism Art Mentorship Program, where AVM created, showed, and sold her art full-time during evenings and weekends, while practicing law. AVM dedicated 2018 to transition into living her life’s dream to becoming a successful, professional artist. In July 2019, AVM transitioned from her law practice to becoming a full-time artist. AVM specializes in custom created and large scale abstract paintings, perfect for curating elegant walls with beautiful, awe-inspiring meaningful art. AVM’s art can be viewed and purchased, online at www.avmhawkins.com. For inquiries, call or text AVM at 713.487.9685 or email at AVMHawkinsArt@gmail.com.
CV
ACADEMIC HISTORY
Artist INC. Houston, Mid-America Arts Alliance, facilitated by Fresh Arts 2020
Texas State Bar, 2012
Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Juris Doctorate 2012
University of Houston, Bachelors of Arts Business Administration 2009
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Enter, Mid Main Gallery, Houston, Texas
2022 Impetus, Mid Main Gallery, Houston, Texas
2021 Alchemy, John Palmer Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
2021 Homecoming, John Palmer Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
2018 Love Life, John Palmer Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Goddess, Reeves Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
2021 Deux, John Palmer Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
2021 Triad, John Palmer Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
2019 Art for Hope - Children’s Assessment Center, Houston, Texas
2019 Inspiritus II – Sawyer Yards, Houston, Texas
2019 Trez Art & Wine – Bisong Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
2018 Escapism Graduation Group Show, Houston, Texas
2017 Art Crawl, Mother Dog Studios, Houston, Texas
AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES
2021 John Ross Palmer Escapism Residency
2018 John Ross Palmer Escapism Residency