About Me
! KIA ORA ! My name is Ari.
I am a multi-media artist who works in a variety of mediums including, but not limited to photography, illustration, sculpture, film, and much more. For the vast majority of my life, I knew I was destined to be an artist. My earliest memories are of a baby me doodling away on the walls of my family's apartment.
My artistic influences are as vast as the sea. I take inspiration from all works, incorporating what I like into new interesting and ultimately fresh creations. Chief among these inspirations are the deep politically subversive messaging of the underground hip-hop scene of the 80s - 00s and the brash in-your-face punk-attitude of skater-stoner adjacent media. That isn't to say other pieces of media & popular culture have not influenced media - other key influences that have come to define who I am now include: cosmic horror & weird fiction, vintage & analog technologies, horror in general, fast-paced & action-packed games, and layer comedic whit all come to mind.
Intersectionality has come define much of my work both as an artist and as a political activist. I am proudly transgender, non-binary, pansexual, hispanic, and neurodivergent. Only by embracing my true identity can I really and truly say that - I am me. I am my open and honest self. Unapologetic-ally so. Brash and ready to start a (metaphorical) riot. No, I won't hide who I am. I refuse to be silenced and forced back into the closet I fought so hard to escape from.
In line with my own personal journey of self-discovery, I've come to commiserate and empathize with others who feel similar. I fight for others and help those in need wherever I can. I frequently help out charity fundraisers in the gaming communities I'm in. Whether as a participant in any activities required of me or as an organizer and host of the fundraiser. I'm proud to have contributed in some way to helping those in need.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCES
High School Diploma, Cum Laude
Oakland Mills High School
08.2017 - 06.2021: Graduating Class of 2021.
Oakland Mills High School
08.2017 - 06.2021: Graduating Class of 2021.
Promoted to Chief Master Sergeant in the AF-JROTC Program
Oakland Mills High School
Years Active: 2017-2020.
Oakland Mills High School
Years Active: 2017-2020.
Associate's Degree - General Studies, Cum Laude
Howard Community College
01.2024 - 05.2024: Graduating Class of 2024.
Howard Community College
01.2024 - 05.2024: Graduating Class of 2024.
Bachelor's of Fine Arts - Design
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
08.2024 - PRESENT: Graduating Class of 2026-27.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
08.2024 - PRESENT: Graduating Class of 2026-27.
Live Performer (1st Tenor) & Ticket-person
WBAL Concert for Kids: Annual Charity Fundraiser
Years Active: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
WBAL Concert for Kids: Annual Charity Fundraiser
Years Active: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
Project Lead & Art Director
Fortress Faceoffs - TF2 eSports Community Group
11.2020 - PRESENT.
Fortress Faceoffs - TF2 eSports Community Group
11.2020 - PRESENT.
Social Media & Promotions Intern
Howard Community College, Office of Student Life
08.2022 - 05.2024.
Howard Community College, Office of Student Life
08.2022 - 05.2024.
Cashier
Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & Fries
02.2024 - PRESENT.
Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & Fries
02.2024 - PRESENT.
STOCK-2 Associate / TA
Walmart, Inc.
07.2020 - 01.2022
Walmart, Inc.
07.2020 - 01.2022
Elder Care & Assistance
Individual Volunteering Opportunity
2015 - PRESENT.
Individual Volunteering Opportunity
2015 - PRESENT.
ADDENDUM
I thought it was important for me to list out of different people, groups, and ideas that have inspired me. This list will continue to grow as I age.
00s cynicism, 60s Hippies, 70s Disco, 80s Nostalgia, 90s Fashion, Aaron Paul, Action, Adam Driver, Adam West, Aesthetics, Akira Toriyama, Alan Moore, Alfred Hitchcock, American Dream, Andy Warhol, Anthony McCall, Black Comedy, Black Lives Matter, Black Panthers, Blaxplotation, Brian Yuzna, Bryan Cranston, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Carolee Schneemann, Cassidy Scott, Charlene Von Heyl, Comedic Horror, Communism, Cormac McCarthy, Cosmic Horror, Dario Argento, Dark Comedy, David Lenier, David Lynch, David Mack, Denzel Washington, DnB, Douglas Adams, Duane Michals, Early Internet, Edgar Wright, Erin Hunter, Ernst Caramelle, Extreme Marketing, Fantasy, Fight the Power, Frank Miller, Free Palestine, Funk, Garage, Genndy Tartakovsky, George Lucas, George Orwell, Giallo, Grace Lin, Graffiti, Grunge, Guy Ben Ner, H.P. Lovecraft, Hardcore, Harlan Ellison, Henri Matisse, Hirohiko Araki, Hiromi Arakawa, Horror, House, Hugh Laurie, Ian McKellen, Ilkka Villi, J.G. Quentel, J.R.R Tolkien, JRPGs, Jack Black, Jack Kirby, James Cameron, James Gandalfini, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jazz, Jeffery Combs, Jhonen Vasquez, John Byrne, John Cage, John Carpenter, John Cho, John R. Dilworth, Jon Favreau, Jungle, Kal Penn, Keanu Reeves, Keith David, Kevin Conroy, Kevin Smith, Lars Von Trier, Laura Bailey, Liam O'Brien, Martin Campbell, Martin Luther King Jr., Mary Pope Osborne, Maya Angelou, Metal, Michael Ackerman, Michael Cera, Michael Kenna, Mick Mignola, Microsoft, Nam June Paik, Naphtali Faulkner, Netscape, Nick Sousanis, Nintendo, Occupy Wall-Street, Old School Hip Hop, Paul Verhoeven, Pendelton Ward, Peter Farelly, Photography, Pipolotti Rist, Pop, Punk, Quentin Taratino, RPGs, Rap, Rave, Ray Bradberry, Retro, Retrowave, Richard Steven Horvitz, Robert W. Chambers, Sam Lake, Sam Riami, Sci-Fi, Sega, Seth McFarland, Seth Rogan, Shinichi Watanabe, Ska, Skate Culture, Socialism, Sony, Stan Lee, Stanley Kubrik, Stephen Spielberg, Surf Rock, Tara Strong, Tim Burton, Tom Kenny, Tony Sirico, Tony Todd, Trance, Vivian Maier, Weird Fiction, Wes Anderson, Wes Craven, William Shakespeare, World Wide Web, Y2K, Yoko Ono, Zach Hadel, anti-establishment, brutalism...
Res Ipsa Loquitur.
Thank you for submitting your message!
We'll get back to you soon.
We'll get back to you soon.