Felicia Feldman was born on November 1, 1984, in Daegu (formerly Taegu), South Korea. Felicia has a master’s in fine arts (painting) from the New York Academy of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (painting) from the Maryland Institute College of Art. During school, she completed a number of Independent studies and classes with renowned artists Odd Nerdrum, Steven Assael, Vincent Desiderio and Alan Feltus. She has taught at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art for 12 years. She also teaches at Rowayton Arts Center. She currently resides in Greenwich, CT.

Recent shows include the following:  

• Mark Twain Library Show (1st place winner), Redding, CT
• Faces and Figures 2022, Stamford, CT
• Hues of Freedom, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, Norwalk, CT
• 2022 CWA National Juried Exhibition- West Hartford, CT

• Studio Gallery (solo exhibition, 80% sold), Glen Cove, NY
• Spring Juried Exhibition, Rowayton Arts Center, Norwalk, CT

Website: www.Feliciafeldmanfineart.com

What initially compelled you to pursue art?  

I’ve always had a drive to create and express. Investigation into the unconscious, Magical Realism and simply creating something beautiful is my main purpose for making art. I have been involved in many forms of art in my lifetime, from playing music to dance and acting.  

Who or what in your life influences your practice the most?  

For me, inspiration is solitude and reverie. I often have a hard time falling asleep for the night, so I work on connecting the everyday events I’ve experienced. Using those, I create “what if” scenarios using elements of the surreal and fantastic.  

What do you feel is the key concept that connects your works?  

Being an adoptee from a different country, most of my current works involve dual personalities. The person I have become, and the person I could’ve become if I had remained in Korea. I’m also interested in the broader idea of doppelgangers. What emotions we experience if we saw a complete stranger with our face, and how would we want to interact with them.

Tell us about a moment that ultimately made you look at your art and/or practice differently.

After graduating college, I stopped making any art for eight years. I felt burnt out, and had nothing to say. I needed to live life a little bit! I still taught art, but did not create. My students were mainly in high school, getting ready for their college portfolio applications. I found inspiration again through them. They are so curious, constantly trying to find themselves through a blend of technique and expression.

What does your art give you that nothing else can?

Before, when working outside of my field, it was hard to drag myself out of the house and interact with others. Every day as an artist, I wake up and want to create. I want to interact with my students and peers to share in something I’m excited to talk about.