Artist Statement:

Having degrees in psychology and studio art, my work marries the two different, but related disciplines. In the realm of psychology, there is a research study called Meaning Threat, which exposes people to something that fundamentally does not make sense. It challenges their beliefs or preconceived notions by disrupting their thought process and emotional balance; which in theory, drives the brain to look for stability through patterns. My artwork seeks to achieve a level of Meaning Threat by provoking mental or emotional confusion for the viewer, to show them things are rarely what they seem. This is attained through illustrative twists on childhood tales, deranged surrealistic paintings ghoulish good-natured creatures, and relief prints of serial killers. Each medium encompasses its own aesthetics and cerebral stimulation.
Being a mixed media artist gives me the freedom to choose the medium that is most visually suited to the composition and “threat” being portrayed. Traditionally, the psychological depiction in artwork comes from the artist’s cognitive state during the art making process, and the viewer interprets the mental and emotional voice of the artist. However, in my work the emotional experience is skewed, the art does not depict my cognitive state; but instead challenges the viewer’s own mental and emotional preconceived notions.  
​

Artist Bio:

Tasirna Kitsune is the founder of Kitsune Illustrations, and a mixed media artist. She was born in Melbourne, Florida, calls the upper state of South Carolina home, and made her way to Tennessee, via Georgia, in 2010. Both of her parents are artistically inclined, following suit, Tasirna took an interest in art at an early age by participating in art classes throughout grade school. After grade school, she took a hiatus from school and traditional art, during this time she brought her artistic talents to the hair world as a Cosmetologist. Ultimately, she could not resist the call of traditional art, and returned to school and earning a BFA in Painting and BS in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, while continuing to enjoy the medium of “painting” hair.

As a student, Tasirna coordinated shows in the Todd Student Gallery of MTSU, Faces of Art and Repeat Offenders, and helped organize the local fandom conventions of Akicon, Middle Tennessee Anime Convention, and Geek Media Expo. Her artwork has been exhibited in numerous shows, such as Temporary Memories exhibit at the Murfree Art Gallery in Murfreesboro, TN and the 5th Annual FIVE by FIVE exhibit in the Tampa Museum of Art Gallery in Tampa, FL.  Tasirna’s work utilizes illustrative and fantastical imagery to explore the psychology of meaning threat, and the reality that things are rarely how they seem.

 

Resume:



Education:
​
  • 2013-2018     
    • ​Bachelor of Fine Arts Painting (BFA) and Psychology (BS), Middle Tennessee State University,       Murfreesboro, TN

  • 2008-2010 
    •  Associate's Degree Personal Service and Cosmetology, Athens Technical College, Athens, GA

​Art Affiliated Experience:

  • 2015-2018          
    • ​Assistant Director of Industry, Akaicon Fandom Convention, Nashville, TN
  • 2018
    • ​Exhibition Organizer, Repeat Offenders, Solo Exhibition, Spring, Art Department, MTSU Todd Building, Murfreesboro, TN
  • 2017
    • ​Exhibition Organizer, Faces of Art, Group Exhibition,Fall, Art Department, MTSU Todd Building, Murfreesboro, TN
  • 2016-2018
    • ​Woodshop Studio Monitor, Art Department, MTSU Todd Building, Murfreesboro, TN                   
    • Photo Crib Attendant, Photography Department, MTSU McFarland Building, Murfreesboro, TN
    • Art Department Representative, Student Advisory Board, College of Liberal Arts, MTSU,                       Murfreesboro, TN  
  • 2011-2015   
    •  Main Events Room Manager, Geek Media Expo, Nashville, TN
  • 2010-2015   
    • ​Japanese Culture Coordinator, Middle Tennessee Anime Convention, Nashville, TN
  • 2009-2011   
    • ​Human Resources Personnel, Anime Weekend Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Selected Exhibitions:​
  • 2018
    • ​
    • Boro Art Crawl, Murfreesboro Towne Square, Autumn, Murfreesboro, TN

    • Boro Art Crawl, Murfreesboro Towne Square, Summer, Murfreesboro, TN

    • Boro Art Crawl, Murfreesboro Towne Square, Spring, Murfreesboro, TN

    • Repeat Offenders, Solo Exhibition, Spring, Art Department, MTSU Todd Building, Murfreesboro, TN

    • Boro Art Crawl, Murfreesboro Towne Square, Winter, Murfreesboro, TN​
  • 2017
    • Boro Art Crawl, Murfreesboro Towne Square, Autumn, Murfreesboro, TN

    • ​Faces of Art, Group Exhibition, MTSU Student Gallery, Fall, Murfreesboro, TN

    • MTSU Exhibit, Group Exhibition, MTSU Arts Gallery, Spring, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Murfreesboro, TN

    • Temporary Memories, Group Exhibition, Murfree Art Gallery, Spring, Murfreesboro, TN

    • MTSU Arts Patrons Reception, Group Exhibition, College of Liberal Arts MTSU, Spring, Murfreesboro, TN

    • MTSU Collage Journal of Creative Expression, Honors College, Issue 25, Spring, Murfreesboro, TN                
    • 12th Annual Celebratory Collage Reception, Group Exhibition, Honors College MTSU, Spring, Murfreesboro, TN  
    •                               
    • Something like this but Better, Group Exhibition, Elephant Gallery, Spring, Nashville, TN

  • 2016​
    • Bob’s Burger Booty Show, Group Exhibition, MTSU Student Gallery, Murfreesboro, TN                                    
    • Migration with Dignity in Middle Tennessee, Group Exhibition, Heritage Center of Rutherford County, Murfreesboro, TN 
    •                                   
    • 5th Annual FIVE by FIVE, Group Exhibition, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, FL 
    •    
    • MTSU Collaborations Exhibit, Group Exhibition, Murfree Art Gallery, Fall, Murfreesboro, TN

    • MTSU Collage Journal of Creative Expression, Honors College, Issue 24, Fall, Murfreesboro, TN

    • MTSU Arts Patron reception, Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building’s Studio Theatre, Fall, Murfreesboro, TN

  • 2015​​​
    • MTSU Juried Student Exhibition, Juror Robert Durham, Group Exhibition, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Murfreesboro, TN

Academic Awards:

  • 2017-2018     
    • ​TSAC Grant, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN
    • ​
  • 2013-2016     
    • ​Tennessee Lottery Scholarship, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN
  •                     
  • 2008-2010  
    • ​Georgia Lottery Scholarship, Athens Technical College, Athens, GA