Averi’s Process

Creativity In Motion

Working with oils, acrylics, pencil, and charcoal, Averi brings paintings to life.

Montana Artist Averi Iris holds two paintbrushes outstretched toward the viewer.

Inspired by everything around her

"Inspiration isn't just personal; it's unexpected. I stay open to beautiful things, places, and experiences — and when you look for beauty, you start to see it everywhere. For me, it might be the sky at sunset, or the glowing light on the side of a mountain, or the way a bear cub nestles into the safety of its mother. It might also be something out of the blue, even in urban environments — like a funky-colored car parked up against a painted building, or a pop of pink in a bouquet of flowers. It could be anything. But when you see it, you know, because it makes you feel something."

Once the painting begins

Artist Averi Iris holds her hands up to show her fingers covered in paint.

"I'm either painting something with sentimental or personal meaning or painting something that I find especially beautiful or fascinating — my subject matter ranges from things with visual appeal, to causes whose messages need to be seen or heard. When I paint people, places, or animals that I know others have their own connection to, I know there's a tenderness there, so my hope is to be both very respectful to the subject matter as well as to those who have known or loved them.

Averi Iris holds her paint palette in a field of flowers.

I begin with the uniqueness of the subject, and I love the adventure of bringing it to life — where does the piece want to go? Sometimes, I shift gears partway through a painting, creating a new sweep of background or new palette, starting fresh. I incorporate bright, highly saturated colors, intertwining them with a balance of more neutral or realistic tones. The sky is always something I'll make my own, adding colors, adding my own twist on things. That's something I love — otherwise, what's the difference between a painting and a picture?"

For Averi, in a sense, the process is ongoing and unending, as she hopes each painting takes on a life of its own in the eyes of the viewer.

 "I don't want my work to be something that just fills the space on the wall. I want it to matter to you. I want you to make your own meaning."

NEW ORIGINAL
NEW ORIGINAL
NEW ORIGINAL
NEW ORIGINAL
NEW ORIGINAL
NEW ORIGINAL

"Untamed"

Completed in 2023.

Previous Work in Progress.
Previous Work in Progress.
Previous Work in Progress.

"The Stories Inside"

"Beyond"