Remembering Amber

"We never truly get over a loss, but we can move forward and evolve from it."—Elizabeth Berrien

My good friend Amber was into visual arts. She died twenty years ago. If she was alive, she would be a huge fan of Kara Walker, Vanessa Teodoro and Allison Torneros. Men still dominate today's art scene, but a lot of female artists are forcing a change in the way the world sees women in art. In honor of Amber, I made a list of six works by six female contemporary artists (6 was Amber's favorite number) that we would buy if we had a lot of money, or steal if we intended a reenactment of The Thomas Crown Affair.

This trippy self portrait by Erina Matsui. Does she take psychedelics? I mean, look at her work. Born in Okayama, Erina often exaggerates and distorts her features. She sometimes becomes an enigmatic figure among planets and stars or a mythical being emerging from a cloud of shrooms.

This piece by Eugenia Alcaide. Ginny is an artist from the Philippines known for her layered silkscreens. Though created with thread, the lines look like intricate drawings with three-dimensional feel. Delicate but captivating.

The Discovery by Helena Hauss. The Parisian illustrator uses ballpoint pens to create large drawings with incredible detail. I really like the vivid and contrasted colors of her compositions, which depict teenage lust and other mischief.

Wedding by Zoey Frank. Artfully arranged and crafted, I could stare at this for hours. Born in Boulder, Colorado, Zoey completed four years of classical atelier training under Juliette Aristides at Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, and obtained an MFA in painting from Laguna College of Art and Design. She has received numerous awards and has exhibited in galleries across the United States and Europe.

This Darth Vader sculpture by Freya Jobbins. The Australian artist specializes in making dismembered toys into treasures, and this beautiful piece is constructed from hundreds of Barbie hands, ears and other doll trimmings.

Crowded by Lui Gonzales. Sometimes I like to see illustrations that interweave and overlap all over each other. But this is something different. Lui creates fascinating art pieces by drawing, layering and eventually tearing them. The result is a riotous, visual feast.

I miss you, Amber. You may be gone, but you'll never be forgotten.