From chalk art to painting murals around the world and participating in competitions, Naomi Haverland has made quite the name for herself through her many creative pieces. Originally from Denver, Colorado, this Florida-based muralist plays with a multitude of mediums and mixed media elements. Through these, she creates large intricately designed art that immerses you in her creative mind. Consequently, her work promotes a unique creative view on the world.
Naomi’s hyper-realism work is absolutely stunning, drawing on the viewer’s expectations and breaking them in all the right ways. Despite being drawn in 2D mediums, each piece is as 3D as it comes. It seems to be staring right back at you while you stare in awe. The anamorphic illusions create breathtaking visuals using bright colors and empty wall space. For example, looking up at the highest point of a building, you might think the drawn person is really leaning out of the window holding an origami bird. Similarly, you might think the perspective of the chained fish really makes it ready to flop around.
On your next visit to FloridaRAMA, take a detour and witness one of Naomi’s masterful pieces at the St. Pete Pier! Find one of her latest works featuring a ring of plankton crucial to Tampa Bay’s ecosystem. In collaboration with Tampa Bay Watch’s Pier Discovery Center, she grabbed a ladder and took to the Pier. She then spent days capturing the tiny species in a vibrant oceanic display.
Naomi doesn’t remember when she began painting, only that she’s been doing it all her life. Her creativity knew no bounds, though, and she first picked up a piece of chalk in 2011. From there, her work soared, decorating sidewalks, streets and walls. These were based on commissions she’s done for Harley Davidson, Blick Art Supply, Amazon, Microsoft and even Skittles. For instance, invites to international art festivals have reached her all the way from countries such as Canada, Mexico and even Germany! Naomi’s fabulous chalk art has earned her seven awards at the Denver Chalk Festival. This is a yearly event featuring hundreds of chalk artists who take to the streets and create fabulous drawings. When she isn’t messing with chalk, Naomi experiments with oil painting during the summer months.
As a mother, Naomi balances her parental duties and artistic calling through blending them together and creates a life where she has the best of all worlds. Like most artists, though, Naomi struggles with inspiration. Similarly to finding a balance between family and art, she has developed her own unique method of working around art block.
“The best strategy seems to be thinking really hard, getting really stressed out, then giving up and walking away from it, pushing it completely out of my mind, going to sleep a few times, and then usually the idea will suddenly appear.”
Gift Shop Appearance
FloridaRAMA introduces Naomi Haverland’s work to the Tourist Trap gift shop on October 1st in anticipation of another great monthly artist feature. As a museum promoting local artists, FloridaRAMA seeks those who inspire others to do great things. Additionally, Naomi’s anamorphic illusions create a viewing experience never seen before.
Naomi’s collection features eight different painting designs dazzling wooden boards. The vibrant colors jump out from the painting and pop under the light. A unique resin varnish coats the top and seals the paint within.
No collection is complete without stickers and Naomi Haverland’s is no different. Her stickers evoke intrigue and curiosity thanks to the innate “strangeness” of them, qualities that promote thought and teach guests how to appreciate the new and different. For example, from an incredibly detailed pear with a realistic mouth screaming from the side to a mixed piece with three different elements combined into one, Naomi takes chalk art she’s done at various festivals and turned them into digital sticker formats for guests to take home. Now you, too, can enjoy the joys of chalk with a sticker perfect for your laptop, water bottle or even desk!
Can’t Make It In-Person? Buy Online!
If you can’t come in-person, don’t worry; Naomi’s works will be on FloridaRAMA’s Tourist Trap gift shop and will be available for online purchase and shipping! Onsite or curbside pickup is also offered. Naomi’s art will be featured and available for purchase beginning October 1st.
Plan Your Visit
The FloridaRAMA gift shop (Tourist Trap) is open to the public and does not require purchase of admission. The Tourist Trap also features other artist-made works and goods, all available for purchase to support the local creative community.
Artist of the Month is an artist feature program highlighting the brilliant works of local artists who bring a new view to the artistic world. Each month, one artist receives a special spot in the gift shop to display, sell and promote their work. Additionally, they have the opportunity to collaborate with FloridaRAMA on future projects. FloridaRAMA seeks to elevate artists with unique creative visions and promote critical thinking skills in onlookers. This keeps the art community alive and thriving.
FloridaRAMA is a fully indoor interactive art museum featuring over 85+ artists. The museum is family-friendly and weird in all the right ways, immersive and drawing guests in to open their minds and explore a new kind of whacky. FloridaRAMA is open daily with rotating artist features in the Tourist Trap.
