Garrett Porter
Artist Bio
I’m Garrett Porter, an artist based in Northern California whose work explores the intersection of spirituality, geometry, and abstract visual language. Drawing has been part of my life since early childhood and deepened through four years of high school art, including two personally chosen AP courses, followed by several years of university-level drawing study. I hold a degree in Linguistics from Concordia University in Montréal, Canada, which helped shape my curiosity about systems of meaning and perception. I also experience synesthesia, a blending of the senses that allows me to perceive colour and spatial forms in music. This sensory interweaving deepens my creative process, offering glimpses into a layered reality that bridges the internal and external worlds. My reserved yet inquisitive nature guides my exploration of the unseen, the mysterious, and the intricately beautiful. Through both visual art and written reflection, including an occasional blog, I share my interest in perception, spirituality, and the deeper structures of experience that lie beneath the surface of everyday life.
Artist Statement
My art emerges from a place of deep mindfulness and presence, where I engage with the world in a serene and introspective manner. In this state, the hypnosis of everyday fades, and I become aware of the subtle details around and within me. My process centres on letting subjects reveal themselves rather than actively seeking them out, revealing a deeper understanding of my own presence.
The focus of my current work lies in the art of drawing, where I explore the relationship of geometric form, repetition, and colour. My drawing technique consists of creating complex grids in pencil and finalising them with ink. I intend to create intricate, vibrant compositions that capture both the essence of my experiences and spiritual curiosities. My past artworks have included a variety of other media such as acrylic, pencil, chalk pastel, and digital tools.
I honour and treasure my connection to nature for its role in my creativity. It has been fostered by my childhood exploring the Northern California coastal landscapes, oftentimes alone. Moving to Montréal, Canada in 2015 for my university studies led me to reflect on the freedom and inspiration derived from natural environments within a rigid, urban environment. Returning to Northern California in 2021, I continue to further explore the intricate layers of perception through my curious spirit.
I aim to create art that conveys a breadth of sensory experiences, inviting viewers to engage with the world in a new and reflective way. Through detailed and vibrant drawings, I seek to offer a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of both the external and internal realms of perception.