Arien Reed (he/they)
Fine Artist, Muralist, Commission Artist
Email:
Location:
Yosemite Mountain Area & Central Valley, CA (U.S.)
Media:
Acrylic, oil, ink, watercolor, spray paint, charcoal
Subjects:
Portraits, Figurative Compositions, Animals, Landscapes, Plants/Flowers
Artist Statement
I am a mixed media artist whose paintings, drawings, and murals speak to the experiences unique to gender-diverse people and to the need for marginalized communities to be understood, valued, and respected so we, too, can live long, happy, and fulfilling lives. I believe art has the power to raise awareness about gender diversity and trans culture, to humanize trans folks in the eyes of cisgender observers, and to encourage love, learning, and unity. I want my art to be a space where people less knowledgeable about the trans community can self-educate, and where my fellow trans folks can feel seen and beautiful.
Artist Bio
I began drawing and painting as early as I can remember, and continued to draw throughout my life with support from my mom, who even worked hard to pay for several art classes from local artists when I was a child. During my transition, I began drawing figures from trans history to encourage myself to see trans people (and thus, myself) as beautiful and worthy. When my friends began to see value in my art, so did I, and thanks to their encouragement, I began to sell prints and educate myself. My education in drawing began with three dozen books on art techniques recommended by professional artists and teachers. My education on painting and marketing/business began with YouTube tutorials and books, and progressed to online art classes taught by Kirsty Partridge and the Milan Art Institute. I currently have artwork on permanent exhibition at StylistMis (Fresno's first ever strands-for-trans hair salon), and have completed dozens of commissioned murals and fine artworks. When not making art, I write fiction novels featuring trans characters, write poetry about my personal experiences, and I am the Chair of Trans-E-Motion, a trans nonprofit serving the Central Valley. I am also expecting my first child around Thanksgiving of 2025, after which I will become a 24/7 stay-at-home daddy.
Work Experience
Education
2022-Current, Mastery in Oil Painting and Mixed Media, Milan Art Institute (unaccredited)
Grants & Awards
2021 Winner: Monochrome Art Contest, J. Mane Gallery, online, for Androgynous
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Selected Exhibitions
2024 Group Exhibition, Local Talent, Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, Visalia, CA
2024 Solo Exhibition, Transgender History, Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, Visalia, CA
2024 Solo Exhibition, Trans Magic, Arts Visalia, Visalia, CA
2024 Solo Exhibition, Fresno Arts Council, Fresno, CA
2023 Group Exhibition, TRANScending Talent, Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, Visalia, CA
2023 Group Exhibition, Identity, Arts Visalia, Visalia, CA
2022 Group Exhibition, LGBTQ Artists, The Virtual Gallery, Online
2022 Group Exhibition, Pride Month, Studio 659, Whiting, IN
2021 Group Exhibition, Monochrome, J. Mane Gallery, Online
Teaching Assignments
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2025 Gender Justice X Spray Paint Instructor, Youth Leadership Institute, Fresno, CA
2025 Promoting Your Art on Instagram Instructor, Arts Visalia, Visalia, CA
2023 Art Night Instructor, Fresno EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Fresno, CA
Commissions
2025 Public Mural Commissioned by CalTrans, San Pablo Park, Fresno, CA
2024 Private Mural Commission, acrylic on interior wall, Pam and William, Visalia, CA
2024 Private Painting Commission, mixed media on paper, Kirstin Goodnight
2024 Private Painting Commission, oil portrait on canvas, Jess Fitzpatrick
2024 Commercial Commission, digital, Fresno State Department of Women and Gender Studies
2024 Commercial Commission, digital, Fresno State LGBTQ2+ Studies Minor
2023 Private Mural Commission, spray paint on RV exterior, Delle
2023 Commercial Painting Commission, acrylic & oil on canvas, StylistMis Hair Salon
2023 Private Mural Commission, spray paint on shipping container exterior, Rivka
Schaffner
2023 Private Mural Commission, spray paint and acrylic on interior wall, Stacy Williams
2023 Private Mural Commission by a family member, spray paint on exterior wall
2023 Private Painting Commission, mixed media portrait, Staci Yarborough
2023 Private Painting Commission, oil wedding portrait, Amber Connors
2023 Private Painting Commission, acrylic family portrait, Willy Ahlin
2022 Private Mural Commission by a family member, spray paint on exterior wall
2022 Non-Profit Painting Commission, oil portrait of Daniel Aston, Jess Fitzpatrick on behalf of LGBTQ EOC Resource Center, Fresno, CA
2022 Private Painting Commission, oil portrait, Katie Hanft
2021 Private Drawing Commission, charcoal portrait, Sukey Hayer
2020 Private Painting Commission, watercolor portrait, Staci Yarborough
2019 Private Painting Commission, acrylic portrait, Jessica Hansard
Publications
2024 Androgynous, Listen, and Unbinding, Revue Prostor
2023 Listen and Unbinding, Trans Muted
2023 Damaged, Trans Joy Media
2023 Won't Be Eradicated, J. Mane Gallery
2023 Them Fatale, Cream City Review
2022 Happy Despite…#3, Artwife
2021 Androgynous, J Mane Gallery
2021 untitled digital drawing, Sonora Review
2020 Self-Portrait as Child but with Short Hair and Creations, High Shelf Press
2020 River Eastwood, Aydian Dowling, and Andreja Pejic, The Raw Art Review
2020 River Eastwood, UL-LitMag
2020 Roots, Flumes
2020 Transition, J. Mane Gallery
2020 Pre-T, Beyond Words
2020 Transition and Pre-T, Infinity Room
2017 Colin Borey, Desperation, Fenris, and Nabil Reed, National University’s GNU Journal
