Rebecca Youssef

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had my hands in either dirt or paint. My love of process and undervalued materials and the cultivation of trees from seed is what has sustained and given purpose to my work. I am inspired by wild, untouched lands and carry a deep respect for hand-crafted art. Galvanized by the sustainability movement to protect our planet, my work finds a home in the space where art and environmentalism collide. Whether it’s painting on paper I made by hand or on recycled grocery bags, I tell a story through purposeful materials to stimulate reflection on our reciprocity with nature. My use of homemade inks and papers stand in contrast to the commercially made paints and adhesives I use and symbolize our fractured relationship with the natural world.

As a cultivator of California native oak trees, I was conflicted by my love of working with paper. Repurposing and upcycling items destined for the recycle bin and/or landfill has become the cornerstone of my work. It is my fundamental belief that beautiful things can be made by working with the planet, not taking from it.

Through my commitment to an environmental and creative consciousness, I am guided towards a more sustainable art practice. When I’m not in t...

2006

MA, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA.
Concentration: Art Education
California Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in the Visual Arts

1996

BFA, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Major Concentration: Painting and Ceramics
Minor Studies: Art History and Spanish